Experiences of General Education Elementary Inclusion Co-Teachers in Successful Schools: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of general education elementary school inclusion co-teachers in schools that are successful with their special education population as defined by Adequate Yearly Progress and most recently, the College and Career Ready Performance Index. The participants were employed in a district in the metro Atlanta area. The primary research question was, "What are the experiences of general education teachers in inclusion and co-teaching classrooms in schools that have met Adequate Yearly Progress and College and Career Ready Performance Index for students with disabilities?" The three sub-questions addressed the self-efficacy, motivation, and perceptions of the teachers. Data collection included interviews, participant journals, and a focus group. Analysis followed procedures for a transcendental phenomenological study as outlined by Moustakas (1994). Four themes emerged regarding their experiences: (a) putting forth the effort to be life-long learners, (b) valuing the power of relationships, (c) thriving off of student success, and (d) setting aside frustrations and understanding the big picture.