Special Education Program

Educational Foundations & Special Education

Photo of Dr. Ley Davis

Luann Lee Ley Davis, PhD

Associate Professor and Special Education Program Coordinator

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. Special Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • M.S. Special Education, Severe/Profound Cognitive, University of Northern Colorado
  • B.S. Psychology, Colorado State University

COURSES TAUGHT

  • SPED Systematic Instruction for Functional and Academic Programming
  • SPED 5401 Positive Behavior Supports and Classroom Management
  • SPED 8211/7211/3800 Content Methods I: Instruction in Literacy for Special Education
  • SPED 8001/7001/3802 Educational Assessment in Inclusive Settings
  • SPED 8212/7212/3804 Content Methods II: Academic Instruction for Special Education
  • SPED 8105/7105/4020 Language and Communication in the Inclusive Classroom
  • SPED 7201/8201 Education Programming for Students with Disabilities
  • SPED 8050/7050 Teaching the Exceptional Learner
  • SPED 8511/7511 Intellectual Disabilities and General Curriculum Access
  • ICL 8991 Independent Study: Introduction to Special Education Research
  • ICL 8995 Critical Review of Special Education Research and Literature
  • ICL 8999 Supervised Research in Special Education

RESEARCH FOCUS

  • Evidence-based instructional strategies to promote access to the general curriculum for students with extensive support need
  • Effective practices to support special educators in inclusive classrooms
  • Investigating strategic DEI, SEL, and Trauma Informed Practices for students with extensive support needs

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Ley Davis, L., Spooner, F., & Saunders, A. (2022). Efficacy of peer-delivered mathematical problem-solving instruction to students with extensive support needs. Exceptional Children. https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029221098764 

Hunter, W. C., Jasper, A. D., Barnes, K., Ley Davis, L., Davis, K., Singleton, J., ... & Scott, T. (2021). Promoting positive teacher-student relationships through creating a plan for Classroom Management On-boarding. Multicultural Learning and Teaching. Https://doi.org/10.1515/mlt-2020-0012 

Ley Davis, L. (2019). Meeting the special education teacher shortage for LEAs through a collaborative online licensure program. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1, p. 107-111.

Hunter, W. C., Ley Davis, L., Hsu, S., Schiro-Geist, C., & Williams, M. (2019). Building the bridge to support students with intellectual disabilities in post-secondary programs. Journal of Forensic Vocational Analysis, Vol. 19(2) pp. 41-51.

Ley Davis, L. & Allen-Clark, K. (2019). Unmasking the potential for adolescent transition through evidence-based academic skills. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1, p. 23-27.

McKissick, B. R., Ley Davis, L., Spooner, F., Fisher, L. B., & Graves, C. (2018). Using computer-assisted instruction to teach science vocabulary to students with autism spectrum disorder. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 37(4), 207-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/8756870518784270 

Browder, D. M., Spooner, F., Lo, Y-y. Saunders, A. F., Root, J. R., Ley Davis, L., Brosh, C. (2017). Teaching students with moderate intellectual disability to solve word problems. Journal of Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466917721236 

Saunders, A. F., Spooner, F., & Ley Davis, L. (2018). Using video prompting to teach mathematical problem solving of real-world video-simulation problems. Remedial and Special Education, 39(1), 53-64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932517717042 

Ley Davis, L. (2016). Effects of peer-mediated instruction on mathematical problem solving for students with moderate/severe intellectual disability (Doctoral dissertation). The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.

Ley Davis, L. & Saunders, A. F. (2016). Building foundational mathematics skills in inclusive settings. Inclusion Across the Lifespan. Conference Proceedings; Digital Commons, Winthrop University. https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/inclusionconference/2016/schedule/12/ 

Root, J. R., Stevenson, B., Ley Davis, L., Geddes, J., & Test, D. W. (2016). Establishing computer-assisted instruction to teach academics to students with Autism as an evidence-based practice. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disability, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2947-6  

Spooner, F., Kemp-Inman, A., Ahlgrim-Delzell, L., Wood, L., & Ley Davis, L. (2015). Generalization of literacy skills through portable technology for students with severe disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 40, 52-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796915586190 

Root, J. R., Ley Davis, L., Brosch, C. (2015). Strategies for promoting success in inclusive mathematics classrooms. Inclusion Across the Lifespan. Conference Proceedings; Digital Commons, Winthrop University. https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/inclusionconference/2016/schedule/12/ 

Root, J., & Ley Davis, L. (2014, September 1). Constant time delay: An evidence-based practice to support instruction. DADD Express Newsletter: The Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities http://daddcec.org/Publications/DADDExpress.aspx 

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Ley Davis, L., Gilley, D., Spooner, F., & Saunders, A. F. (2023, March). Equity & inclusion through peers to teach mathematics for students with ESN. Dual paper presentation at the International Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Exposition, (CEC L.I.V.E).

