Education Commons^™

What Researchers Are Publishing And What Parents Are Implementing: Current Interventions For Autism, Barrie Tripp

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Insight For Today And Tomorrow: The World Of Special Education, Tara Niego-Saltzman

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

These pages address the origin of disabilities and technologies impact on special education. The future of technology in special education, specific learning disabilities, common disorders, recommended computer software, and a directory of professional job opportunities related to special education will be addressed. With all these things in mind, this will be a guide to shape our perceptions and insights, regarding the world of special education and the exceptional child.

The Effects Of Participation In Athletics On The Development Of High School Students With Special Needs, Derryk Sellers

Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at the effects of participation in athletics on the development of high school students with special needs. Specifically, this study examined classroom behavior, academic performance, and social development. This study also explored some of the aspects of the development of these students by studying classroom behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement. Students with special needs who participate in athletics were compared to those who do not participate. The results of this study suggest that athletics are beneficial to the development of the special needs students. This study will help administrators, teachers, parents, and students understand the role …

The Effectiveness Of The "Making Words" Program On Reading Decoding, Mandy E. Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Making Words Program when incorporated into the whole language curriculum will help children with special needs improve their reading decoding. Meaningful growth on reliable instruments would indicate a possible correlation between the use of the Making Words Program and reading decoding development.

The study consisted of five second grade students ranging in age from 7 years to 8 years. All students were given instruction through a whole language based approach in addition to the Making Words Program. The treatment program consisted of one session per week for a duration of …

Family Support Of Emergent Literacy In Students With Moderate And Severe Cognitive Delays, Dianna M. Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to explore family support of emergent literacy of students with moderate and severe cognitive delays. The research question addressed was "Does family support of emergent literacy differ on the basis of the severity of the student's cognitive delay?" Data were gathered by means of a parent survey of home literacy experiences.

Research showed that students with moderate cognitive delays participated in more emergent literacy activities and exhibited higher level responses to emergent literacy activities than students with severe cognitive delays, and the parents of moderately delayed students perceived more academically oriented benefits to home literacy activities. Results …

The Effectiveness Of A Social Skills Program Used With Children With Learning Disabilities, Sandra L. Dalton

Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the effectiveness of a social skills program both inside and outside of the classroom. Its purpose was to see of positive behaviors increased and negative behaviors decreased both inside and outside of the classroom. The results showed that overall, for the class, positive behaviors increased and negative behaviors decreased. Individual results varied. The implications of this are great. If we teach our students with learning disabilities the necessary social skills now, they will be able to take these skills outside of the school setting and successfully integrate into society.

The Effect Of Educational Placement On Self-Concept, Karin Dech Pescatore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine self-concept of students from different placement settings. Academic, social, and general self-concepts were considered. Subjects were chosen from four placement settings: regular education classroom, basic skills instruction (BSI), resource room instruction, and self-contained special education classroom. A sample size of forty-eight students from grades five and six was used. Data was collected through the use of a self-concept scale as well as several student interviews. Data was recorded and analyzed on a computer using the StatView program. Mean scores and standard deviations were compared to determine differences in self-concept scores among the …

Participation Of Special Education Students In Extracurricular Activities: Motivation And Effects On Academic Performance And Social Skills, Carolynn J. Cassaday

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines special education students' participation in extracurricular activities. This study involves 40 special education students in seventh and eighth grades. Each student was interviewed individually during one class period to answer a survey to determine their participation rate in extracurricular activities inside and outside of school. Their responses were recorded and analyzed to determine the rate of participation in extracurricular activities. The students were interviewed again during a forty-two minute class period to determine if they demonstrate appropriate social skills. These questions were answered with always, sometimes, or never. The results of this research study showed no significant …

The Effects Of Peer-Tutoring Learning Disabled Students In A Resource Center Setting On Generalization Of Skills, Patricia L. Grieves

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of peer tutoring on the comprehension of science vocabulary and terms and determine if those study skills methods taught would generalize to the studying of social studies vocabulary and terms. A cross-age peer tutoring program pairing seven seventh grade learning disabled students with seven eighth grade regular education tutors was used. Tutors worked with tutees for an eight week program tutoring in science vocabulary and terms through two study skills methods, Self-testing Techniques and Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Two methods were used to determine results. The first was a …

Perceptions And Knowledge Of The General Education Teacher's Role In The Iep Process, Sarah Jane Vandruff

Theses & Honors Papers

The perceptions and knowledge of general education teachers on their role in the IEP process were investigated. The literature suggests that the perceptions of teachers are influenced by many factors. The three main factors influencing teacher perceptions include: a) teacher training and staff support, b) the presence of an effective inclusion program, and c) the time available for the teacher to participate to his/her fullest potential. Teachers in Virginia have the training needed. However, teachers lack the presence of an effective inclusion program ad the time needed to collaborate and fully participate.

