Education Commons^™

Consultation Versus Direct Special Education Services And Postschool Outcomes For Individuals With Disabilities As Assessed By Indicator 14 Data, Callie Welch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is abundant research relating to transition supports and services for students with disabilities as they move out of high school into adulthood; however, relatively little is known about the relationship between the type of special education services they received and their postschool outcomes. Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and Tennessee’s Indicator 14 survey, I sought to better understand the relationship between the type of special education services received in high school and student further schooling or employability after graduation. Data were drawn from Indicator 14 surveys from 2021 and 2024 conducted by a rural school district …

An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences And Decision-Making Processes Of Alternative Education Teachers Using An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Ashley Irene Zehner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with behavioral challenges and mental health concerns have unique academic, behavioral, and emotional needs. Due to high student to teacher ratio and lack of mental health and behavioral resources, some students may not have their needs met in a public school general education setting. An option that can be a better solution for these students due to lower student to teacher ratio, mental health resources, and behavioral support is schooling in alternative schools. This study explored the daily routines and the decision-making process of alternative educators as they work to meet the multifaceted needs of their students. Using an …

Conducting Culturally Responsive, Strengths-Based Assessment In Schools, Eileen Cullen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Special education assessment has a significant impact on the lives of children with disabilities and their families. However, traditional assessment practices have been critiqued as being deficit-based, overly focused on “labeling” students, and failing to provide a holistic understanding of the student. Assessment models such as strengths-based assessment (SBA) and culturally responsive assessment (CRA), have potential to addresses these critiques and be more appropriate for the growingly diverse school population. Despite this, these models of assessment are under studied and there is a lack of clear guidance for how practitioners should implement them.

In these manuscripts, CRA and SBA are …

Transition Plans: A Critical Phenomenological Study Of The Young Black Men’S Parents’ Experiences At Admission Review And Dismissal Meetings, Bobby Durst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the narrative shared in individualized education planning meetings for young black men with learning disabilities who are transitioning from high school. The individualized education plan (IEP) process, essential in addressing the specific educational needs of children with learning disabilities, can be particularly challenging for Black parents, as evidenced by recent data. This study was designed to shed light on the intricate dynamics of the IEP process and the unique challenges faced by parents. The study aimed to provide insight into various aspects of their experiences through interviews designed with open-ended questions and detailed analysis of the …

Barriers To Inclusive Iep Practices: A Comparison Case Analysis Of Special Education Structures In Two Northern New England States, Melissa Lyons-Vitalone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This comparative case study examines special education structures in two Northern New England states through the lens of special education directors using semi-structured interviews. The study explores special education leaders’ beliefs surrounding the concept of the LRE, how IEP team dynamics can affect educational outcomes for students with disabilities as well as perceived barriers to inclusion. The investigation touches on the ways in which special education leaders interpret the concept of the LRE, shedding light on the challenges of balancing educational needs with systemic school barriers. Key findings reveal the how the perceived status of some team members can impact …

A Case Study: The Influence Of Professional Development, Administrative Support, And Co-Planning On Teacher Perceptions Of Co-Teaching., Heidi Zimmerman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a case study methodology investigating the influence of professional development, administrator support, and co-planning on teacher perceptions of co-teaching. My interest in co-teaching increased as a former special education teacher after implementing co-teaching strategies in my own practice. As defined by the Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Collaboration means, a teacher of exceptional children works with children with disabilities in the regular classroom to provide specially designed instruction and related services (707 KAR 1:350, Section 2). Oftentimes, Collaboration and Co-Teaching may be used interchangeably. For the purpose of this study, the term Co-Teaching will be used throughout. The goal …

Using Cultural Contextual Story-Based Lessons To Teach Emergent Literacy Skills, Elizabeth Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the effectiveness of teaching an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher to use a task analysis comprising story-based lessons with cultural contextual literature to promote emergent literacy skills for a middle school-aged Hispanic ELL student with an intellectual disability (ID). Using a single-case multiple probes across skill sets design, one student with an ID and an ELL teacher participated in this study. The student was taught by the ELL teacher using story-based lessons with cultural contextual literature to promote emergent literacy skills. Results indicated a functional relation between story-based lessons with …

Using Graphic Novels To Improve Reading Comprehension In Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rachel Denney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Upper elementary and middle school students can be less than engaged due to the lack of pictures in texts. Making the reading transition from picture books to complex text literature is challenging for students. Graphic novels could be a resource to improve student engagement and comprehension and support students in that transition. Students with ASD can face additional challenges with reading comprehension and instruction during school. Currently graphic novels are not used commonly for students and the goal of the research is to investigate if these types of books can be a support for students, reading comprehension and engagement. The …

