The inclusion of students with emotional disturbances (ED) in the least restrictive environment has been encouraged nationally through litigation and legislation. Despite this fact, 38.1% of the students with ED spend less than 40% of their day in a regular education classroom due to several barriers (U.S. Department of Education, 2014).Research has demonstrated that one of the barriers to inclusion is general education teachers' attitudes towards the inclusion of students with disabilities (Andreasen, 2014a;MacFarlane & Woolfson, 2013;Ross-Hill, 2007;Tsokova & Tarr, 2012). The purpose of this research study was to use a qualitative design to study the perspectives of general education teachers at the elementary level in an urban Illinois school district towards the phenomenon of the inclusion of students with ED. Five participants were interviewed to provide data for the study.The findings of this research study show that there are mixed perspectives among elementary, general education teachers towards the inclusion of students with ED.Participants feel that it made them a stronger teacher and benefited students with ED through social modeling. They were concerned, however, about the work environment and safety for others. Participants felt there were four main barriers to the inclusion of students with ED: (a) safety, (b) student behaviors, (c) time, and (d) information.However, these barriers could be addressed through providing the supports of planning, professional development and training, and staff. From the review of literature and these findings, I developed a list of recommendations for policies and practice and implications for further study.i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I have often heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. I did not realize that it would also take a village to finish my thesis. I could not have accomplished it without the assistance of many individuals. I am forever indebted to the support that I received throughout my many years of education.My mother, Anita Munden, has been my hero for a long time now. Watching her pursue further education showed me that I should never stop reaching for my dreams.Knowing how hard she worked modeled for me the persistence and dedication that it would take. My husband, Joshua O'Dear, and my children, Rylee and Sean, have supported me throughout my master's program. They have tolerated the long nights of studying and the nights that I was gone for class. I could not have done this without the support they provided me. My advisor, my chair, and my guide, Dr. Mark Zablocki, has inspired me with his knowledge of students with emotional disturbances. The research that he shared with me has only increased my passion for working with these students. My committee members, Dr. Yojanna Cuenca-Carlino, and Dr. Stacey Hardin, provided me with valuable guidance for directions to take my research. ii My peer reviewer and one of my editors, Nathan Stewart, helped in guiding my writing along the way. His knowledge of qualitative research was precious. I appreci...