Incorporating The Wilson Reading System Into A First Grade Reading Curriculum, Barbara Colton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the ability of the Wilson Reading System, when incorporated into a regular education inclusion classroom curriculum, to support the reading needs of all learners, particularly special needs students. Subjects for this study were first grade students from two regular education classrooms. The experimental classroom was an inclusion setting containing two students eligible for special education and related services, and two students supported with basic skills for reading. The control classroom had one student supported in basic skills for reading. Results reveal that students in the inclusion or experimental classroom provided with supplemental …

Sources Of Homework Modifications For General Education Teachers Teaching Mainstreamed Students, Amanda Brooke Sterling Slater

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of homework modifications made by general education teachers for special education students in their classes. A survey questionnaire was sent to 106 middle and high school teachers in the Spring of 2000. The questionnaire asked about the ways that teachers decided on modifications in the area of homework. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t tests to determine statistical significance. Results indicated that teachers often do not feel adequately trained to make modifications and that modifications for homework may not be included in the Individualized Educational Program. In order …

The Effects Of Structured One-On-One Tutoring In Sight Word Recognition Of First-Grade Students At-Risk For Reading Failure, Laureen Goers Mayfield

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an alternative reading program on the performance of at-risk first graders. Sixty first graders from three north Louisiana public elementary schools with high poverty rates, who were determined by their teachers and principals to be functioning in the bottom 20 to 30% of first grade reading students, were purposefully selected. Students were pretested on three subtests of the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test-Revised (WRMT-R), Form G: Letter Identification, Word Identification, and Word Attack. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control or an experimental group. Experimental group students received 15 …

Effect Of Adult Attachment On The Resiliency Of Youth In Behavior Disordered Classrooms, Rachel R. Henson

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that adult attachment has on the resiliency of at-risk youth . The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment was revised to measure the degree of attachment to a significant adult and was administered along with the Children' s Resiliency Attitudes Scale to students in behavior disordered classrooms (n = 41). The assessments were given during one class period in six behavior disordered classrooms at one school. The results found that those students who feel strong attachments to at least one adult were also more resilient and able to deal with …

A Third Grade Special Education Pre-Referral Assessment Tool For Inner City African American Students, Richard Dean Newton

All Graduate Projects

A disproportional high number of African Ametican students are referred by regular education teachers for placement in special education programs and services. Recent implications of state wide uniformed student testing has intensified special education placement trends. The purpose of this project was to develop an alternative third grade special education pre-referral intelligence assessment tool, which would be used to provide alternative placement other than special education programs and services.

A Living Skills Curriculum For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Patricia Merz Ubelaker

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a living skills curriculum for adults with developmental disabilities. It will present many of the necessary skills for succeeding at living independently in the community. This curriculum was designed to be taught in a community college setting, using the ten week quarter system. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research was conducted. The review found few curricula available for teaching living skills and none on the postsecondary level. The research established a need for a curriculum ofliving skills for adults and this project is offered in partial fulfillment …

Special Education Discipline: A Procedural Manual, Barbara Townsend

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project is to create a systematic procedural manual for the disciplining of students protected under the mandates of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Research on the IDEA Amendments of 1997, as it pertained to the disciplining of students with disabilities was studied. A procedural manual, for administrators, and teachers was created. The manual includes case histories, which helped develop the discipline changes in IDEA Amendments of 1997. It also includes information and sample forms, which can be used to help navigate the discipline process.

