About Maria Sciuchetti
Dr. Maria B. Sciuchetti is an Associate Professor of Special Education. Her scholarship centers on students with or at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), with particular attention to culturally and linguistically diverse learners and the preparation of teachers to serve these students effectively. Her research examines the intersection of disability, behavior, race, and schooling, with a focus on school-based factors that contribute to disproportionality in discipline, placement, and outcomes for youth with disabilities. Current and recent projects include meta-analytic and intervention research on academic and behavioral supports for students with EBD, trauma-informed and equity-oriented practices in schools, and preservice teachers’ development of instructional and behavioral decision-making skills.
Professional Experience
Dr. Sciuchetti’s professional experience spans P–12 education, teacher preparation, graduate education, and large-scale curriculum design. She has extensive experience in curriculum design, accreditation, and program development. This work has included collaborative, large-scale program redesign and consolidation efforts aligned with state policy, accreditation standards, and workforce needs. Her work emphasizes coherence across coursework, assessment, licensure requirements, and program outcomes, with a focus on sustainability and student-centered design. Her experience also includes state and nonprofit consultation, contributing to special education policy and systems-level work through research-informed guidance, technical assistance, and professional training. Prior to her work in higher education, Dr. Sciuchetti taught in public and private school settings, working with students with disabilities in inclusive and specialized classrooms. She holds professional teaching licensure in both general and special education, and her classroom experience continues to inform her teaching, research, and program development in teacher preparation.
Education
- Ph.D. University of Texas Special Education, Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders
- ME.D. Rhode Island College Special Education, Mild/Moderate Disabilities
- M.A.T Roger Williams University Elementary Education
Select Research and Publications
Chitiyo, A., Sciuchetti, M. B., Finch, H. W., Dzenga, G. C. (2025). A Meta-analysis of Reading Interventions for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. Journal of Behavioral Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-025-09597-5
Wolf, L. D. & Sciuchetti, M. B. (2024). Integrating trauma-informedness within a multi-tiered system of support: the critical importance of administrators. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 8(1), 1-13.
Sciuchetti, M. B. & Yssel, N. (2019). Multiple field experiences: Impact on preservice teachers’ self-efficacy for classroom and behavior management. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 44(6), 19-34.
Sciuchetti, M. B. (2017) Addressing inequity in special education: An integrated framework for culturally responsive social emotional practice. Psychology in the Schools, 50, 1245–1251.