letters were sent to the principals of six elementary schools. The letter (Appendix 1) briefly
described the focus of this study and asked principals to inform their special education teachers
of this opportunity to participate.
By March 22, special education teachers from three of the five school districts had selfselected
to be participants in this study. On March 30, the first focus group was held with 11
teachers representing school district A (buildings A and B) and school district B. This 1.5 hours
focus group session was tape recorded by the primary researcher. An observer (a graduate
student in special education from Duquesne University) took observational notes and helped the
primary researcher record highlights of the discussion on large poster paper hung around the
walls of the conference room.
On April 3, a fourth set of special education teachers agreed to participate in the study.
On April 6, the second focus group was held with 6 teachers representing District C and D. This
1.5 hours focus group was tape recorded by the primary researcher and attended by a graduate
student observer. The fifth school district did not respond to any requests to participate in this
study.
Each participant was handed a folder upon their arrival with the demographic form to be
completed on site (see Appendix 2), blank paper for note-taking, and a description of the log
teachers had agreed to keep over the course of the next week. The facilitator and research
assistant created a welcoming environment by greeting participants and offering refreshments,
setting the tone for a relaxed and comfortable interview. Teachers began by filling out
demographic information sheets, and then they participated in the focus group interview. Each
group interview was tape-recorded and later transcribed. In addition, the research assistant took
notes that included speaker changes, summaries of responses, and nonverbal emphases that were