Special Education Program

Educational Foundations & Special Education

Photo of Dr. Dawn Rowe

Dawn Rowe, PhD

James H. Quillen Chair of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Professor

 

 

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Special Education

  • M.A.T., Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, Special Education Area of Emphasis: Cross Categorical Special Education

  • B.S., Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, Communication Disorders Minor: Psychology

RESEARCH FOCUS

  • Family involvement in secondary transition

  • Transition services and supports for secondary youth with disabilities

  • Transition assessment

  • Evidence-based practices in secondary transition

  • Evidence-based predictors of positive post-school outcomes

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Walker, V. A., Carpenter, M., Kittleman, A., & Rowe, D. A. (2023). Supports planning to improve access and 
participation in general education classrooms for students with disabilities. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 
55(6).

Rowe, D. A., Blevins, M., Kittelman, A., & Walker, V. A. (2023). Supporting inclusive practices in the least 
restrictive environment. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 55(3).

Mazzotti, V. L., Morningstar, M. E., Lombardi, A., Raley, S., Rowe, D. A., Poppen, M., Reardon, K., Carlson, S., 
Unruh, D., Monahan, J., Rousey, J. G., Vicchio, J. N., & Test, D. W. (2023). The Secondary Transition Fidelity 
Assessment: Conceptualizing a Fidelity Measure with Input from the Field [Manuscript accepted]. Career 
Development and transition for Exceptional Individuals

Weiss, M. P., Rowe, D. A., Mims, P. J., & Farmer, T. W. (2023). There’s no place like us: Beyond fidelity of 
implementation in rural contexts. Journal of Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Advanced online publication. 


Kilgus, S. P., Oddleifson, C., Kittelman, A., & Rowe, D. A. (2022). Enhancing support for student mental health in schools. TEACHING Exceptional Children,55(1).

*Chang, W. Lo, Y. Mazzotti, V.L., Rowe, D.A., Gilson, V & Hung, P. (2022). Perceptions of Parents of Youth with 
Disabilities Toward School-based Parent Engagement. Journal of Family Studies, Advanced online publication.

Rowe, D. A., Kittleman, A., & Flannery, K. B. (2022). Strategies for Improving Implementation of Effective 
Practices Through Peer Engagement. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 54(4), 240-242.

Kittleman, A. Rowe, D. A., McIntosh, K. (2021). Using improvement cycles to improve implementation of 
evidence-based practices. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 54(2), 92-94.

Rowe, D. A., Collier-Meek, M. A., Kittleman, A., & Pierce, J. (2021). Ensuring effective implementation of 
evidence-based practices. [Editorial]. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 53(6), 396-399. 


Rowe, D. A., Fowler, C. H. D’Agord, C., Kawatachi, M., Horiuchi, F., Norbert. J., & Avoke, S. (2021). State 
systemic improvement planning: impact on systems and student outcomes. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 32(2), 131-141.

Rowe, D. A., Carter, E. W., Gajjar, S., Maves, E. A., & Wall, J.C. (2020). Supporting strong transitions remotely: 
Considerations and complexities for rural communities. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 39(4), 220-232.

Rowe, D. A. (2019). Research and practice. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 52, 2-3. [Editorial]

Schuster, R. & Rowe, D. A. (2019). Vocational Evaluation: A Systematic Review of Outcomes Following Vocational Evaluation. Accepted for Publication Vocational Evaluation and Career Professional Journal.

Harvey. M., Rowe, D. A., Test, D. W., Lombardi, A., Szymanski, A., Barnett, K., & Conrad, M. (2019). Promoting career and technical education for students with disabilities: A position paper of the division on Career Development and Transition and Association for Career and Technical Education Research. Accepted for Publication, Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Children.  

Hirano, K. A., Rowe, D. A., Lindstrom, L., & Chan, P. (2018). Identifying parent needs in transition: A systematic review of the qualitative literature. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 3440-3456.

Mazzotti, V.L., Rowe, D.A., Wall, J. C., Bradley, K. E. (2018). Increasing Self-advocacy for Secondary Students with Disabilities: Evaluating Effects of ME. Inclusion, 6, 194-207. 

Rowe, D. A., Sinclair, J., Hirano, K., & Barbour, J. (2018). Let’s talk about sex…education. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 13, 205-216.

Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., Simonsen, M., Boaz, B., VanAvery, C. (2018). Steps for Implementing a State-Level Professional Development Plan for Transition. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Children, 41, 56-62. 

Williams-Diehm, K. L., Rowe, D. A., Johnson, M. C., & Guilmeus, J. F. (2018). A systematic analysis of transition focused coursework required for special education licensure. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Children, 41, 16-26. 

Hirano, K. A., Shanley, L. J., Garbacz, A., Rowe, D. A., Lindstrom, L., & Leve, L. (2018). Validating a Model of Motivational Factors Impacting Involvement for Parents of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 39, 15-26.

Rowe, D. A., McNaught, J., Yoho, L. M., Davis, M., & Mazzotti, V.L., (2018). Helping Students Make Informed Decisions about Transition via Web-based Resources. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Children, 41, 252-259.

Rowe, D. A., Mazzotti, V.M., Ingram, A., & Lee, S. (2017). Effects of goal-setting instruction on academic engagement for students at-risk. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Children, 40, 25-35. 

