Special Educators’ Perceptions of High-Leverage Practices

Authors

  • Cynthia Ann Farley, PhD (Author) University of Hawaii at Manoa image/svg+xml
    Cynthia Ann Farley, PhD. Cynthia Farley is the coordinator for the Exceptional Students and Elementary Education dual licensing program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has 20 + years teaching experience in general education and special education classrooms. Her research interests include evidence-based practices, research to practice gap, and teacher preparation.
  • Rhonda S. Black, EdD (Author) University of Hawaii at Manoa
    Rhonda S. Black, EdD. Rhonda Black is a Professor of Special Education at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa where she teaches and conducts research in strategies for adolescents with disabilities, cultural considerations, and media representation of disability. Her primary focus is preparing teachers and education leaders in the field of special education. She also focuses on promoting social competence and community integration for young adults and adults with intellectual disabilities.
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.493
The most effective way to improve the performance of students is to improve the practice of their teachers (McLeskey & Brownell, 2015). Teachers must provide highly effective, research-based instruction responsive to the unique needs of students with disabilities for quality outcomes to occur. High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) were developed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as a list of research-based practices that special educators should be able to successfully implement. A mixed methods design was used to investigate the perceptions of special educators who teach in Hawaii regarding HLPs in the area of instruction. Outcomes indicated that special education teachers in Hawai’i perceived themselves to be knowledgeable and skilled in the majority of the HLPs, however there were numerous barriers preventing them from implementing the practices on a regular basis.

Antia, S. D. (1999). The roles of special educators and classroom teachers in an inclusive school. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 4(3), 203–214. http://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/4.3.203 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/4.3.203

Baruch, Y., & Holtom, B. C. (2008). Survey response rate levels and trends in organizational research. Human Relations, 61(8), 1139–1160. http://doi.org/10.1177/0018726708094863 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726708094863

Bausch, M. E., Ault, M. J., & Hasselbring, T. S. (2006). Assistive technology planner: From IEP consideration to classroom implementation. Lexington, KY: National Assistive Technology Research Institute at the University of Kentucky.

Brownell, M. T., Benedict, A. E., Leko, M. M., Peyton, D., Pua, D., & Richards-Tutor, C. (2019). A continuum of pedagogies for preparing teachers to use high-leverage practices. Remedial and Special Education, 40(6), 338–355. http://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518824990 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518824990

Brownell, M. T., Leko, M. M., Kamman, M., & King, L. (2008). Defining and preparing high quality teachers in special education: What do we know from the research. Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities, 21, 35–74. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-004X(08)00002-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-004X(08)00002-5

Buckley, C. (2005). Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships between regular and special education teachers in middle school social studies inclusive classrooms. In T. E. Scruggs & M. A. Mastropieri (Eds.), Cognition and learning in diverse settings: Advances in learning and behavioral disabilities, Vol. 18, (pp. 153–198). Emerald Publishing. .http://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-004X(05)18008-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-004X(05)18008-2

Cancio, E. J., Larsen, R., Mathur, S. R., Estes, M. B., Johns, B., & Chang, M. (2018). Special education teacher stress: Coping strategies. Education and Treatment of Children, 41(4), 457–481. http://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2018.0025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2018.0025

Cobb Morocco, C., & Mata Aguilar, C. (2002). Coteaching for content understanding: A schoolwide model. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 13(4), 315–347. http://doi.org/10.1207/S1532768XJEPC1304_04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532768XJEPC1304_04

Cook, B. G., & Farley, C. (2019). The research-to-practice gap in special education. Current Trends and Legal Issues in Special Education, 110–125. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781071800539.n8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071800539.n8

Cook, Bryan G., McDuffie-Landrum, K. A., Oshita, L., & Cook, S. C. (2011). Co-teaching for students with disabilities. Handbook of Special Education, 187–208. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203837306.ch12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203837306.ch12

Cook, Lynne, & Friend, M. (1995). Co-teaching: Guidelines for creating effective practices. Focus on Exceptional Children, 28. https://doi.org/10.17161/fec.v28i3.6852 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17161/fec.v28i3.6852

Cook, Lysandra, & Simpson-Steele, J. (2018, November 7). Examining high-leverage practices within a merged elementary and special education program. 41st Annual Teacher Educator Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage Publications.

