Research Studies >> Overview | Study 1 | Study 2 | Study 3 | Study 4

Alternative School Field Visits: In-Depth Examination of Special Education Practice and Students with Disabilities

Purpose

Study 1 and Study 2 of this project will provide information to describe policies and practices that characterize alternative schools and students with disabilities who are accessing them. But, in order to get at more complex information and capture the richness of implementation, we will conduct visits to individual alternative schools. Field visits to a minimum of 5 alternative schools within at least 5 states will be conducted (about 25 schools). Field visits will provide the data and insights needed to comprehensively describe the implementation of a representative range of alternative schools and practices for students with disabilities.

Study 3 will gather information about:

• parent perspectives and student reasons for enrollment in alternative schools.
• educational services (including special education) and quality of instruction.
• special education procedures and processes, and supports.
• outcomes for students with and without disabilities
• student and parent satisfaction with alternative education in general and perceptions of school climate.

Activities

One major activity during the Study 3 will be conducted in order to answer the research questions.

Activity 1. Individual Alternative School Site Visits (about 25).

• Interview key administrative staff.
• Interview students with disabilities and parents of students with disabilities.
• Conduct focus groups with students.
• Conduct document review.
• Administer questionnaires to staff, parents and students.
• Interview key staff from feeder schools.
• Complete an observer rating scale

As these project activities are completed, findings and products will be posted on this Web site.

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