This qualitative study is a follow up to previous research conducted in the year 2001-2002 by Ritu V. Chopra, Director of the PAR²A Center. The previous study’s thrust was on the role of parent-paraeducator collaboration in inclusion of students with Significant Support Needs (SSN) in a local school district. The study revealed that while parent-paraeducator relationships are important, more important is how the SSN teacher supervised and managed the program and the people involved.  In 2004, the district officials informed us that several personnel and programmatic changes had occurred in the SSN programs since the previous study was completed.  They requested we study the impact of changes that had taken place in the program at three sites from the perspectives of parents, SSN teachers, classroom teachers and paraeducators. The findings of this study will make a valuable contribution to the field by revealing positive practices that may be replicated, as well as negative practices that may be avoided by parents, paraeducators, school professionals, administrators, and others who have stake in the inclusive education of students with disabilities.

Evaluation of Inclusive Programs Update

Seventeen in-depth interviews with parents, SSN teachers, classroom teachers and paraeducators have been completed at all three program sites. The data analyses will begin in 2007 . The results of the study will be available in the Summer of 2007. For more information about this study, email Ritu Chopra.