Methodology for Longitudinal Research Study in Special Education
Proposed theme to the research study: Students who have learning or physical disabilities and are mainstreamed into conventional classrooms under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA) are typically believed to benefit from placement. It is accepted in the literature that special needs students achieve emotional, sociological, and educational reinforcement from placement in a conventional classroom. These studies tend to focus on short-term outcomes and explore the correlation between IDEA strategies and their impact on younger students. Longitudinal research efforts might demonstrate that the beneficial aspects of inclusive classroom placement under IDEA are inconclusive in regards to the scope of impact, or are erroneous.
