Congratulations to Jacqueline Chan Chee who on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, successfully defended her dissertation proposal.
The title of Jacqueline's dissertation is "TEACHER PREPARATION FOR INSTRUCTING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS."
Overview of Problem: As inclusive education continues to expand, high school teachers are increasingly expected to meet the diverse academic, social, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities within general education classrooms. However, research indicates that many novice secondary special education teachers feel underprepared to effectively implement inclusive practices, particularly in secondary settings where instructional demands are more complex and content-specific.
Research Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how teacher preparation programs equip novice secondary special education teachers with the competencies necessary to instruct students with disabilities in inclusive high school classrooms. Grounded in competence theory, this study examines how knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of learning influence teacher readiness and instructional practice.
Research Design: This study employs a qualitative interpretive inquiry design to understand teachers’ lived experiences and perceptions of their preparation and practice.
Sample: Participants include approximately 10–15 novice special education teachers, with a purposeful sample of four selected for in-depth interviews and classroom observations.
Data Collection: Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Data will be analyzed using a thematic coding process that incorporates both inductive and deductive approaches, supported by analytic memos and constant comparison.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Dr. Peter Troiano
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Dr. Yiping Wan
Dr. Victoria Fantozzi
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