ERIC Number: EJ1185337
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Aug
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0731-9487
EISSN: N/A
Students with Learning Disabilities in Inquiry-Based Science Classrooms: A Cross-Case Analysis
McGrath, Allison L.; Hughes, Marie Tejero
Learning Disability Quarterly, v41 n3 p131-143 Aug 2018
Students with learning disabilities (LD) often receive instruction in general education science classrooms. However, little is known about the academic success of students with LD in this setting. As inquiry-based science instruction has become more prominent, research focusing on student learning is needed to explore how such instruction meets students' needs. To address this, a cross-case analysis was conducted. It included six middle school students, each with LD, from a Midwestern city. Each student was enrolled in a general education science class that used inquiry-based instruction. Data sources included student and educator interviews, classroom observations, and student portfolios. Results indicated that most of the students with LD had difficulty acquiring science process knowledge and that students relied on peer supports to facilitate their learning. Findings extend the research on science instruction for students with LD in middle school classrooms using inquiry-based instruction.
Descriptors: Learning Disabilities, Inquiry, Active Learning, Success, Science Instruction, Special Needs Students, Middle School Students, General Education, Interviews, Portfolio Assessment, Science Process Skills, Peer Influence, Teaching Methods, Instructional Effectiveness, Inclusion, Educational Strategies, Observation
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A