Digest of Education Statistics (2017). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/ch_2.asp

Dole, J. A., Nokes, J. D., & Drits, D. (2009). Cognitive strategy instruction. In G. G. Duffy & S. E. Israel (Eds.), Handbook of research on reading comprehension (pp. 347-372). Erlbaum.

Farley, C., Torres, C., Wailehua, C.-U. T., & Cook, L. (2012). Evidence-based practices for students with emotional and behavioral disorders: Improving academic achievement. Beyond Behavior, 21(2), 37–43.

Florian, L., & Rouse, M. (2014). International perspectives: What can be known about effective inclusive schools? In J. McLesky, N. L. Waldron, Spooner, F. & Algozzine (Eds.), Handbook of effective inclusive schools (pp. 517–530). Routledge. Fowler, F. J. (2009). Survey research methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Gersten, R., Chard, D., & Baker, S. (2000). Factors enhancing sustained use of research-based instructional practices. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 33(5), 445-456. http://doi.org/10.1177/002221940003300505 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002221940003300505

Gersten, R., Compton, D., Connor, C. M., Dimino, J., Santoro, L., Linan-Thompson, S., & Tilly, W. D. (2009). Assisting students struggling with reading: Response to intervention and multi-tier intervention in the primary grades. A Practice Guide. (NCEE 2009-4045). Washington, DC: Institute of Education Sciences, US. Department of Education. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/PracticeGuide/rti_reading_pg_021809.pdf

Grossman, P., & McDonald, M. (2008). Back to the future: Directions for research in teaching and teacher education. http://doi.org/10.3102/0002831207312906 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831207312906

Hardy, S. D. (2001). A qualitative study of the instructional behaviors and practices of a dyad of educators in self-contained and inclusive co-taught secondary biology classrooms during a nine-week science instruction grading period. (Publication Number: AAI3000278) [Doctoral dissertation, George Mason University]. Dissertation Abstracts International.

Kang, H., & Zinger, D. (2019). What do core practices offer in preparing novice science teachers for equitable instruction? Science Education, 103(4), 823-853. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21507 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21507

Klingner, J. K., Vaughn, S., & Boardman, A. (2015). Teaching reading comprehension to students with learning difficulties, 2/E. Guilford Publications.

Konrad, M., Criss, C. J., & Telesman, A. O. (2019). Fads or facts? Sifting through the evidence to find what really works. Intervention in School and Clinic, 54(5), 272-279. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451218819234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451218819234

Landrum, T. J., Cook, B. G., Tankersley, M., & Fitzgerald, S. (2007). Teacher perceptions of the useability of intervention information from personal versus data-based sources. Education and Treatment of Children, 30(4), 27–42. http://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2007.0025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2007.0025

Leko, M. M., Brownell, M. T., Sindelar, P. T., & Kiely, M. T. (2015). Envisioning the future of special education personnel preparation in a standards-based era. Exceptional Children, 82(1), 25–43. http://doi.org/10.1177/0014402915598782 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402915598782

Maheady, L. J., Patti, A. L., Rafferty, L. A., & del Prado Hill, P. (2019). School–university partnerships: One institution’s efforts to integrate and support teacher use of high-leverage practices. Remedial and Special Education, 40(6), 356–364. http://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518812689 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518812689

Martin-Raugh, M. P., Reese, C. M., Tannenbaum, R. J., Steinberg, J. H., & Xu, J. (2016). Investigating the relevance and importance of high-leverage practices for beginning elementary school teachers. Research Memorandum No. RM-16-11.

