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Raising Educational Outcomes for Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Title: Raising Educational Outcomes for Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Jo Van Herwegen (ORCID 0000-0001-5316-1818), Thomas Masterman, Julie Dockrell, Chloe Marshall, Rebecca Gordon, Michael S. C. Thomas
Source: Review of Education. 2026 14(1).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 36
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Special Needs Students, Students with Disabilities, Outcomes of Education, Intervention, Academic Achievement, Special Education, Mainstreaming, Writing Achievement, Reading Achievement, Mathematics Achievement, Science Achievement
DOI: 10.1002/rev3.70127
ISSN: 2049-6613
Abstract: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental design studies targeting interventions to improve educational outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It identified 467 studies with 2891 outcomes for the narrative review, and 349 studies with 1758 outcomes were included in the meta-analysis. Outcomes included in the meta-analysis related to reading (n = 1139), writing (n = 279), maths (n = 284), science (n = 3) and general attainment (n = 53). While there was substantial variability, targeted interventions for specific SEND groups improved educational outcomes by an average of 5 months compared to control groups, with positive impacts on reading, maths and writing. The setting (mainstream vs. special education) did not affect reading or writing outcomes, but interventions with students in mainstream settings showed larger gains in maths. Intervention effects were consistent regardless of delivery method, implementor or control group type. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory and practice, the research gaps identified and future directions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/2hy5t
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503910
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Raising Educational Outcomes for Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jo+Van+Herwegen%22">Jo Van Herwegen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5316-1818">0000-0001-5316-1818</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thomas+Masterman%22">Thomas Masterman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Julie+Dockrell%22">Julie Dockrell</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chloe+Marshall%22">Chloe Marshall</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+Gordon%22">Rebecca Gordon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michael+S%2E+C%2E+Thomas%22">Michael S. C. Thomas</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Review+of+Education%22"><i>Review of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 14(1).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 36
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Special+Needs+Students%22">Special Needs Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outcomes+of+Education%22">Outcomes of Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Special+Education%22">Special Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mainstreaming%22">Mainstreaming</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Writing+Achievement%22">Writing Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+Achievement%22">Reading Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Achievement%22">Mathematics Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Achievement%22">Science Achievement</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/rev3.70127
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  Data: 2049-6613
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental design studies targeting interventions to improve educational outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It identified 467 studies with 2891 outcomes for the narrative review, and 349 studies with 1758 outcomes were included in the meta-analysis. Outcomes included in the meta-analysis related to reading (n = 1139), writing (n = 279), maths (n = 284), science (n = 3) and general attainment (n = 53). While there was substantial variability, targeted interventions for specific SEND groups improved educational outcomes by an average of 5 months compared to control groups, with positive impacts on reading, maths and writing. The setting (mainstream vs. special education) did not affect reading or writing outcomes, but interventions with students in mainstream settings showed larger gains in maths. Intervention effects were consistent regardless of delivery method, implementor or control group type. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory and practice, the research gaps identified and future directions.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: https://osf.io/2hy5t
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1002/rev3.70127
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
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        PageCount: 36
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Special Needs Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Outcomes of Education
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      – SubjectFull: Intervention
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      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Special Education
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      – SubjectFull: Writing Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Reading Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Science Achievement
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      – TitleFull: Raising Educational Outcomes for Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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