Dr. Jacqueline Specht, PhD

Professor & Director, Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education - Applied Psychology

Dr. Jacqueline Specht, PhD

Professor & Director, Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education - Applied Psychology

I am the director of the Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education. My research interests encompass pedagogical issues with the participation of children in the school system. Currently, my research investigates the efficacy of newly graduated teachers for teaching in diverse classrooms. I have supervised graduate student research in the areas of assistive technology, IEP development, and teacher and student experiences in inclusive classrooms.

Faculty Assistant: Dianne Nemcek

Research

Start Date End Date Principal Investigator Co-Investigator Granting Agency Title Total Amount
2016 2018 Steve Sider K. Maich, J. Specht, A. AuCoin, S. Bennett, & D. McGhie Richmond SSHRC Insight Development Grant Exploring principal leadership for inclusion of students with special education needs in Canadian schools $43,726
2015 2018 Kathy Hibbert J. Rowsell, M. Kalantzis, S.Rich, W. Cope, D. Dinevski, J. Specht, K. Black, L. Iannacci, R. Chhem, R. Martellaci, & R. Henderson SSHRC Partnership Development Grant 21st-century literacies:  research and development of a "cloud curriculum" $198,353
2015 2020 Jacqueline Specht 23 investigators across Canada SSHRC Insight Grant The Development of Inclusive Educational Practices for Beginning Teachers $488,800
2012 2012 Jacqueline Specht 23 investigators across Canada SSHRC (PG LOI) Borrowing from Architecture: Universal Design for Inclusion and Learning $19,800

In The News

Recent Publications

Journal Articles

Koenig, A., Rodger, S & Specht, J. (in press) Educator burnout and compassion fatigue - A pilot study. Canadian Journal of School Psychology

Specht, J. (2016). Pre-service teachers and the meaning of inclusion. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 16, 894–895. doi:10.1111/1471-3802.1_12347

Meek, F., Specht, J., & Rodger. S (2016). A mental health training format for adult education teachers. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, (first published April 26 as doi:: 10.1177/0829573516645099).

Specht, J., Mc-Ghie-Richmond, D., Loreman, T., Aylward, L., Bennett, S., Gallagher, T., Katz, J., Lyons, W., Metsala, J., Mirenda, P., Thompson, S., Young, G., & Cloutier, S. (2016). Preservice teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching in inclusive classrooms: A cross Canada perspective. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 20, 1–15. (online version published 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2015.1059501)

King, G., Specht, J., Petersen, P., Servais, M., Bartlett, D., Stewart, S., Young, G., & Brown, H. (2014). The development of expertise in children’s therapists and teachers: Changes in perspective and approach. Educational Research, 56, 277-294.

Specht, J. (2013). Introduction to the special issue: What is inclusive education in Canada? Canadian Journal of Education, 36, 1-2.

Specht, J. (2013). School Inclusion: Are we getting it right? Education Canada, 53(2), 16-19.

Specht, J. (2013). Mental health in schools: Lessons learned from exclusion. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 28, 43-55.

Specht, J., King, G., Servais, M., Kertoy, M., & Spencer, T. (2011) School roles: A way to Investigate participation. Exceptionality Education International, 21, 2-14.

Chapters In Books

Copfer, S. & Specht, J. (2014). Measuring effective teacher preparation for inclusion. In C. Forlin & T. Loreman (Eds.), Measuring Inclusive Education. International Perspectives on Inclusive Education: Volume 3, 95-115. Bingley, UK Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Specht, J. & Katz, J. (2014). Perspectives on teaching and student diversity. In J.W. Andrews & J. L. Lupart (Eds.). Diversity education: Understanding and addressing student diversity (pp 127-160). Nelson Publishers

Specht, J. A. (2011). Case commentary on “Bridging the Gap” in G. Porter and D. Smith (Eds.). Exploring inclusive practices through professional inquiry. Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Sense Publishers.

Reports

Specht, J. (Fall 2013). Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education. CAEP/ACP Dialogic on Inclusion.

McGhie-Richmond, D. & Specht, J. (Fall 2013). Teaching in Diverse and Inclusive Classrooms: A Canadian Snapshot of Graduating Teachers/ Enseigner dans une classe inclusive: un portrait canadien des enseignants gradués. CAEP/ACP Dialogic on Inclusion.