Gilly, D., Ley Davis, L., Spooner, F., & Saunders, A. F. (2023, January). Use of peer mediated mathematics intervention to support equity and inclusion of students with extensive support needs. Dual paper presentation at the 23rd International Conference on Autism Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater, FL.

Ley Davis, L., Hunter, W. C., Hilliard, L., Barnes, K., & Rath, S. (2022, September). Supporting equity of access and inclusionary practices through High Leverage Practices: A UofM Panel Presentation. West Tennessee Special Education Conference, Memphis, TN.

Ley Davis, L., & Minton, J. (2022, March). An investigation of a computer aided instructional package to teach science concepts to secondary students with extensive support needs. Paper presentation at the International Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Exposition, Orlando, FL.

Ley Davis, L., & Graves, J. (2022, March). An investigation of a systematic instruction package to teach calculating percentages to students at an institution of post-secondary education program in a hybrid format. Poster presentation at the International Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Exposition, Orlando, FL.

Ley Davis, L., & Minton, J. (2022, January). Effects of a computer aided instructional package to teach science concepts to secondary students with extensive support needs. Paper presentation at the 22nd International Conference on Autism Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities, Sarasota, FL.

Ley Davis, L., & Graves, J. (2022, January). Effects of modified schema based instruction to teach percentage calculation to students in a hybrid format in a post-secondary education program. Poster presentation at the 22nd International Conference on Autism Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities, Sarasota, FL.

Ley Davis, L. & Clark, K. (2021, March). A Brief Review of Virtual Evidence-Based Resources in Transition for Students with Low Incidence Disability. Prerecorded Multi-Presentation Session on Friday, March 12, 2021. Paper presented at the International Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Exposition, (CEC L.I.V.E).

Ley Davis, L. (2021, March). Delivering EBP-based instruction using HLPs and promoting generalization of academics using technology for students with ID/DD/ASD. Prerecorded lecture presentation with Q & A on Saturday, March 13, 2021. Paper presented at the International Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Exposition, (CEC L.I.V.E).

Ley Davis, L. (2021, January). The use of technology and HLPs to deliver EBP-based instruction and promote generalization of academics for students with ID/DD/ASD. Virtual lecture presentation at the 21st International Conference on Autism Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater, FL.

Ley Davis, L., & Clark, K. (2021, January). Identifying effective virtual evidence-based strategies for students with ASD/ID/DD. Prerecorded presentation. Paper presentation at the 21st International Conference on Autism Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater, FL.

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Nominated for the 2021 College of Education Research Award at the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.


  • 2019 College of Eduation Service Award at the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.
  • Selected to serve on the 2019 National Dynamic Learning Maps National Transition Panel as expert/key stakeholder to develop Transiton Curriculum at the University of Kansas, Kansas City, MO.
  • Selected to attend the 2018 Advanced Training Institute on Single-Case Research Methods Single-Case Intervention Research Design and Analysis Summer Training Institute sponsored by the Institute of Educational Science (IES) and the University of Oregon.
  • Colorado Council for Exceptional Children, Colorado Teacher of the Year 2010-2011.
  • Book Feature: Pierce, E. (2010) Success secrets of super teachers: How to raise your teaching to the next level. (1st ed., pp. 243-252). S.I.: Authorhouse, Bloomington, IN.
  • Awarded 2009 Colorado Channel 9 News Teachers Who Care Award. Featured spotlight on state news channel for te month of January. https://www.9news.com/article/news/outreach/community/luann-pavlubrjanuary-2009-winner/73-339121266 .

SELECTED GRANTS

2020 Faculty Research Grant-PI. Internal funding award to support three doctoral students in conducting empirical research to investigate evidence-based instructional strategies to deliver grade-aligned academic instruction for children with moderate/severe disabilities and/or ASD; (Awarded $6000.00).

2017-2019 Tennessee Higher Education Commission Diversity in Teaching Grant (THEC DIT) Teacher Preparation grant. Director/PI for Memphis Shaping and Transforming Educators Program (M-STEP). Funding to support special education licensure for underrepresented, diverse populations in local education agencies to meet critical special education teacher shortages. (Awarded $100,000.00).

2015-2016 Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Grant, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Internal funding award to support empirical research investigating evidence-based instructional strategies using technology to deliver grade-aligned academic content for students with moderate/severe ID and/or ASD. (Awarded $500).

2014-2015 Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Grant, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Internal funding award to support empirical research investigating evidence-based instructional strategies using technology to deliver grade-aligned academic content for students with moderate/severe ID and/or ASD. (Awarded $500).

2013-2014 Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Grant, University of North Carolina Charlotte: Internal funding award to support empirical research investigating evidence-based instructional strategies using technology to deliver grade-aligned academic content for students with moderate/severe ID and/or ASD. (Awarded $500)



PERSONAL INTERESTS

Dr. Ley Davis is a Colorado native and enjoys all outdoor activities, especially fishing, camping, and hiking. She spends her free time with her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren in Oklahoma. When not with her family, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, going to estate sales and auctions, collecting antiques, studying history and culture, and enjoying live music.