Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Educational Studies

First Advisor

Mitchell Yell

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine crisis preparedness among educators in public schools across York County, SC. More specifically, the study explored how prepared educators believe they are to meet the needs of students with disabilities during and after a school-based crisis. While a majority of public schools report having written crisis plans in place, less is known about crisis preparedness for students with disabilities. Respondents were asked to provide input on ways to address the needs of students with disabilities during a crisis and report their own perceptions of preparedness.

Data were collected through a survey and analyzed using jamovi Desktop and thematic analysis. While general levels of preparedness were examined, demographic attributes were also compared to those levels. The targeted sample consisted of school administrators, school psychologists, school counselors and school-based mental health providers in public schools in York County, South Carolina. Ninety-nine responses were received, indicating a 20% response rate.

Results indicated that most of the respondents (80%) agreed that they view themselves as well prepared to meet the needs of students with disabilities during a school-related crisis. While most reported having had general crisis training, only about 50% of respondents had received training specific to addressing the needs of students with disabilities.

Survey respondents shared, through an open-ended question, that there are barriers to feelings of preparedness. When presented with various categories of disabling conditions, respondents reported feeling most prepared to meet the needs of students with a communication or learning disability (i.e., Speech/Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disability) and, on average, least prepared to work with students with a sensory/physical disability (i.e., Visual Impairment, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Deaf- Blindness, Orthopedic Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury) during and after a crisis.

Findings from this exploratory study highlight areas for improvement in crisis training and planning and suggest implications for policy development and future research focused on inclusive crisis preparedness.

Rights

© 2026, Christine L. Montesi

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