Date
2-28-2025
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Sherrita Rogers
Keywords
Special education, juvenile justice system, recidivism, juvenile detention facility, special education incarceration
Disciplines
Education | Special Education and Teaching
Recommended Citation
Piskurich, Karli M., "A Transcendental Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Special Educators Working in a Juvenile Detention Center" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6511.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6511
Abstract
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of special educators working in a juvenile detention facility, and their perceptions of the relation of juveniles with disabilities to recidivism. Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences guided this study, as it allows educators to provide differentiated and individualized instruction to incarcerated youth with disabilities. A secondary theory used was Skinner’s behaviorist theory, as educators of students with disabilities implement various behavioral strategies pertaining to the students’ needs. With respect to the purpose and theories, the central research question that guided this study was, “What are educators’ experiences when they implement educational and behavioral supports for students with disabilities in Juvenile Detention Facilities?” As special education requires individualized education programs, Gardner’s theory plays a crucial role in providing all students with an education that meets their individual and specific needs. Data were collected through individual interviews with educators, surveys, and a letter. The data were analyzed with coding and phenomenological reduction to determine themes and the essence of the phenomenon. The findings of this study revealed that although educators value the experiences that they have in this job, they subsequently desire more support in a specific area (i.e., academic or behavioral support, administrative support, outside stakeholder relationships).
