Education Commons^™

Identifying Self-Efficacy Factors Of Agriscience Teachers When Working With Supervised Agricultural Experiences For Students With Disabilities, Saralyn L. Smith

LSU Master's Theses

The number of students receiving disability services annually in the U.S. has increased in the last decade. Even with this growing population of students with disabilities, research continues to show a lack of confidence of School Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) teachers in their ability and skills to include these students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the factors that influence how SBAE teachers support students with disabilities in Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs and identify perceived obstacles SBAE teachers have regarding working with students with disabilities. Semi-structed interviews were conducted with twelve SBAE teachers to understand their lived …

Changes In Special Education Teacher Roles While Implementing One-To-One Devices In Rural Secondary Public Schools, Heather Farley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Successful technology integration takes many forms and performs several functions, but at its core, the integration of technology into a curriculum must feel seamless, be student-centered, and begin with the end goal in mind. The purpose of this study was to explore how the role and function of middle and high school special education teachers have changed after integrating one-to-one student devices in their classrooms. This study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach to look at how the roles of middle and high school special education teachers have changed due to the implementation of a one-to-one device initiative in a rural …

Equalizing Postsecondary Transition For At-Promise Youth Receiving Special Education Services: A Chance To Succeed, Karla R. Sanchez

Dissertations

Postsecondary transition can be difficult for At-Promise Youth Receiving Special Education Services (APYRSES). Special educators supporting postsecondary transition often manifest traditional and institutionalized forms of oppressive education while dismissing collective values and beliefs.

This qualitative case study examined the beliefs and attitudes shared by three special education teachers after being introduced to a justice-focused, humanizing intervention to facilitate postsecondary transition for APYRSES. The conceptualized intervention was grounded in liberatory educational frameworks and drew from critical, culturally affirming, sustaining, and humanizing theories that foster cultural reciprocity, self-determination skills, and antiracist social–emotional justice learning to afford opportunities for APYRSES to succeed. The …

Collaborative Teaching And Inclusion In Northeast, Tn, Sherianne Pigeon

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Collaborative teaching is a commonly used, research-based method to support inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom. However, there is a lack of research describing current teachers’ experiences with and perceptions of collaborative teaching and inclusion. Results from a survey disseminated to teachers in Northeast TN school systems revealed that 64.3% of respondents have either never co-taught a class or have co-taught only one or two classes. Additionally, respondents agree that collaborative teaching is beneficial to support inclusion, enhance delivery of instruction, improve teacher relations and improve classroom management. However, teachers expressed collaborative teaching is more …

A Study Of Student Experiences In The Secondary Transition Program Through Student, Parent, And Teacher Perceptions, Kelley M. Sells

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine and analyze the perceptions of students with mild-moderate disabilities, teachers, and parents regarding the students’ experiences related to their secondary transition plan. More specifically, the qualitative single-case study sought to identify areas of alignment and divergence of these three key members’ perspectives since experiences and perceptions are unique to an individual based on the context and individual’s perspective of the event. These findings suggested that the district showed experiences of valuable student presence and input in their IEP meetings and trusting supportive student-teacher relationships. The study also revealed that significant barriers …

Employer Perspective On Augmenting Work Experiences For Individuals With Disabilities, Liza A. Laurino-Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate employer perspective on augmenting work experiences for individuals with disabilities in the workplace through a qualitative case study approach. This study utilized two specific workplaces that are structured, have core values, are mission-driven and support individuals with differing abilities. The goal was to develop an understanding on how these workplaces continue to help individuals gain meaningful employment while supporting their differences and unique learning approaches in the workplace. Data collection included employer interviews, employee insight, an employer focus group, observations of employees at the work sites, artifacts, photos and the researcher’s journals. …

Impact Of Person-Environment-Occupation Model Training On Teacher Transition Problem-Solving, Taylor Dreste

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, there is currently no universal framework or model that is applied to the transition planning process for students with disabilities, other than the transition mandates set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004). This often results in educators picking transition plan goals and interventions from a “bank”, without taking into account the “whole child.” The following study examines the effect of the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model, pioneered by Law et al. (1996), on a teacher’s ability to consider personal, environmental, and occupational variables when planning for post-secondary employment for students with disabilities. Furthermore, this …

A Basic Interpretive Study Of Co-Teaching Perceptions: Collaboration Of General And Special Education Elementary School Teachers, Lawrence White

Theses & Dissertations

Over the past several decades, federal legislation (IDEA, 1990, 1997, 2004; NCLB, 2002) regulated the manner in which students with special learning needs receive instruction and placed greater emphasis on their achievements. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of general education (n=6) and special education (n=6) elementary teachers about co-teaching collaboration in the inclusive classroom. Concerning individuals with academic learning disabilities, inclusion secures opportunities for students with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms. Teacher collaboration helps to create the best learning environment possible for all students. This study took place in a Title One district …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Males In Special Education: A Phenomenological Study Of Parents And Students, Ashonta Lashonda Wyatt

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation

Black males rank highest among students who choose to leave school; are suspended, expelled, or kicked out of school; score poorly on tests; have low GPAs and high rates of referral and placement in special education; and are underrepresented in gifted education (e.g., NCES, 2005; Whiting, 2004) as cited in Whiting (2006a). The purpose of this study was to generate an understanding of the attitudes and beliefs related to special education referral and placement of Black males as perceived by six Black students and their parents. The focus of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of six …

Research Based Co-Teaching Practices And Their Realization In The New Jersey High School Classroom, Thomas K. Donovan

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study reviews co-teaching practices suggested to high school educators by their professional literature. Through a systematic analysis of published studies on the topic, a comprehensive list of suggested co-teaching practices from the past ten years was created. The study then explored the realization of these practices in the high school co-teaching classroom through surveys of 61 high school co-teachers in New Jersey. Both phases of this study assisted with the identification of opportunities for improving co-teaching practices, professional development on co-teaching, and instructional pedagogy.

