Leslie Soodak

Leslie Soodak, PhD
Associate Professor of Education
E-Mail:  lsoodak@pace.edu
Phone: (914) 773-3875

Education:

  • PhD, New York University
  • MS, State University of New York, College at Buffalo
  • BA, Queens College

Courses Taught

  • TCH 475
  • ED 684

Research Interests

My research interests focus on education of students with disabilities in inclusive settings. I have explored various aspects of teaching that promote acceptance and learning, including teachers’ thinking about students, instructional arrangements, assessment strategies, and parent-professional partnerships. In my current research and field work I am seeking to improve collaboration among general educators, special educators, parents, and administrators so that we may achieve more positive outcomes for learners with diverse abilities and interests.

Publications & Articles:

  • Turnbull, A., Turnbull, R., Erwin, E., & Soodak, L. (2010).  Families, Professionals and Exceptionality: Positive Outcomes Through Partnerships and Trust  (6th Ed.). NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall
  • McCarthy, M. R., Wiener, R., & Soodak, L. C. (2010).  Vestiges of segregation in the implementation of inclusion policies in public high schools.  Educational Policy.
  • Soodak, L. C. & Erwin, E. E. Inclusive communities.  PBS Parents Inclusive Communities website (Revised 2009)   http://www.pbs.org/parent /inclusivecommunities/

Presentations:

  • Lost in Translation: Understanding Student Behavior. Changing Suburbs Institute, New York, April 2011 (with M. Malow and D. Gomez)
  • Videostories: The Power of Technology in Giving Voice. NYS Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Oct., 2010
  • Redefining the continuum of services for students with disabilities in high school.  NYSATE/NYACTE Conference, Saratoga, NY (with R. Wiener & MR McCarthy) April 2009

Grants:

  • Co-PI, STARS Project: CFDA: 84325T  Special Education Preservice Improvement Grant, 2010 Funded by the U.S.Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, $300,000 per year for 5 years.
  • Pace University, Scholarly Research Award for study of teacher quality and student learning in inclusive secondary classes, 2010.

Professional Affiliations:

  • American Educational Research Association, Member, 1989 - present.        
  • Council for Exceptional Children, Member and Past Regional Representative, 1976 - present.
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Member 1995 - present.