A case study of administrators' perspectives concerning least restrictive environment for special education students

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2014-05

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Abstract

ABSTRACT An abstract of the dissertation of Jenny Simpson Bennett for the degree of Doctorate of Education Leadership: presented March 24, 2014. Title: A Case Study of Administrator’s Perspectives Concerning Least Restrictive Environment for Special Education Students. Early historical accounts reveal the treatment of students with special needs as sometimes guided by superstitions and fear. As early as the 1800’s, students who experienced mental and/or physical challenges were not given equal opportunity to attend the same schools as their non-disabled peers. Over time, the historical accounts of students with special needs show a progression toward including these students more frequently with their non-disabled peers.
In more recent years, the guiding force for the treatment of special needs children has been mandated by governmental legislation. The United States Congress, in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), gives guidelines for the appropriate educational placement of students with special needs, which require each student to be placed in the least restrictive environment with their non-disabled peers. Legislation suggests special education students are to be included with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate. It is the responsibility of the courts to interpret what is appropriate, and the school administrator’s responsibility to carry out the intentions of the law.
The intent of this case study wass to examine the role of the school administrators’ decision making concerning the placement of students with special needs in the least restrictive environment. This study examined three aspects of school administrators’ decision making. First, how well versed are administrators in special education law? Second, how do administrators frame their decisions concerning least restrictive environment using the Bolman and Deal model of framing? Third, according to the Dreyfus model, how does the administrator’s level of experience influence the individual’s chosen method of framing decision concerning the placement of students with disabilities? It is the author’s hope that the findings from this study will broaden the understanding about administrator’s cognitive processes in decision making. By understanding how administrators make decisions, progress will be made in the direction of how to make best placement decisions for special needs students. Ultimately it is the researcher’s hope that the study will lead to other important studies where decision- making is studied in greater detail as it relates to the placement of special education students.

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Keywords

School administration, Special education, Least restrictive environment

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