Research
Research Goal:
The ICARE Schools research team worked with two middle-grades schools to identify strategies for actively engaging diverse families in the education of their children with disabilities. Through in-depth study of these schools, the team explored the relationship between meaningful parent involvement and the success of students with disabilities.
Inclusion of Multiple Points of View:
Quantitative and qualitative methods provided the research team with varied perspectives on the school. Families, particularly those of children with disabilities, provided their viewpoints on the school and on parent involvement through the survey, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, including in-depth-interviews with focus families. We were especially interested in gaining the viewpoints of families who often do not have a voice due to economic circumstances, educational attainment, cultural/linguistic differences, and/or immigrant status.
Teachers provided their viewpoints through the survey and interviews, and interviews with school leaders provided an administrator perspective. We will capture students' ideas and opinions through the survey, focus groups, and interviews.
The projectis currently analyzing the data and working with national organizations, school networks, and parent organizations to share the results of the study with schools, families, policymakers, and researchers across the country. The voices of families of students with disabilities will be highlighted in case studies and vignettes.
