From Data to Direction: Advancing Leadership Through General And Special Education Administrators' and Educators’ Perspectives by Comparing Results of The State of the Special Education Profession Surveys (3rd Edition)
(Room 553 A/B)
12 Nov 26
2:45 PM
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3:45 PM
Tracks:
Putting Research Into Practice:Evidence for Impact
This presentation provides an overview of the results of the State of the Profession Educator and Administrator Surveys by comparing perspectives on personnel preparation to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities, classroom/assessment, instructional, intervention, and management practices, school or district-wide approaches to meeting the needs of students with exceptionalities, parent and family engagement, educator evaluations, and demographics. Included are data specific to IEP implementation, time, fostering of a sense of belonging, mental health practices, and trauma-informed interventions. Recommendations will be made for policies and practices driven by the survey findings to advance inclusive cultures and policies and enhance communication between administrators and educators. Challenges to special education include increased diversity within student populations, the need to support the implementation of collaborative, inclusive practices, monitoring efficacious IEP implementation, engaging evidence-based instructional strategies that increase student learning outcomes, and improve the sense of belonging and mental health/wellbeing. Key findings highlight the leadership themes below: ● The role and impact of the IEP. ● Leaders’ and educators’ perceptions of their competency in implementing recommended practices. ● The importance of leaders and educators engaging families and fostering a communal sense of belonging. ● System-level supports that create inclusive cultures. ● Critical resources and professional conditions, including time, required for leadership success. Discussion includes comparisons between general and special education leaders and educators in relation to demographic variables. These data will expand thinking about how to meet the needs of leaders and educators, so they are prepared to effectively support the implementation of the IEP and instruction of students with disabilities and the families they serve.