FAPE and LRE in Online Learning: Special Education Directors’ Perspectives

Diana Greer; Danna Harvey; Paula Burdette; James Basham

doi:10.64546/jaasep.274

FAPE and LRE in Online Learning: Special Education Directors’ Perspectives

Diana Greer, Ph.D., Danna Harvey, M.S., Paula Burdette, Ph.D., James Basham, Ph.D. Author Details

Diana Greer, Ph.D. (Author) Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS Author Biography
Dr. Diana Greer, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Professor at the University of Kansas and has served as the Project Director for the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities since 2012.
Danna Harvey, M.S. (Author) Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS Author Biography
Danna Harvey, M.S. is a Counseling Psychology doctoral student and has worked as a research assistant for the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities since 2012.
Paula Burdette, Ph.D. (Author) Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS Author Biography
Dr. Paula Burdette, Ph.D. is a Site Director for NASDSE and has been involved in various policy forums and analyses related to IDEA topics.
James Basham, Ph.D. (Author) Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS Author Biography
Dr. James Basham, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas with research interests in student learning and UDL application.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.274

Abstract

While the provision of a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) has contributed significantly to the educational experiences of students with disabilities, little is known about how services are actually provided in an online learning setting. Thus, telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted with state directors of special education from 16 states to explore their knowledge of and experiences with FAPE in online learning. After interviews were transcribed, researchers reviewed 15 transcripts to identify common experiences and issues. Preliminary findings indicate that additional guidance or information is needed about FAPE and how to provide related services in an online environment.

Keywords

Administrator Attitudes, Administrator Surveys, Blended Learning, Delivery Systems, Disabilities, Educational Experience

References

Apling, R., & Jones, N. L. (2002). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Overview of major provisions. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://www.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RS20366_01112002.pdf

Barbour, M. K., & Reeves, T. C. (2009). The reality of virtual schools: A review of the literature. Computer & Education 52: 402-416. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2008.09.009. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.09.009

Bernard, R. M., Abrami, P. C., Lou, Y., Borokhovski, E., Wade, A., Wozney, L., … & Huang, B. (2004). How does distance education compare with classroom instruction? A meta-analysis of the empirical literature. Review of Educational Research, 74, 379-439. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543074003379

Bernstein, M. D. (2013). Whose choice are we talking about? The exclusion of students with disabilities from for-profit online charter schools. Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest, 16(3), 487-525. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2203589

Brady, K. P., Umpstead, R. R., & Eckes, S. E. (2010). Unchartered territory: The current legal landscape of public cyber charter schools. Brigham Young University Education and Law Journal, 191-273.

Burdette, P. J., Greer, D. L., & Woods, K. L. (2013). K-12 online learning and students with disabilities: Perspectives from state special education directors. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17(3), 65-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v17i3.327

Cavanaugh, C., Gillan, K. J., Kromrey, J., Hess, M., & Blomeyer, R. (2004). The effects of distance education on K-12 student outcomes: A meta-analysis. Naperville, IL: Learning Point Associates.

Crockett, J. B., & Yell, M. L. (2008). Without data all we have are assumptions: Revisiting the meaning of a free appropriate public education. Journal of Law & Education, 37(3), 381-392. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/wpcontent/uploads/docs/journals/Crockett_Yell_2008.pdf

Horn, M. B., & Staker, H. (2011). The rise of K-12 blended learning. Innosight Institute. Retrieved from www.leadcommission.org Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA). (2004). Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/

PL108-446.pdf Lips, D. (2010). How online learning is revolutionizing k-12 education and benefiting students. Washington, DC: The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/01/how-online-learning-is-revolutionizing-k12-education-and-benefiting-students.

Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2010). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: A meta-analysis and review of online learning studies. Technical Report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

Michelman, B. (2012). The never-ending story of ESEA reauthorization. An Information Brief from ASCD: Policy Priorities, 18(1). Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/policy_priorities/vol18/num01/The_Never-Ending_Story_of_ESEA_Reauthorization.aspx

Müller, E. (2009). Serving students with disabilities in state-level virtual K–12 public school programs. Alexandria, VA: Project Forum, National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Retrieved from www.nasdse.org

Müller, E., & Ahearn, E. (2004). Virtual schools and students with disabilities. National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Retrieved from http://nasdse.org/DesktopModules/DNNspot-Store/ProductFiles/222_0fc44829-b3fd-42bb-ad1e-8f8c38a37d39.pdf

Paige, R., & Gibbons, J. (2004). A guide to education and No Child Left Behind. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/overview/intro/guide/guide.pdf

Picciano, A. G., & Seaman, J. (2009). K-12 online learning: A 2008 follow-up of the survey of U.S. school district administrators. The Sloan Consortium. Retrieved from http://www.calvin.edu/~dsc8/documents/K-12-OnlineLearningFollowUp.pdf

Smith, D. W., Kelly, S. M., & Kapperman, G. (2011). Assistive technology for students with visual impairments: A position paper of the Division on Visual Impairments Council of Exceptional Children. Arlington, VA: Council for Exceptional Children. Retrieved from http://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/SPED/d2199768-679e-41f6-aa2a-e9d3b5b748c8/UploadedImages/Position%20Papers/DVI%20Position%20Paper%20on%20Assistive%20Tech.pdf

Turnbull, H. R. (2005). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act reauthorization: Accountability and personal responsibility. Remedial and Special Education, 26(6), 320-326. Retrieved from http://people.ku.edu/~gmdebarthe/portfolio/courses/ELPS_760/assign_9/idea_2004_files/turnbullonidea_1.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325050260060201

Turnbull, H. R., Stowe, M. J., & Huerta, N. E. (2007). Free appropriate public education: The law and children with disabilities (7th Ed.). Denver, CO: Love Publishing Company.

Turnbull, H. R., & Turnbull, A. P. (2000). Free appropriate public education: The law and children with disabilities (6th Ed.). Denver, CO: Love Publishing Company.

Watson, J. F. (2007). A national primer on k-12 online learning. Retrieved from http://www.inacol.org/cms/wpcontent/uploads/2012/11/iNACOL_NationalPrimerV1_2007.pdf

Watson, J. F., & Kalmon, S. (2005). Keeping pace with K–12 online learning: A review of state-level policy and practice. Naperville, IL: Learning Point Associates. Retrieved from http://www.kpk12.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/KeepingPace_2005.pdf

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2012). Keeping pace with K-12 online & blended learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen Education Group. Retrieved from www.kpk12.com

Watson, J., Murin, A., Vashaw, L., Gemin, B., & Rapp, C. (2013). Keeping pace with K-12 online & blended learning: An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen Education Group. Retrieved from www.kpk12.com

Yell, M. L., Katsiyannis, A., & Hazelkorn, M. (2007). Reflection on the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Board of Education v. Rowley. Focus on Exceptional Children, 39(9), 1-12. Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/documents/pubs/000359_188.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.17161/foec.v39i9.6876

There are 25 references in total. Show More References

How to Cite

Greer, D., Harvey, D., Burdette, P., & Basham, J. (2015). FAPE and LRE in Online Learning: Special Education Directors’ Perspectives. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 10(2), 53-71. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.274