Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

Experiences of Special Education Teachers in New York State During COVID-19 Remote Instruction

  • Kimberly F. Colvin, EdD (Author) University at Albany, SUNY image/svg+xml
    Dr. Kimberly F. Colvin is an associate professor in the division of Educational Psychology & Methodology at the University at Albany, SUNY. Dr. Colvin's research focuses on the use of item response theory in the development and analysis of educational and psychological instruments. Prior to joining the faculty, she was a high school mathematics teacher for ten years in central New York.
  • Tammy G. Ellis-Robinson, PhD (Author) University at Albany, SUNY
    Dr. Tammy G. Ellis-Robinson is assistant professor within the Divisions of Special Education and Educational Psychology and Methodology at the University at Albany, SUNY, and the School of Education's Director of Equity and Inclusion. Prior to joining the faculty, she was a special education teacher for students with a range of disabilities in an urban high school and worked in theater education with adults and children with and without disabilities through the Arts Center of the Capital Region. Her research interests include writing, classroom engagement, creativity, and social justice in the classroom. She is the founder and Executive Director of Skribblers Magazine Inc., a local nonprofit promoting literacy and self-expression.
  • Taja R. Young, MS (Author) University at Albany, SUNY
    Ms. Taja Young is a doctoral student in the Division of Educational Psychology and Methodology at University at Albany, SUNY. She holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology and Methodology and is currently working on her dissertation. The dissertation focuses on the educational outcomes of male, African American college students in public universities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She is also an instructor at the University at Albany and has a keen interest in promoting equity, justice, and the empowerment of all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.520
Abstract
This study documented the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of special education teachers in New York State during the COVID-19 period of remote instruction in the spring of 2020 and during the 2020-21 school year. An invitation to complete an online survey about their experiences was sent to a random sample of special education teachers. The responses from 38 participants addressed areas such as relationships and communication with families, technology integration, student success, student engagement, and the extent to which the mandates of students’ Individualized Education Plans were able to be met. Many of the participants reported on both the challenges and successes they had with technology; this included some new teaching techniques and technologies that they planned to continue to use after returning to in-person instruction. While they dealt with a variety of challenges, the teachers’ actions demonstrated professional competence and integrity during this period.
Keywords
Barriers, COVID-19, Distance Education, Educational Technology, Individualized Education Programs, Interpersonal Communication
References

Atiles, J. T., Almodóvar, M., Chavarría Vargas, A., Dias, M. J. A., & Zúñiga León, I. M. (2021). International responses to COVID-19: Challenges faced by early childhood professionals. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 29(1), 66–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2021.1872674 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2021.1872674

Berger, J. & Lê Van, K. (2018): Teacher professional identity as multidimensional: mapping its components and examining their associations with general pedagogical beliefs, Educational Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2018.1446324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2018.1446324

Burkett, J., & Reynolds, D. (2020). Pandemic policy preparedness: Unintentional student discrimination in the wake of COVID-19. School Leadership Review, 15(1), 1-23.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Response Team. Geographic differences in COVID-19 cases, deaths, and incidence—United States, February 12–April 7, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2020; 69:465–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6915e4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6915e4

Council for Exceptional Children (2015). What every special educator must know: Professional ethics and standards. CEC.

Davis, K. (2021). Teaching special education in the midst of COVID-19: Current conditions of delivering special education services during distance learning (Publication No. 1166) [Master’s thesis, California State University]. Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1166

Dobel, J.P. (1999), The ethics of resigning. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 18: 245-263. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6688(199921)18:2<245::AID-PAM3>3.0.CO;2-H DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6688(199921)18:2<245::AID-PAM3>3.0.CO;2-H

Greenway, C. W., & Eaton, T. K. (2020). Parent experiences of home‐schooling children with special educational needs or disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic. British Journal of Special Education, 47(4), 510–535. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12341 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12341

Gudmundsdottir, G. B., & Hathoway, D. M. (2020). We always make it work: Teachers’ agency in the time of crisis. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 28(2), 239–250. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004). DOI: https://doi.org/10.70725/839558bffbol

Landicho, C. J. B. (2021). Changes, challenges, and opportunities in teaching senior high school earth science amidst the covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age, 6(1), 55–57.

Mintrop, H. (2012). Bridging accountability obligations, professional values and (perceived) student needs with integrity. Journal of Educational Administration, 50(5), 695–726. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09578231211249871

Mintrop, H. & Zane, R. (2017). When the achievement gap becomes high stakes for special education teachers: Facing a dilemma with integrity. Teachers College Record, 119, 1-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/016146811711900907

Mitchell, C., (2020, March 19). How will schools provide special education during the coronavirus crisis? Education Week. https://www-edweek-org.libproxy.albany.edu/teaching-learning/how-will-schools-provide-special-education-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/2020/03

New York State. (2020, May 4). Amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Cuomo outlines additional guidelines for when regions can re-open. Retrieved May 9, 2020. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/amid-ongoing-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-outlines-additional-guidelines-when-regions-can

Ofsted (2021). Ofsted’s In-depth Study of Remote Education. (2021). Education Journal Review, 27(1), 45–88. Office of State Comptroller (2021, September). Disruption to Special Education Services: Closing the Gap on Learning Loss from COVID-19. https://www.osc.state.ny.us/files/reports/pdf/special-education-report.pdf

Schuck, R. K., & Lambert, R. (2020). Am I doing enough?: Special educators’ experiences with emergency remote teaching in Spring 2020. Education Sciences, 10(11):320. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10110320 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10110320

Waldron, H. (2017). What’s your teaching identity? Academic Study Kit.

There are 17 references in total.
How to Cite
Colvin, K. F., Ellis-Robinson, T. G., & Young, T. R. (2023). Experiences of Special Education Teachers in New York State During COVID-19 Remote Instruction. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 18(2), 54-75. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.520

Spring/Summer 2023

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted May 10, 2023
  • Published June 15, 2023
  • Issue Spring/Summer 2023
  • Section Articles
  • File Downloads 0
  • Abstract Views 1
  • Altmetrics
  • Share
Download data is not yet available.