Program
K-12 Administration Ed.D.
Number of Pages
177
Year Approved
2025
First Advisor
Meg Cavalier
Second Reader
Krista Soria
Third Reader
Peggy McCormick
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between students who receive special education services and students who do not, their perception of care from adults and peers, and their future outlook. Students want to feel care from adults and peers. Positive relationships lead to increased confidence and a stronger sense of self. The culmination of interactions with others forms an individual’s identity. A healthy identity and strong sense of self lead to a positive outlook for the future. This study analyzed the perception of care from adults and peers and the future outlook between middle school students who do and do not receive special education services. Students’ self-reported race and gender were considered when analyzing student responses. This study employed a quantitative analysis of the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey data, which focused on fifth- and eighth-grade students’ responses to perceived care from adults and peers and the students’ thoughts on their future outlook. The results of two different independent samples’ t-tests showed significant differences in perception of care and future outlook between students who receive special education services and those who do not. The results of 16 different independent samples’ t-tests showed significant differences in perception of care and future outlook among different races between students who receive special education services and those who do not. The results of 22 different independent samples’ t-tests showed significant differences in perception of care and future outlook among different genders between students who receive special education services and those who do not.
Degree Name
Education Doctorate
Document Type
Doctoral dissertation
Recommended Citation
Dobbins, T. (2025). The Impact of a Label: The Relationship Between Perception of Care and Outlook of Future Aspirations as Influences of Identity for Students Who Receive Special Education Services [Doctoral dissertation, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1148
Terms of Use and License Information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.