How special educators provide reading and writing instruction to secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A national survey of the United States of America

Derek B. Rodgers; Susan J. Loveall

doi:10.3109/13668250.2026.2614681

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How special educators provide reading and writing instruction to secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A national survey of the United States of America

Journal article

Peer reviewed

How special educators provide reading and writing instruction to secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A national survey of the United States of America

Derek B. Rodgers and Susan J. Loveall

Journal of intellectual & developmental disability, pp.1-14

02/16/2026

DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2026.2614681

PMID: 41693393

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Abstract

Background There is limited research regarding teachers’ instructional practices and beliefs around teaching reading and writing skills to secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method Three hundred forty-eight special educators in the United States responded to a survey about their instructional practices, self-efficacy, and beliefs regarding reading and writing instruction. Results Participants reported providing regular reading and/or writing instruction, enjoying and feeling confident in teaching these skills, and believing that reading and writing are important skills for their students. Participants’ self-efficacy and years of experience explained significant variability in their beliefs about whether their students could improve their literacy skills. Conclusion Special educators overwhelmingly agree that reading and writing are important skills and generally indicated that they believe their students can make important gains. Teachers’ beliefs about the malleability of reading and writing skills were related to their sense of self-efficacy in teaching those skills.

Intellectual Disabilities

Secondary Education

Intellectual and developmental disabilities

reading

teachers

writing

Details

Title: Subtitle: How special educators provide reading and writing instruction to secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A national survey of the United States of America
Creators: Derek B. Rodgers - University of Iowa
Susan J. Loveall - University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability, pp.1-14
DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2026.2614681
PMID: 41693393
NLM abbreviation: J Intellect Dev Disabil
ISSN: 1366-8250
eISSN: 1469-9532
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 02/16/2026
Academic Unit: Teaching and Learning
Record Identifier: 9985139480502771

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