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Degree

Doctor of Education, Ashland University, College of Education, 2008.

Abstract

This dissertation examined perceptions of collaboration from the perspectives of parents of children with disabilities and service providers. Fourteen parents of sixteen children with identified disabilities were individually interviewed about their collaborative experiences with school personnel. Service providers who were recommended by parents as exemplifying positive collaborative models were interviewed. Findings suggested that collaboration produces a consistent educational program for students with special learning needs. The data further suggested that service providers take the initiative in developing trust on the part of parents through regular and frequent communication, a demonstrated knowledge of disabilities, and empathy and respect for the unique situations of families of children with disabilities. Stories about two families' experiences with special education illustrated successful and unsuccessful collaboration.

Subject Headings

Special education

Keywords

collaboration; special education; inclusion; disabilities; parents

Committee / Advisors

Carla Edlefson, PhD (Advisor)
Deborah Cochran, PhD (Committee Member)
Allison Dickey, EdD (Committee Member)

Pages

169p.

Document number: ashland1230150684
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ashland1230150684

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