Educational Testing Service. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED570650

Mastropieri, M. A., Scruggs, T. E., Graetz, J., Norland, J., Gardizi, W., & Mcduffie, K. (2005). Case studies in co-teaching in the content areas: Successes, failures, and challenges. Intervention in School and Clinic, 40(5), 260–270. http://doi.org/10.1177/10534512050400050201 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10534512050400050201

Mastropieri, M., Scruggs, T., & Mills, S. (2011). Special education teacher preparation. In J. Kauffman & D. Hallahan (Eds.), Handbook of special education (pp. 47–58). Routledge.

McLeskey, J., Billingsley, B., Brownell, M. T., Maheady, L., & Lewis, T. J. (2019). What are high-leverage practices for special education teachers and why are they important? Remedial and Special Education, 40(6), 331–337. http://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518773477 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518773477

McLeskey, J., & Brownell, M. (2015). High-leverage practices and teacher preparation in special education. CEEDAR Document No. PR-1. https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/High-Leverage-Practices-and-Teacher-Preparation-in-Special-Education.pdf

McLeskey, J., Maheady, L., Billingsley, B., Brownell, M., & Lewis, T. (2018). High leverage practices for inclusive classrooms. Routledge. http://doi.org/10.4324/9781315176093 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315176093

Morrison, N. J. (2010). The effects of induction, mentoring and local school culture on retention of beginning special education teachers (ED517282) [Doctoral Dissertation, George Mason University]. ERIC. https://eric.ed.gov/?q=ED517282

NCATE. (2010). Transforming teacher education through clinical practice: A national strategy to prepare effective teachers. Report of the Blue Ribbon Panel on clinical preparation and partnerships for improved student learning. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED512807

Osipova, A., Prichard, B., Boardman, A. G., Kiely, M. T., & Carroll, P. E. (2011). Refocusing the lens: Enhancing elementary special education reading instruction through video self-reflection. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 26(3), 158–171. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5826.2011.00335.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5826.2011.00335.x

Pajares, M. F. (1992). Teachers’ beliefs and educational research: Cleaning up a messy construct. Review of Educational Research, 62, 307–332. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543062003307 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543062003307

Rincover, A., & Koegel, R. L. (1975). Setting generality and stimulus control in autistic children 1. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 8(3), 235–246. http://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1975.8-235 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1975.8-235

Sayeski, K. L. (2018). Putting high-leverage practices into practice. Teaching Exceptional Children, 50(4), 169–171. http://doi.org/10.1177/0040059918755021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0040059918755021

Scruggs, T. E., Mastropieri, M. A., & McDuffie, K. A. (2007). Co-teaching in inclusive classrooms: A metasynthesis of qualitative research. Exceptional Children, 73(4), 392–416. http://doi.org/10.1177/001440290707300401 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290707300401

Stokes, T. F., & Baer, D. M. (1977). An implicit technology of generalization 1. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10(2), 349–367. http://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1977.10-349 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1977.10-349

Strauss, A. L. (1987). Qualitative analysis for social scientists. Cambridge University Press. Strauss, A. L. & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research (2nd ed.). Sage Publications. Torres, C., Farley, C. A., & Cook, B. G. (2012). A special educator’s guide to successfully implementing evidence-based practices. Teaching Exceptional Children, 45(1), 64–73. http://doi.org/10.1177/004005991204500109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/004005991204500109

Willis, G. B., & Lessler, J. T. (1999). Question appraisal system QAS-99. Research Triangle Institute. Rockville, MD. http://www.websm.org/uploadi/editor/1364216022Willis_Lessler_1999_QAS_99.pdf

Windschitl, M., Thompson, J., Braaten, M., & Stroupe, D. (2012). Proposing a core set of instructional practices and tools for teachers of science. Science Education, 96(5), 878-903. http://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21027 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21027

There are 45 references in total.
Farley, C. A., & Black, R. S. (2022). Special Educators’ Perceptions of High-Leverage Practices. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 17(2), 111-133. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.493

Downloads

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted April 21, 2022
  • Published June 15, 2022
  • Issue Spring/Summer 2022
  • Section Articles
  • File Downloads 0
  • Abstract Views 0
  • Altmetrics
  • Share
Download data is not yet available.