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Abstract

Professional development (PD) experiences for special education teachers are designed to facilitate teacher learning and the implementation of evidence-based practices. PD should also make a positive impact on the K-12 students with disabilities that are in participating teachers' classrooms. In this study, the author investigates the outcomes of the use of a project-based online PD approach with in-service teachers of students with disabilities. In particular, the study focuses on the effects of the PD on K-12 students with disabilities in the participating teachers' classrooms. The findings from the qualitative study indicate that each of the four student participants improved in the area of performance that was targeted by the teachers' PD. The analysis suggests that this approach to PD positively affects participating teachers' instructional practices and the performance of K-12 students with disabilities.

Keywords

professional development on-line special education collaborative learning communities

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An Analysis of Online Professional Development and Outcomes for Students With Disabilities

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