Dissertation
MEET THEM AT THE DOOR: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES WITH SUCCESS AND BELONGING
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
2026
Abstract
Abstract
Donna Ravenberg, Ph.D.Washington State University
May 2026
Chair: Michael Dunn
Education is a human right, and students with disabilities have the right to learn alongsidetheir non-disabled peers (Hehir, 2002; McPhail & Freeman, 2005). Students’ educational
academic and social outcomes need to be the leading factor regarding these crucial decisions
(Cole et al., 2021; Joshi & Bouck, 2017; Palmer et al., 2020). Students with learning disabilities
in this study received specially designed instruction on a continuum of services and placements
spanning from no removal from general education up to 20-25% of their school day. Students
who were also designated as English Language Learners received additional targeted language
services resulting in more time out of the general education environment. The decision to pull a
student out of general education to work on specific skills was done with the intention of
increasing student academic and/or social success. High school students provide insight on their
personal experiences with IEP services and placements highlighting classes and teachers where
they feel successful and where they feel belonging. Those teachers share aspects of their
classroom environment and strategies they use to help students be successful. The student’s
parents share beliefs regarding their child’s success in school.
Findings indicated that students feel most success and belonging in school when they
have a positive relationship with their teacher, have peers they connect with in class, and they
like the subject. They identified general education settings where they learn and feel
comfortable. The teachers made efforts to know their students, build relationships based on trust
and respect, had high disability awareness, and utilized research-based strategies such as
Universal Design for Learning, removing barriers, and collaboration. Parents placed trust in the
school and wanted their children to grow socially, attain good grades, and have a good job after
high school.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- MEET THEM AT THE DOOR: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES WITH SUCCESS AND BELONGING
- Creators
- Donna Ravenberg
- Contributors
- Michael Dunn (Advisor)Holly Whittenburg (Committee Member)Deanna Day-Wiff (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Teaching and Learning
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 102
- Identifiers
- 99901393898601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation