Education Commons^™

A ‘Bad Fit’ For ‘Our’ Kids: Politics, Identity, Race And Power In Parental Discourse On Educational Programming & Child Well-Being, Erin P. Sugrue

Faculty Authored Articles

Issues of race and class have long been at the center of discourses involving the American public education system. Although contemporary discourse regarding issues of race and power in American schools may be less overt in racist ideology than in previous decades, the impact of coded racist discourse can be equally powerful and dangerous. A need exists to identify racist and classist discourse in educational contexts so that the ideologies and practices these discourses reflect can be challenged. This paper uses critical discourse analysis and Critical Race Theory to examine how the discourses of race, class, and power are enacted …

Facilitating Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities Within One Urban Archdiocese In The Northwestern United States, Angela Pierce Mejdrich

Theses and Graduate Projects

Inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools has yet to be realized across school systems and is limited to select individual schools and (arch)diocese. Current research in this area is limited, consisting of small studies with results that are not generalizable due to differences in state laws, school governance, and other variables, but suggests that a focus on Catholic identity and mission is one means of facilitating inclusion. The material in this program evaluation informs and shapes the recommendations for furthering inclusion in archdiocesan schools made in the white paper to the Diversified Learners Cornmittee of an urban archdiocese …

The K- 12 Experiences Of African American Criminal Offenders, Ashley P. Booker

Theses and Graduate Projects

This qualitative study explores some of the most persistent and significant racial gaps in our society today, focusing on the intersections of race, academic achievement, and criminal incarceration via an analysis of the K- 12 experiences of African American criminal offenders. The purpose of this research is to gain additional knowledge and insight about the racial disparities that persist in academic achievement and punitive methods of social control, hopefully contributing to the ongoing discussion of the ways in which to improve teacher practices and develop strategies for effectively engaging African American males in the classroom. There were three participants in …

Perspectives Of Students With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders About Their Experiences With Social Stories, Jason Kram

Theses and Graduate Projects

Social stories are defined as a short story that describes social situations in terms of relevant cues and often defines appropriate responses for children diagnosed with Autism (Bradys, Gouvousis, VanLue & Waldron, 2004). Social stories a have been used since the early 1990's as a social skills intervention for students with Autism and research has shown that social stories have been very effective as an intervention for students with Autism (Scattone, Tingstrom & Wilczynski, 2006). A review of the research found that very little research has been conducted with students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) and their perspectives with social skills …

The Perspective Of Bullying According To Students With Asperger Syndrome, Ryan B. Barnick

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study examines the perspective of bullying according to students' who are labeled with Asperger syndrome. Bullying is a growing problem in our schools today that greatly affects a student's education and life. The results are traumatic and linger for extensive periods of time, greatly affecting the student's education both short and long term. For this study, I conducted my research utilizing an action research oriented framework. As part of my action research, I obtained and evaluated data utilizing the qualitative research and analysis methodology. Through in-depth interviewing, students shared their perspective on bullying. Data was analyzed and various themes …

Transition Curriculum For Vessey Leadership Academy Leadership Application Project, Paul Terrence Gruber

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research indicates students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) struggle with their transition from high school onward. Students who once received services, now on their own, are left poorly equipped for success. Studies show these students often have low rates of participation in post-secondary schooling, high rates of unemployment, and high rates of incarceration or involvement in crime. Though studies show these young adults struggle after high school, very programs have been implemented to improve their chances for success. The following Leadership Application Project (LAP) was developed in an effort to create a transition curriculum for Vessey Leadership Academy, a …

How General Education And Special Education Teachers Perceive The Behaviors Of African American Students In Their Classrooms Within A Suburban School Setting, Claudia Powers

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study was to explore the perceptions of general education and special education teachers and their perceptions of behaviors in their classrooms. A qualitative design using structured interview and observation was used to collect the data in the winter and spring of 2007. A sample of twelve teachers consisting of six general education and six special education teachers were recruited from Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN. Data collection and analysis were concurrent. Three themes emerged from the collected data. The themes regarding how the teachers perceived behaviors in their classes are teacher-student relationship, student's dress and the jargon …

Student Perceptions Of Pullout Instruction, Christen A. Bokinskie

Theses and Graduate Projects

The latest movement in educating students with disabilities is pushing toward full inclusion for academic and social advantages. When considering the educational programming for a child, academic performance is only one part of the picture. Students with special education needs may already have a lower self-esteem than their peers, and leaving the classroom for services may exemplify those feelings.

This study focuses on student impressions of how students are affected by special education and receive pull out instruction. Eight students, four in general education, and four in special education and receive pull out instruction were interviewed and observed in the …

Effective Steps To Creating Parent/Teacher Partnerships In Special Education, Danielle Jeanne Bundy

Theses and Graduate Projects

While the value of the parent/teacher partnership is universally accepted, it is not always easy to promote or maintain. The purpose of this study was to identify the effective steps to creating parent/teacher partnerships in special education, in order to plan a curriculum that was more response to children's needs. For the purpose of this study a multi-method qualitative approach was used, which included participant observation, questionnaires, and analysis of field notes. The results of this study revealed a complex set of issues related to interactions between parents and special education professionals within the school setting which included: (a) Listen …