[abstract]
"The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed across rural, urban, and suburban environments when special education teachers reported perceived levels of student and parent involvement and participation during IEP meetings. The investigators surveyed special education teachers (N= 159) across a Southwest state and applied log linear analyses to show possible differences in groups. Special education teachers in rural environments reported significantly higher rates of parent and student involvement and participation in IEP meetings than their counterparts in urban and suburban environments. Results are discussed and suggestions and implications for practitioners are provided."
[excerpted recommendations]
The researchers recommend that educators learn collaboration skills through pre-service preparation or in-service professional development.
While this research noted greater student and parent participation in rural districts, the value of greater collaboration may be realized in all contexts.