The Effects Of Text-Based Gaming On Reading Comprehension For Students With Intellectual Disability, Faith Ihrig

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, reading comprehension and reading engagement have decreased in the United States. Our world is also becoming increasingly technological, and a large percentage of individuals in the United States, specifically children, are playing video games. There are increasing amounts of video games that target educational skills, such as reading and math, and video games that have been created strictly for entertainment. This study examined the potential effects of playing text-based video games on the comprehension and engagement of 6-8 grade students with intellectual disabilities. A Multiple Baseline Across Participants single case design was used to measure the …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Computer-Based Instruction For Training Pre-Service Teachers In Simultaneous Prompting., Mary P. Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been a significant increase in the use of distance education (DE) in institutions of higher education (IHEs) that is leading to a shift in pedagogy and practices. In the fall of 2021, approximately 61% of undergraduate students nationally were enrolled in at least one online course. A growing number of teacher preparation programs, including special education programs, are utilizing asynchronous course and program designs to combat the critical shortage of certified teachers, yet little research has examined which asynchronous teaching methods are effective for the development of critical teaching skills such as evidence-based practices. One asynchronous teaching method …

Remote Caregiver Teaching To Improve Caregiver Implementation Of System Of Least Prompts., Brandy N. Brewer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study involved an assessment of the effects of a remotely delivered behavioral skills training (BST) package on caregivers' adherence to an intervention plan for children with extensive support needs (ESN) involving an activity of daily living (ADL) skill. Intervention effects were assessed in a non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants design. The study included interobserver agreement and treatment fidelity measures during both baseline and implementation phases, as well as graphical and statistical analyses of intervention outcomes. Additionally, social validity ratings of the training program are reported. Results indicate that BST was effective in increasing correct implementation of the system of …

Dialogic Reading As An Intervention For Developing Reading Comprehension Skills In Early-Literacy School-Age Children With Disabilities, Kristi Burnette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dialogic reading as an intervention on participant ability to answer “wh” comprehension questions correctly and independently. Previous research conducted on dialogic reading was primarily conducted with young individuals with autism spectrum disorder, leaving a gap in the research with older age participants. Participants of this study included four students in upper elementary grades 4-6, ages 8-12 who have been identified to have a known deficit in reading comprehension, a cognitive disability, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an attempt to further extend the research on dialogic reading as an …

Examining The Relation Between Behavioral Risk And Reading Achievement Within A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports For Middle School Students., Abbigail M. Long

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Academic and behavioral screeners offer a valuable tool to assist schools in supporting students with effective, evidence-based interventions as a part of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). Data from systematic screenings three times a year allow school personnel to respond at the first sign of concern, quickly meet student needs, and determine if some student groups are at greater risk for below grade level academic achievement or behavioral problems than others. This study used archival data to investigate the relation between risk level on the Student Risk Screening Scale— Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE) and the reading Measure of Academic …

Burnout In Rural Special Education Teachers Of Students With Low Incidence Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study On The Fall Of The Dedicated And Committed., Kristie N. Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine the phenomenon of burnout in rural special education teachers of students with low incidence disabilities. For the quantitative phase, the Maslach Burnout Inventory- Educator Survey (MBI-ES, Maslach et al., 1986) was administered to 23 participants from geographically rural areas of one southern state in the United States. Descriptive analysis found that 92% of participants were experiencing high or moderate levels of burnout. Pearson correlation coefficient determined a statistically significant positive correlation between emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. A negative correlation was found between teachers’ age and depersonalization. Six participants …

Teacher Identity Matters: The Influence Of Identity On Student/Teacher Relationships And Special Education Student Performance., Jamil Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I have had the opportunity of many years of experience in public education as a teacher who provides services for students who in Special Education. I have classes where there is a small group setting for content instruction, as well as the role of a “co-teacher” alongside general educators. From my work, I find that there are differences of expectations of success and rigor in the inclusive setting from the general education teacher, often resulting in deficits in their academic achievement when compared to their peers who do not receive services. As I developed my topic for this study, it …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Psychologists: The Influence Of Implicit Bias On The Disproportionate Identification Rates Of African American Students Evaluated For Emotional Disturbance, Sonya Coe-Milo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As advocates, school psychologists remain ethically responsible and uniquely positioned to identify social injustices and promote nondiscriminatory practices in prekindergarten through grade 12 public education institutions. Implicit bias and its influence on African American students is one such practice. In public education, implicit bias contributes to discipline disproportionality, differentiated teacher support, pedagogical practices, and adult perceptions and expectations of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. These factors directly correlate to the disproportionate identification rates of African American students for special education and related services. Therefore, this phenomenological qualitative study examined the personal, lived experiences and perceptions of school psychologists regarding implicit bias …