Critical Conversations With Suburban Administrative Leaders On Special Education Disproportionality: Case Studies Of Suburban School Districts, Jennifer Colleen Sterpin

Dissertations

This dissertation study explored high school administrators' beliefs about why racial disproportionality exists, sought to understand the local practices that contribute to disproportionality, and identified interventions and supports that impact disproportionality in the special education referral, eligibility, and placement process. Research shows that students who are disproportionately represented in special education are negatively affected by factors such as stigmatization, substandard instruction, zero tolerance policies, and isolation from the general education setting (Sullivan, Kozleski, & Smith, 2008). Administrators were invited to participate in this study because they have a significant impact on student achievement and system-wide changes in schools.

This research …

The Role Of Professional Development On Secondary Special Educators Self-Efficacy Regarding The Use Of Evidence-Based Transition Practices, Lauren P. Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how transition specific professional development influenced secondary special educators’ knowledge and perceived self-efficacy regarding the use of evidence-based transition practices. Past research has suggested that secondary special educators enter the profession with limited knowledge and skills to provide effective evidence-based transition practices to students with disabilities. Based on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, and Desimone’s framework for effective professional development, this study identified how different variables related to professional development can influence teacher self-efficacy in terms of delivering evidence-based transition practices. Specifically, a correlational research design was used to investigate teacher self-efficacy to …

A Manual For Transitioning Students With Disabilities Into Post High School, John Mcdonald

All Graduate Projects

This project examined the components of an effective transition plan to help students at the secondary level have successful post-high school outcomes. The review of cun-ent research indicates that when families, students, teaching of self-determination skills, and collaboration with adult service agencies occun-ed the likelihood of a positive outcome increased. Included is a secondary level transition planning guide that focused on family and student participation in the transition planning process, several example lessons on self-determination skills, and adult service agencies to link students with before exiting the public school system. The overall purpose of the guide was to increase positive …

Supporting Reading Instruction Of High School Students With Learning Disabilities By Using Wynn Software, Linda Kilgore

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to create a student/teacher handbook, which contained information for the successful integration of the WYNN computer software into the general and special education classroom. Students with learning disabilities struggle with the general education curriculum and new technology provides an individualized approach to the accommodation of their needs. Research concerning learning disabilities and how the use of computers can support these students in the classroom was included.

A Transition Plan For High School Special Education Students, Michael J. Torres

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a transition plan that would facilitate the movement into the post-school setting for high school students with disabilities. Research on the factors that contribute to successful transition plans was examined. A four year transition plan for students with special needs was created that would detail specific requirements for each of the grades 9-12. These requirements would encompass vocational education/training and instruction, community experiences, life skills, functional vocational evaluation and assessment, interagency collaboration, parent involvement, and post-school education. The attainment of these requirements would be demonstrated by a cumulative portfolio.

The Transition Portfolio: A Portfolio Project Designed To Facilitate Successful Transition For High School Special Education Students, Darla R. Biever

All Graduate Projects

A transition portfolio has been developed for high school students to aid them in preparing for life after graduation. The project focuses on strategies to increase the involvement of students in transition planning. Also emphasized are the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Communication.

School To Work: Community Based Transition Of 18-21 Year Old Students With Mild Disabilities, Jammie Caryle Axon

All Graduate Projects

A community based service delivery plan was developed to meet the individual transition needs of 18-21 year old students with mild disabilities. The transition service was designed to ease the movement of students into post-secondary community life by providing prepatory experiences and community linkages. Students may receive services in the areas of recreation and leisure, vocational, and independent living activities depending on individual need.

Transition Programming For Secondary Special Education Students, Colleen Patricia Obergh

All Graduate Projects

The focus of this project will be on the design of a transition program for special education students, ages 14- 21, enrolled at Cascade School District, Leavenworth, Washington. The project is designed to fulfill state, federal, and district guidelines relating to transitioning of special education students into post-secondary settings. The goal of the project is to ease the movement of students into post-secondary community life by providing preparatory experiences. Specific programming experiences include academic/vocational training, career exploration, work experience, and social skill development.

The Effect Of An Intensive Study Skills Approach On Grade Point Average Of Secondary Learning Disabled Students, Jeanne Lancaster Vaughan

All Master's Theses

This study compared an intensive study skills approach with remedial instruction in basic skills for their effects on grade point average of secondary learning disabled students. The experimental group consisted of 12 students, as did the control group. Grade point was tabulated at the onset and conclusion of the study. The statistical analysis consisted of a t-test which showed no significance at the .05 level. The null hypothesis was retained. Discussion follows.