Special Education

Much of the research in special education has focused on improving the interactions between special education teachers and individual students. “But that’s a kind of myopic lens,” says Elizabeth Bettini, an associate professor of special education. “It ignores everything around that teacher and student that makes those interactions possible. So we focus on systems research.”

That emphasis leads BU Wheelock faculty to explore such issues as policy, preparing leaders as well as teachers in special education, and addressing such critical issues as workforce shortages and inequities in special education services—specifically, how these services are provided to students of color compared to their white peers. Students of color are often under-identified for special education support, and they are more frequently misdiagnosed and receive harsher disciplinary treatment than white students.

Our “grow your own” programs, conducted in partnership with area schools, aim to remedy both staffing shortages and racial disparities in the field. Since paraprofessionals
are more likely to be people of color, we offer courses for paraprofessionals and teachers working on their certifications that are located in the schools where they work.

Similarly, because reading instruction in schools that serve underrepresented minorities tends to be of lower quality and not based on research, BU Wheelock has a tutoring program in reading that sends our students to these schools—providing valuable practicum experience for the students, and free, high-quality tutoring for school districts.

We also conduct high-potential research into, for example, the connections between mental health and educational success and how parents and educators work together to support family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities

How You Can Lead

• Support the recruitment of special education teachers from underrepresented communities by endowing a graduate scholarship with a preference for these students
• Create research fellowships in an area of interest
• Fund practicums in reading instruction or other areas of special education
• Underwrite a “grow your own” program for special education paraprofessionals in a local district