In February 2024, alumnus Mohammed Alshuayl ’18 received a call from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education. Currently an Assistant Professor at Taif University, Saudi Arabia, Alshuayl earned his doctorate in special education with a doctoral minor in research methods, statistics, and evaluation at UNC Greensboro. The Ministry of Education nominated him to join a group of experts tasked with updating the Kingdom’s special education regulations.
“Our work focuses on both inclusive education and transition regulations that will direct schools in how to serve students with disabilities,” Alshuayl says.
Alshuayl’s research specializes in inclusive education (i.e., students with disabilities being taught and learning with same-aged classmates in general education classes) and services focused on transition to adult life for students with disabilities. The goal of transition services is to assist students with disabilities enter adult life in their home community and achieve employment, post-secondary education, and independent living. Alshuayl’s research addresses how inclusive education and transition services contribute greatly to improving the quality of life for students and adults both with and without disabilities.
Research leads to better services in Saudi Arabia
This is not his first time helping the administrators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia understand the role of special education. In 2023, Alshuayl led a research group supported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) for Saudi Arabia.
“My research investigated the current state of special education services provided to individuals with disabilities within rehabilitation centers in Saudi Arabia,” he says.
Rehabilitation centers provide full-day services for individuals with severe intellectual and/or physical disabilities.
“Our research group recommended that services be improved based on evidence-based practices identified in other countries, including those I learned while studying at UNCG,” he said.
At the end of that research project, Alshuayl was nominated to be part of an international group of experts who were assigned to develop a 5-year transition plan for deinstitutionalization in Saudi Arabia.
“The purpose of this transition plan is to provide the appropriate special education services for individuals outside of the rehabilitation centers. We hope to make the services available within their communities and families,” he said.
Recommendations based on doctoral foundation
For nearly two years, Alshuayl has worked with an expert group appointed by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education to update the current special education regulations. Their recommendations include the development of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), similar to those used in the United States. MTSS supports students with disabilities learning in the same classroom as their same-aged peers without disabilities.
“The Saudi Arabian government is paying attention to special education and how it can help to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities,” he said. “The new regulations will direct schools on how to serve students with disabilities and create a more inclusive education system.”
Alshuayl’s current work was heavily influenced by his studies at UNCG working with Diane Ryndak, professor of special education.
“Working with Dr. Ryndak tremendously improved my academic and research abilities,” he says. “It assisted me, among other things, to be professional in how I can critique and help improve the current state of special education in Saudi Arabia.”
“Dr. Alshuayl truly exemplifies what we hope all our doctoral scholars can achieve,” Ryndak says. “Our role was to provide opportunities to assist him in becoming a leader in special education when he returned home. I am so proud of what he’s been able to accomplish so far in his career.”
