The Impact of Inclusive Practices

Students with Disabilities in General Education Classrooms:
Their Experiences and Impact

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI) funded this study through an IDEA Discretionary Grant beginning in Summer 1999 and continuing through the 2000-2001 school year. The impetus was twofold: (1) WDPI had established a task force to explore caseload issues in special education. A related issue raised by that task force was the question of the impact of special education students on general education settings; and (2) a similar question asked by the School Board and Strategic Planning Committee of a Wisconsin school district.

The purpose of the study was to compare the experiences of students with disabilities to that of their non-disabled peers, as well as to examine their impact of the general education classrooms. The study had 3 key components: observational data, staff surveys, and social network data. Achievement data was also collected and analyzed, but those results have limited significance (see Part X). The observational data was collected in grades K through 12, while social network data was gathered in all classrooms grades 3 through 6. Study data was only collected in regular education settings and not in self-contained or pull-out programs.

The summary report is posted here in 10 sections.   It is important to remember that this is a report to the school district, not a research article for a professional journal.  The name of the school district has been changed to ensure confidentiality for the students and staff.  The sections are as follows:

I.	Background and Introduction
II.	Staff Beliefs and Attitudes
III.	Observational Data
IV.	Social Networks and Student Friendship Patterns
V.	Assignment of Students with Disabilities to Regular Education Classrooms
VI.	Key findings — Multiple Regressions
VII.	Summary Chart of Significant Findings by Category
VIII.	Summary Chart of Significant Findings by Level
IX.	Operational Definitions of Codes
X.	Achievement Data

Research Team:

Lynn Boreson	Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Christina Chrouser	University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire
William Frankenberger, Ph.D.	University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire
Allen Keniston, Ph.D.	University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire
Jennifer Loncola	University of Illinois — Chicago
Donita O’Donnell	Independent Consultant
Robert Rau	Independent Consultant
Richard Van Acker, Ed.D.	University of Illinois — Chicago

For questions about this information, contact Lynn A. Boreson (608) 266-1218

Last updated on 2/22/2008 1:25:10 PM