Rural Special Education Quarterly

Rural special education research is necessary to demonstrate effective practices for rural students, teachers, schools, and communities. However, the majority of educational research is conducted in urban and suburban U.S. schools, which may not generalize adequately to rural locales. Rural special education teacher and student experiences are distinct, and the body of research highlighting their experiences is lacking in multiple ways (e.g., description, rigor). Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches when conducting rural special education research allows for a greater understanding of what works, and for whom, in rural communities. This article shares three mixed-methods approaches (i.e., convergent mixed methods, explanatory sequential mixed methods, and exploratory sequential mixed methods) that are useful for conducting special education research in collaboration with rural constituents. Exemplars, recommendations, and resources are provided.

Rural schools are important service centers that play a valuable and critical role serving children with disabilities in rural communities, and it is imperative rural schools provide high-quality and effective special education services. However, rural schools face significant challenges that are likely to affect the quality of special education services and need support that can assist district-level decision-makers to select effective interventions that can be feasibly implemented in rural schools. This article reviews how economic evaluation methods can be used by rural schools to address some of the implementation barriers they face and facilitate the adoption and implementation of interventions that can be feasibly and effectively implemented in rural schools. Four economic evaluation methods, cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, benefit–cost analysis, and cost–utility analysis, are described, as well as how these methods align with implementation barriers faced in rural schools. Implications for rural school decision-makers, policymakers, and researchers are discussed.

Researchers conducting studies related to special education contexts in rural schools must find ways to account for and consider unique and diverse cultural and contextual factors. In this article, we introduce mixed-methods social network analysis as one way to incorporate the structural and cultural aspects of rurality within a research design. We explain the basic tenets of social network analysis and mixed-methods social network analysis, including theoretical orientation, research focus, and analysis options. Then, we provide possible research topics that could be explored using a mixed-methods social network analysis approach. We conclude with an exemplar including data from rural special educator interviews and networks.

Rural Special Education Quarterly (RSEQ) is a journal that includes articles specific to rural special education and disability services. The journal provides “a forum for presentation of new research findings; description of innovative program models or current best practices; analysis of local, state, and national policies; and discussion of issues and trends for special education and related services personnel working in rural communities.” In keeping with its mission, manuscripts submitted to RSEQ undergo a rigorous peer review process. This article provides an overview of the peer review process and strategies for successfully reviewing manuscripts submitted to RSEQ. The remainder of this paper will provide a description of, and insights into, the review process for RSEQ.

Rural Special Education Quarterly (RSEQ) is a national journal focused on topics and issues in service delivery or personnel preparation in rural special education and disability services. This article provides recommendations and resources for prospective authors who are interested in publishing in RSEQ. The information presented in this article is intended to assist authors who are interested in submitting their work to RSEQ by providing an overview of the manuscript submission, review, and publication process.