Young. G., Specht, J., & Dolmage, M. (Fall 2013). Evidence of Effective High School Inclusion: Research, Resources and Inspiration/ L’inclusion au secondaire, recherche, ressources et Inspiration. CAEP/ACP Dialogic on Inclusion.

Specht, J. & Bennett, S. (Spring, 2013). Some Thoughts on Achieving Inclusive Schooling. Education Watch: Volume 4, Issue 3. Toronto, ON: Inclusive Education Canada.

Riggin, C., & Specht, J. (2011). Using an interactive whiteboard to support a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (Facts To Go, Volume 7 Issue 2). London, ON: Thames Valley Children’s Centre.

Recent Presentations

Specht, J. (2016, December). The beginning teachers study: Development of inclusive practice. Presented at the Ontario Council For Exceptional Children Provincial Conference, Toronto, Canada.

Copfer Terreberry, S., & Specht. J. (2016, June). University contexts: Are we meeting the needs of students with learning disabilities? Presented at the Society for Teaching and Learning In Higher Education Conference. London, Canada.

Specht, J., Bennett, S., & Kipfer, A. (2016, May) Teacher education: From faculty to classroom. Presented at the Ministry of Education/Faculties of Education Forum. Toronto, Canada.

Specht, J. (2016, May). Access to education: Providing opportunities for success. Presented at the Sarnia Accessibility Summit: Access to Education. Sarnia, Canada. (invited).

Howery, K., McGhie-Richmond, D., Specht, J., & Young. G. (2016, February). AT in a lawless society. Presented at the Assistive Technology Industry Association 2016 Conference. Orlando, FL.

Gregory, K. & Specht, J. (2015, November). The IEP development process and students with developmental disability in Ontario’s schools: Uncovering teachers’ thinking and practice through narrative research. Presented at the Ontario Council For Exceptional Children Provincial Conference, Niagara Falls, Canada.

Specht, J., Freeman, J., Bennett, S., Katz, J., Aylward. M. L. (2015, July). Professional learning for inclusion in Canada. Presented at ISEC2015. Lisbon, Portugal.

Cloutier, S. & Specht, J. (2015, June). New professional development log: Tracking the effectiveness of elementary science teachers’ participation in collaborative professional development activities. Presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education. Ottawa, Canada.

Specht, J. (2015, April). Transition: It’s a Process. Presented at the parent networking session of the Special Education Advisory Committee at the London District Catholic School Board. London, Canada. (invited)

Specht, J. (2015, March) “it was hard mom, but I did it: How to raise kids who feel good about themselves. Presented as part of the “An Evening With” series co-sponsored by Thames Valley District School Board and the Learning Disabilities Association of London Region. London Canada. (invited)

Bennett, S., Parekh, G., & Specht, J. (2015, March). What the research says about inclusion and effective education. Presented at the How to Meet the Diversity Challenge In the Classroom Conference in Kingston, Canada.

Bennett, S. & Specht, J. (2015. March). Re-conceptualizing the challenge of inclusion. Presented at the How to Meet the Diversity Challenge In the Classroom Conference. Kingston, Canada.

Specht, J. (2015, February). Transitions at School. Presented at Parents Partnering with Educators 1. London, Canada (invited).

Young, G. & Specht, J. (2014, April). Perceptions of assistive technology: Insights from students with learning disabilities and their parents. Presented at the Annual Meeting of The American Educational Research Association. Philadelphia, PA.

Specht, J., & Bennett, S. (2014, February). A Pan-Canadian View of Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs about Including Students. Presented at the OTF/OADE Conference “Creating Circles of Hope in Teacher Education”. Toronto Canada.

Specht, J. (2014, January). Making inclusion a reality. Day long Workshop for the Inclusion Team Department of Education and Early Childhood Development New Brunswick Canada. (invited)

Specht, J., Gallagher, T., Bennett, S. & Donato, K. (2013, November). What does Research tell us about Inclusive Practice? Presented at Meeting the diversity challenge: Can schools be both effective and inclusive within a special education context? London, Canada.

Bennett, S. & Specht, J. (2013, November). The Inclusion Check List and Discussion: Inclusive Education as Evidence-Based Educational Practice. Presented at Meeting the diversity challenge: Can schools be both effective and inclusive within a special education context? London, Canada.

Specht, J. & Bennett, S. (2013, November). Inclusion Look-Fors: How do we know if your school or classroom is inclusive? 
Presented at Meeting the Diversity Challenge: Can schools be both effective and inclusive within a special education context? London, Canada.

