School Connectedness for Students with Disabilities

School Connectedness for Students with Disabilities: From Theory to Evidence-based Practice focuses on the importance of school connectedness for students with disabilities, and presents ways in which this sense of connectedness can be fostered. Written from a holistic perspective, it embraces a variety of approaches, strategies, and interventions rooted in evidence-based theory and practice. The book examines these not only in regard to the student with a disability, but also for school leaders, teachers, families, and community members.

The book describes and defines the concept of school connectedness, providing the reader with a theoretical framework to examine it. It explores connectedness from the lens of each of its components. The discussion covers the importance of assessing school connectedness to make data-based intervention decisions, alongside unpacking the components of student engagement, school climate, bonding, and attachment. Several school-wide and leadership approaches that foster school connectedness are presented, as well as ways to involve families. All of these are discussed through the lens of disability, acknowledging the characteristics of disability that affect students' levels of school connectedness.

School connectedness has become a priority for many schools and educators internationally. Research demonstrates its importance as a protective factor, impacting the health behaviour, social, emotional, and academic outcomes of young people. Grounded in theory and relevant to practice, this is essential reading for anyone interested in improving the school connectedness of students with various disabilities across the lifespan.