Degree Name

M.Ed. (Master of Education)

Program

Special Education

Date of Award

12-2020

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Sara Beth Hitt

Committee Members

Pamela Mims, Lori Marks, Andrew Dotterweich

Abstract

Bullying is a serious problem on its own but emerging research suggests that bullying may present differently in students with disabilities and affect them more severely than previously thought. The purpose of this study was to explore the multi-layered issue of bullying involving students with disabilities, examine the programs and legislation developed around this issue, and determine the training and knowledge teachers and teacher candidates have regarding the problem. An exploratory survey was completed by 105 teachers and teacher candidates in northeast Tennessee. Descriptive statistics and T-tests revealed that in-service teachers were more knowledgeable in identification of bullying and the components of Tennessee’s anti-bullying law than pre-service teachers. Additionally, this study found that elementary teachers answered more general bullying knowledge questions correctly than upper grade teachers. The limited utilization of evidence-based bullying prevention and intervention programs and strategies was also noted. Implications for teacher training programs will be discussed.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by Molly Henry

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