School Characteristics

The characteristics of schools can affect the quality of the education they provide. SEELS could capture many dimensions of schools as part of creating a comprehensive picture of the experiences of students in special education. Possible factors for task force consideration include:

 

Potential research questions related to school characteristics appears in Table 6.

 

Table 6

Potential Research Questions — School Characteristics

 

Descriptive Questions

What types of schools serve students in special education?

How large are schools that serve students in special education?

What are the missions of schools that serve students in special education?

What are the characteristics of the study body in schools attended by students in special education?

What is the school climate and leadership like in schools attended by students in special

What policies and practices related to special education are pursued by schools? E.g., to what extent are schools using pre-referral strategies? What referral processes do schools employ to determine eligibility for special education? What disciplinary policies are enforced?

What placement and service options are available at the schools?

How are IEPs developed and used?

What school-wide reforms have schools implemented and how are students in special education included in them?

What assessment programs are in place? Are students in special education included in school-wide assessments?

What resources are available to and used by students in special education in the schools they attend?

Comparative and Explanatory Questions

How do school characteristics vary among disability categories and for students with different demographic and household characteristics?

How do the schools attended by students in special education compare with those attended by the general student population?

How do school characteristics and policies relate to variations in individual students’ school programs?

What school characteristics are associated with improved student outcomes?

 

 

BACK
NEXT