Specht, J. & Bennett, S. & Porter, G. (2013, November). Making Inclusion a Reality: the Path Forward in Canadian Schools.
 Presented at Meeting the diversity challenge: Can schools be both effective and inclusive within a special education context? London, Canada.

Porter, G., Specht, J. & Bennett, S. (2013, November) Making Change Happen: some considerations based on theory and practice. Presented at Meeting the diversity Challenge: Can schools be both effective and inclusive within a special education context? London, Canada.

Porter, G., Specht, J. & Bennett, S. (2013, November). The steps forward. Presented at Meeting the diversity challenge: Can schools be both effective and inclusive within a special education context? London, Canada.

Katz, J. & Specht, J. (2013, October). Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education. Presented at the International Congress of Educational Sciences and Development. Santander, Spain

Specht, J. (2013, September). Everyone belongs on my school. Presented at the St. Francis Elementary School Council Event. Guelph Canada (invited).

Specht, J. (2013, September). Everyone has the Right to Successful Quality Education. Presented at the Annual Meeting of Community Living Ontario. London, Canada.

Young, G.D. & Specht, J. (2013, June). Examining the impact of assistive technology on students with learning disabilities and strategies to support its use. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Victoria, Canada.

McGhie-Richmond, D., Specht, J., Loreman, T., Aylward, L., Bennett, S., Gallagher, T., Katz, J., Lyons, W., Metsala, J., Mirenda, P., Thompson, S., Young, G., Copfer, S., Gregory, K., & Cloutier, S. (2013, June). New Teachers’ Self-Efficacy for Teaching in Diverse and Inclusive Classrooms: A Canadian Snapshot. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Victoria, Canada.

Specht, J. (2013, May). Success in school: It takes a community. Presented at the Wellington Catholic District School Board Parent Involvement Committee Conference. Guelph Canada (Invited)

Specht, J. (2013, February). What we know from research about inclusion and accommodating students with diverse learning needs. Panel discussion with Dr. Sheila Bennett presented at Meeting the Challenge: Accommodation and Inclusion, Toronto ON. (invited)

Specht, J. (2013, February). Inclusive education: It’s all about relationships. Presented at the Let’s Talk Education Series. Faculty of Education, Western University, London, ON (invited)

Teaching and Supervision

Recent Courses Taught

Graduate Education

Independent Reading Courses:

  • A cross-Canada perspective on exceptionality
  • Understanding Models of Adolescent Development and Adolescent Identity Formation
  • Ethics and Human Development

Inclusive Education

Social and Emotional Learning

Psychology in Education: Issues, Theories and Practices

Bachelor of Education

Educating Exceptional Students: Issues and Instruction

Educational Psychology/Special Education

Special Education and Inclusion

Recent Theses Supervised

Irene Melabiotis “Students’ stories of their learning motivation in inclusive, arts-integrated learning environments”. PhD Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Shawna Lee “Examining the effects of the Positive Child Care Program in early childhood education environments: A randomized control trial”. PhD Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Jillian St. Aubin “The Ontario music education curriculum for grades 9 and 10: An examination of the modifications and adaptations for students with developmental disabilities”. M.A. Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario. Jointly supervised with Carol Beynon.

Fiona Hunter “Investigating preservice teachers’ self-Efficacy and practicum experiences.” M.A. Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Amy Kipfer “Educational assistants supporting inclusive education in secondary schools.” M.A. Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario

Sarah Copfer “Just another face in the crowd: an investigation of the provision of student support and accommodation for students with learning disabilities (LD) in Canadian post-secondary institutions” PhD Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Sarah Cloutier “Teacher collaboration practices for effective inclusive education”. PhD Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Karen Gregory “Individual education plan (IEP) development for children with developmental disabilities in Ontario’s schools: A narrative journey.” PhD Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Michelle Gibson “Demystifying epilepsy: Teachers’ implementation of a stigma-reduction resource” M.Ed. Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Fiona Meek “Mental health training for adult education teachers” M.Ed. Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Gabrielle Young “The impact of assistive technology on self-concept and motivation across school transitions. PhD Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario.

Other

Recent Honours and Awards

2014-2016 University Students' Council Teaching Honour Roll
2015 Canadian Association of Community Living - Inclusive Education Award
2010 Canadian Committee for Graduate Students in Education Mentorship Award