Home Schooling Children With Special Needs: A Descriptive Study, Jane Grenfell Duffey

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Principal And Teacher Actions To Increase The Academic Achievement Of Students With Disabilities, Barbara Liskey Driver

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Study Of Teaching Critical Thinking Through Persuasive Writing To Average, Gifted And Students With Learning Disabilities, Claire Elizabeth Hughes

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Best Practices In Transition: A Descriptive Study Of A Rural High School Grades 9 Through 12, Michelle A. Messerli Bolander

Masters Theses

This study examined and determined the practices in transition that were currently being implemented, what transition opportunities were available, and which practices could be utilized at Litchfield High School during Fall 2000 to support a smoother transition from middle school to high school for ninth grade students with and without special needs. The study did not establish a relationship of cause and effect, but rather compared cases (administrators, special educators, and regular educators) through qualitative data that were supported by quantitative measures. The population surveyed consisted of the 33 teachers and 2 administrators at the high school level, with different …

A World Wide Web Site Of Special Education Law For Educators In Illinois, Roger L. Epperson

Masters Theses

Any educational decision regarding evaluation, placement, or instruction of special education students involves legal liability and accountability for a school district. Without the special education legal knowledge from primary legal sources needed to make prudent education decisions, school districts are vulnerable to legal challenges. Too often, educators provide services to special education students without critical knowledge of the educators' role in the special education legal process.

In this study, just the preliminary phase of constructing a special education law World Wide Web (W3) site for Illinois educators was considered. There were two objectives in this study. The first objective was …

The Effects Of Use Of A Metacognitive Strategy On The Language Anxiety Of Missionaries At The Missionary Training Center, Laura Millet Bichon

Theses and Dissertations

Language anxiety is a form of anxiety that can negatively affect language learners by disrupting their cognitive processing, by rendering their learning experience unpleasant, and by reducing the quantity and quality of their language production. The language anxiety research contains many suggestions for anxiety reduction, one of these being the use of metacognitive language learning strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a self-monitoring, metacognitive strategy called ASWE on the language anxiety levels of young male and female missionaries in the intensive language learning program at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. The ASWE …

Students Exiting Preschool Special Education: A Six -Year Examination Of Eligibility Patterns And Performance, Elisabeth Murphy Powers

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Substantial research supports the efficacy of early intervention services for children with developmental delays from birth to age 5. Federal legislation, IDEA, P.L. 101-476, now mandates that states provide services to infants and toddlers (Part C) and preschoolers ages 3--5 (Part B) using either categorical or noncategorical classifications.;Research relative to eligibility classifications and stability of classifications of preschool students transitioning to school age service is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine: (a) the initial eligibility classification at time of exit from preschool special education services, (b) the stability of classifications for students initially declassified and initially classified, …

The Effects Of The Provision Of An Interactive Teaching Program And Word Processors On The Writing Of Year 9 Students With Learning Disabilities, Cecily Cropley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Three male year nine students with learning disabilities were given an intervention program that involved use of a word processor to write science fiction stories. The program was conducted over a five-week period. The effects of the use of the word processor alone were compared to the effects of the provision of an interactive teaching course program in conjunction with a word processor. The treatment program was a single subject treatment design. One participant's writing improved to an equal extent whether or not an interactive teaching program was provided. A second participant's fluency, spelling and the number of unique words …

Regular Teachers' Attitudes To The Need For Additional Classroom Support For Integrated Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Rory Mcnally

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to examine regular classroom teachers' attitudes to additional classroom support, both physical and personnel, for students with mild and severe intellectual disabilities who may be integrated into regular classrooms. The concerns of the regular classroom teachers with regard to the successful inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities are certainly merit addressing. As the regular classroom teachers are largely responsible for the education of these integrated students, it is worthwhile to examine their perceived support levels in relation to integrated students with intellectual disabilities. It is anticipated that the results of this study will prove …

Achievement, Locus Of Control, Self-Concept, Social Problem Solving Training And The Acquisition Of Prosocial Skills In Children, Laura Russomano

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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The Effects Of Prereferral Intervention Through The Connecticut Early Intervention Project On Special Education Prevalence Rates In Connecticut Schools, Marianne Eike Kirner

Dissertations

Problem. Prereferral intervention has been implemented in many schools across the country as one systemic solution to concerns about special education prevalence rates. This study analyzed change in special education prevalence rates in Connecticut schools participating in the Early Intervention Project (EIP) as compared to Connecticut schools not participating in the project. The project incorporates a building-based team using a problem-solving approach to provide prompt and sustained support to classroom teachers who request assistance in working with students who are at risk of referral for special education.

Method. The research design consisted of a comparison of special education prevalence change …