Charter Schools As Leverage for Special Education Reform

LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations Fall October 2013 Charter Schools as Leverage for Special Education Reform Tommy Chang Loyola Marymount University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd Part of the Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, and the Special Education and Teaching Commons Recommended Citation Chang, Tommy, "Charter Schools as Leverage for Special Education Reform" (2013). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations. 210. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/210 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY Charter Schools as Leverage for Special Education Reform by Tommy Chang A dissertation presented to the Faculty of the School of Education, Loyola Marymount University, in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education 2013 Charter Schools as Leverage for Special Education Reform Copyright © 2013 by Tommy Chang Loyola Marymount University School of Education Los Angeles, CA 90045 This dissertation written by Tommy Chang, under the direction of the Dissertation Committee, is approved and accepted by all committee members, in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS With sincere gratitude, I would like to acknowledge and thank the people who have helped, guided, challenged, and supported me throughout this process. Dr. Shane P. Martin, my dissertation committee chair, whose is a beacon of positivity and hope, whose thoughtful advice is always appreciated and heeded. Dr. Drew Furedi, my friend, whose is always a dependable thought partner in work and life. Dr. Emilio Pack, my colleague, whose passion for high quality instruction for our youth inspires me regularly. To my LMU professors and professional colleagues for setting an example of social justice, action, and scholarship. iii DEDICATIONS To my mother Tu-Mei for her unrelenting expectations; To my wife Julie for her constant love and understanding; To my daughter Vi for always reminding me about the importance of a positive spirit; To my friends and colleagues who have always believed in me; I thank you all for accompanying me through this wonderful journey. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................iii Dedications... ......................................................................................................................iv List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ...................................................................................................................viii Abstract ...............................................................................................................................ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................1 Background ..........................................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................................5 Overview of Knowledge Base .............................................................................................9 Charters in California ...............................................................................................9 Special Education in California Charter Schools ...................................................13 Special Education in LAUSD Charters ..................................................................15 A Major Policy Change .....................................................................................................19 Purpose and Significance of Study ....................................................................................23 Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................................24 Key Research Questions ....................................................................................................34 Research Design and Methodology ...................................................................................34 Limitations, Delimitations, and Biases ..............................................................................36 Organization of Dissertation ..............................................................................................47 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................48 CHAPTER 2: METHODS .................................................................................................40 Introduction ........................................................................................................................40 Research Questions ............................................................................................................41 Study Design .....................................................................................................................43 Selection Process ..............................................................................................................45 Procedures .........................................................................................................................47 Summary ...........................................................................................................................48 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS / FINDINGS ............................................................................49 Introduction ........................................................................................................................49 Participants .........................................................................................................................51 Results and Findings: Round One Interviews ....................................................................53 Results and Findings: Quantitative Data ............................................................................65 Results and Findings: Round Two Interviews ...................................................................71 Summary ...........................................................................................................................79 CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS .....................................................80 Introduction .......................................................................................................................80 Research Questions ...........................................................................................................83 v Discussion of the Conceptual Framework .........................................................................88 Implications for Future Research .......................................................................................92 Implications for Public School Policy ...............................................................................94 APPENDIX A: INTERVIEW #1 PROTOCOL ...............................................................98 APPENDIX B: QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION ...........................................100 APPENDIX C: TABLE 2- SUMMARY OF QUANTITATIVE DATA .......................101 APPENDIX D: INTERVIEW #2 PROTOCOL .............................................................102 REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................103 vi LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Interview Participants .........................................................................................45 Table 2. Summary of Quantitative Data, By Totals ..........................................................66 Table 3. Summary of Quantitative Data, By Percentages ................................................68 Table 2. Summary of Quantitative Data, By Totals and Percentages of High and Low Incidence Students ...............................................................................70 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. The reorganization diagram for the restructuring of LAUSD’s SELPA ...........21 Figure 2. Conceptual Framework for LAUSD SELPA Reorganization ...........................27 Figure 3. Study Design Process ........................................................................................44 Figure 4. Policy Instruments .............................................................................................65 viii ABSTRACT Charter Schools as Leverage for Special Education Reform by Tommy Chang Few studies have examined the intersection of charter school and special education policies. The concerns around the serving of special education students in charter schools must be carefully studied, especially as charter schools continue to grow in numbers and continue to serve a greater percentage of public school students. New policies must not only address equity in access for special education students in charter schools but must also study how charter

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