TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT DECISIONS FOR PUPILS WITH EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIORAL-DISORDERS

We conducted intensive group interviews with 11 special education and 3 general education teachers regarding the educational placement of pupils with emotional or behavioral disorders. We sorted the teachers' comments to identify their views on recurring topics. Major themes emerging from the interviews included (a) teachers have diverse opinions about placement alternatives, (b) schools are faced with problems they are not able to handle, (c) administrative procedures often impede appropriate services, (dl collaboration and support among those making placement decisions and providing services are often lacking, and (e) teachers feel they have little influence in placement decisions. We discuss implications for practice and further research.