Sinclair, J., Kahn, L. G., Rowe, D. A., Mazzotti, V. L., Hirano, K. A., & Knowles, C. (2016). Collaborating to plan and implement a sex education curriculum to individuals with disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Keynote/Invited Addresses

Rowe, D. A. Invited keynote speaker (August, 2018). From Paper to Practice: Implementation of Quality IEPs. Republic of Marshall Islands Summer Special Education Institute. Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Rowe, D. A. Invited keynote speaker (April, 2018). Plan, Do , Study, Act: Engaging in Systems Level Change to Support Positive Outcomes for Youth. Indiana Cadres of Transition Leaders Capacity Building Institute. Indianapolis, IN.

Rowe, D. A. Invited keynote speaker (October, 2017). Engaging Family and Community Stakeholders for Transition Program Improvement. Australian Association of Special Education Regional Trainings. Sydney & Wollongong, Australia.

Rowe, D. A., & Mazzotti, V.L. Invited keynote speaker (October, 2017). National Technical Assistance Center for Transition: What we do. Australian Association of Special Education National Meeting. Sydney, Australia.

Rowe, D. A. Invited keynote speaker (August, 2017). Planning for and Implementing Evidence-based Practices. Republic of Marshall Islands Summer Special Education Institute. Majuro, Marshall Islands.

National/International Conferences

Mazzotti, V. L., Rowe, D. A., & Test, D. W. (2019). Evidence-Based and Research-Based Practices for Teaching Academics to Secondary Students with Disabilities. Council for Exceptional Children Convention & Expo. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mazzotti, V. L., Test, D. W., Lombardi, A., Reardon, K., Clark, K. Rowe, D. A., & Unruh, D. K., & (2019). Secondary Transition Fidelity Assessment for Secondary personnel: Results from Field Testing. Council for Exceptional Children Convention & Expo. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Unruh, D., Rowe, D. A., & Alverson, C. (2019). Lessons learned from National Technical Assistance Center on Transition’s Intensive Technical Assistance Process. Council for Exceptional Children Convention & Expo. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Rowe, D. A. (2018). Selecting transition assessments and curricula to match student need. NTACT 12th Annual Capacity Building Institute. Denver, CO.

Mazzotti, V.M., & Rowe, D. A. (2018). Defining best available evidence in secondary transition. Council for Exceptional Children Convention & Expo. Tampa, FL.

Rusher, D., & Rowe, D.A. (2018). Using General Case Analysis to Develop Simulated Instruction. Council for Exceptional Children Convention & Expo. Tampa, FL.

Regional/State Conferences

Rowe, D. A. (December 2018). Implementation of Quality IEPs. Guam Secondary Transition Training. Guam.

Rowe, D. A. (August 2018). Implementation of Quality IEPs. Republic of the Marshall Summer Special Education Institute. Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Rowe, D. A. (August, 2017). Quality IEPs and Planning for and Implementing Accommodations. Republic of the Marshall Summer Special Education Institute. Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Rowe, D. A. (June, 2017). Embedding Transition Skills into Academic Instruction: Implementation of Secondary Academic Evidence-based Practices. Colorado Secondary Transition Conference. Keystone, CO.

Rowe, D. A., & Thompson, E. (September, 2016). Evidence-based practices and predictors of post-school success. Bureau of Indian Education Tribally Controlled Schools Special Education Training. Bellingham, WA.

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Distinguished Faculty Award in Research, East Tennessee State University, 2023
  • Clemmer College Distinguished Facuty Research Award, 2023
  • Clemmer College Equity and Inclusion Award, 2021
  • Graduate Multidisciplinary Research Fair at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2nd Place, 2011

  • Pat Sitilington Student Research Award Finalist DCDT, 2009

  • Teacher of the Year, West Ashley High School, 2007-2008

SELECTED GRANTS RECEIVED

External Grants

Lind, J., Lindstrom, L., DeGarmo, D., & Rowe, D. A. (2017). Paths 2 the Future: for All High School Students. Goal 2 Development Grant Submitted to the United States Department of Education Institute for Education Sciences: Education Research Grants.

Mazzotti, V.L., Rowe, D. A., & Flannery, B. (2015). Highly-qualified Interventionists with Transition Evidencebased Knowledge and Skills (Hi-TEKS). Submitted to United States Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs: Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities, Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Leadership Personnel.

McIntosh, K., Murray, C., Rowe, D. A., Horner, R., Harn, B., & Sprague, J. (2013). Engaging New leaders in Implementation Science Training: Enhancing Implementation of Evidence-based Practices in Special Education (Project ENLIST). Submitted to U. S. Department of Education Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education Programs.

Alverson, C. Y., Unruh, D. K., Rowe, D. A., & Kellems, R. (2012). State Toolkit for Examining Post-School Success (STEPSS) PD Project. Developed and submitted to the United States Department of Education Institute for Education Sciences: Special Education Research Grants. 

Internal Grants/Contracts

Rowe, D. A., & Unruh, D. K. (2019). Secondary Transition and Differentiated Accountability. Contract with the state of Iowa.

Rowe, D. A., & Unruh, D. K. (2018). Secondary Transition and Differentiated Accountability. Contract with the state of Iowa.

Rowe, D. A. (2018). Work-based Learning Professional Development. Center for Transition and Career Innovation, University of Maryland.

Rowe, D. A. (2017). Coaching Teachers to Support Native American Youth with Disabilities in Transition. Submitted to the University of Oregon College of Education Faculty Research Awards.

Fuhriman, C., & Rowe, D. A. (2017). Ability Explorer Assessment.