Observations of Children with Disabilities in Four Elementary Music Classrooms

Much of what we know about music classes comes from observing students without disabilities; there is little empirical research that informs music education practices for students with disabilities in inclusive music settings. The purpose of this study was to systematically observe and describe opportunities for nine students with disabilities to engage in behaviors related to the objectives on their Individualized Education Programs and describe their peer interactions, on-task behaviors, and music participation. Students had multiple opportunities to practice Individualized Education Programs goals. Students were most often on-task and interacted with peers extemporaneously and in assigned groups. Opportunities for individual responses and music performances were rare but most often accurate. Results indicate that students’ opportunities to show what they know and can do are often controlled by the teacher, suggesting that music educators, music therapists, and special educators can collaborate to improve and plan for opportunities for students with disabilities.