Crowdsource Science: Science Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities
In 2022, the Special Education Research Accelerator received funding from the National Science Foundation’s EDU Core Research (ECR) program to launch Crowdsource Science, a nationally representative observation study focused on investigating science education for fourth and fifth graders with learning disabilities. This comprehensive study involves collecting survey data, audio recordings, permanent products, classroom observations, and interviews. By analyzing instructional practices and student engagement, the project aims to illuminate what science instruction looks like for students with learning disabilities, addressing the documented achievement gap and providing insights to better support these learners.
The first year of data collection, during the 2023-2024 school year, has laid a strong foundation for the project. We partnered with 18 SERA Research Partners across the country to collect data from 29 teachers in 19 schools across 14 states. These teachers provided invaluable insights into the type of science instruction received by fourth and fifth grade students with learning disabilities. This initial phase has been crucial in establishing a comprehensive understanding, and we eagerly anticipate a second year of data collection to deepen our insights and continue advancing our goals.
For more details, visit the ECR Hub project page.
The above infographic was presented at the 2024 ECR PI Meeting in Arlington, Virginia.