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Full-Text Articles in Education

Supporting Students With Disabilities In Transition: A Case Study Of A College Mentoring Program, Virginia Sue Atkinson May 2014

Supporting Students With Disabilities In Transition: A Case Study Of A College Mentoring Program, Virginia Sue Atkinson

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

This case study explored the experiences of participants in a university-based mentoring program in which graduate students in special education mentored undergraduate college students with disabilities (mentees). The program provided support in self-management skills for mentees and learning experience for mentors. Interviews, observations, document review, and a survey were used to collect data. Mentees’ disability diagnoses, high school experiences, personal and educational histories, and support needs varied, as did transition challenges and degree of collegelevel agency and self-advocacy. Undergraduates, citing mentor support, reported that the program was helpful in addressing self-management needs. Findings suggest that mentees’ self-identified needs (for structure, …


Program Evaluation Of A Writing Strategies Curriculum For High School Students With Disabilities, Lisa J. Dejarnette Jan 2014

Program Evaluation Of A Writing Strategies Curriculum For High School Students With Disabilities, Lisa J. Dejarnette

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a writing strategies curriculum designed for use with high school students with disabilities. Specifically, this curriculum incorporates both the cognitive/motivational theory of writing and the social/contextual theory of writing, and was presented in a two-year program. Expected outcomes were improved written expression skills and improved student perceptions of their writing abilities and of themselves as writers. Results of this evaluation indicated that participation in a program using a writing strategies curriculum improved the written expression skills of the students in this study while self-efficacy beliefs remained stable.


Determining Effective Leadership Competencies Of School-Based Administrators Overseeing Special Education Programs Within Virginia Public Schools, Patrice A. Thompson Jan 2014

Determining Effective Leadership Competencies Of School-Based Administrators Overseeing Special Education Programs Within Virginia Public Schools, Patrice A. Thompson

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

The effective leadership of special education programs is an essential component in providing students with disabilities access to a free and appropriate public education. Special education administrators are responsible for ensuring that special education programs are provided and that special education law is followed in order for students with disabilities to access a free and appropriate public education. Perceptions of competencies needed for the effective leadership of special education programs were similar between the participant groups in a state-wide survey. In addition, training experiences had an impact on the self-reported proficiency levels of competencies rated by school-based special education administrators.