Date of Award

1-24-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Educational Leadership, Ed.D.

First Advisor

Topeka Singleton

Committee Members

Debra Smith; Lonnie Williams; Topeka Singleton

Call Number

LD 251 .A566d 2023 P37

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how secondary co-teachers’ experiences influenced their attitudes when co-teaching students with a reading disability in the co-taught classroom. A total of seven secondary co-teachers were selected to represent the population for this study. Bandura’s (1977) self-efficacy theory provided the framework to synthesize co-teachers’ perceptions of their experiences influencing their attitudes and self-efficacy when teaching students with a specific learning disability in reading. An interview protocol was the sole basis for the data collection instrument. This study sought to explore how secondary co-teachers describe their experiences in the co-teaching classroom, influencing their perceptions of their attitudes when co-teaching students with a specific learning disability in reading. The phenomenological method ensured that the lived experiences of the phenomenon were discussed in depth to uncover the details of the co-teachers’ descriptions of their experiences influencing their attitudes toward teaching students with a reading disability. The three research questions aligned with Bandura’s (1977) self-efficacy theory of mastery experiences and vicarious experiences guided the interview questions. The co-teachers’ descriptions were coded and organized into seven themes and 13 sub-themes. The emerging themes provided two recommendations for practice in supporting co-teachers’ experiences in the co-teaching classroom to allow better outcomes for secondary students with a reading disability. The key findings from this study may contribute to educational research by raising awareness of secondary co-teachers’ perceptions of their experiences influencing their attitudes toward teaching students with a reading disability. Keywords: co-teachers, specific learning disability, reading, teacher attitudes, co-teaching experiences, teacher perceptions, co-teach classrooms

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