The College of Education announces the final Dissertation of

Suzette Payne

for the degree of Doctor of Education

March 31, 2017 at 10:00 am in 123R Ball Hall

Major Advisor: Reginald Leon Green, EdD

AN EXAMINATION OF THE SUPERVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTION IN URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study is to examine the supervision of special education instruction in urban public elementary schools by interviewing three principals regarding roles in the supervisory process. The researcher attempted to identify themes for principals in identifying effective strategies. This study was qualitative in nature and utilized a case study method. It investigated the supervision of special education instruction, needs addressed by supervision, circumstances causing supervision to be conducted the way it is, and implementation barriers. The research topic and five questions yielded five major themes that represented the competencies principals need to effectively supervise special education programs.