What Does It Take to Become a High-Performing Special Education Planning District?

Abstract

As the NCLB deadline for having all students proficient in reading and math approaches, schools are becoming increasingly anxious to promote success on high stakes tests for their students with disabilities. Embedded in a larger study of the potential effect of governance structures on the achievement of students with disabilities, this study examines how Indiana’s high-performing special education planning districts are able to promote achievement on the part of students with disabilities. Four themes are found in high-performing districts: ownership of student performance, teacher self-efficacy, child centeredness, and belongingness of special education staff.