Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Special Education and Teaching

Theses/Dissertations

2003

Articles 1 - 27 of 27

Full-Text Articles in Education

The Effect Of A Non-Verbal Redirection On Out-Of-Seat Behavior In A Subject Diagnosed As Adhd And Mr, Amy Sharon Ellison-Marino Dec 2003

The Effect Of A Non-Verbal Redirection On Out-Of-Seat Behavior In A Subject Diagnosed As Adhd And Mr, Amy Sharon Ellison-Marino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This was a single subject study with the A-B-A-B across settings withdrawal design. This design was selected because the subject has comorbidity issues, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Mental Retardation (MR). This researcher implemented the A-B-A-B design and collected data during all four phases. The subject was a eight year old Hispanic female diagnosed as ADHD and mild MR. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity, lack of ability to focus attention, and hyperactivity. MR is characterized by below average intellectual functioning which significantly limits functioning in at least two skill areas.


An Analysis Of Improving Teacher Efficacy To Enhance Student Learning By Developing An Evaluation Instrument For Special Education Teachers, Sollie J. Pinkston-Miles Oct 2003

An Analysis Of Improving Teacher Efficacy To Enhance Student Learning By Developing An Evaluation Instrument For Special Education Teachers, Sollie J. Pinkston-Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to design an evaluation instrument to reflect state standards and implementation of instructional performance criteria for special education teachers. It was designed to evaluate the performance of the specific job duties and instructional responsibilities required of special educators to determine if the instrument indicates teacher efficacy and provides adequate opportunities for feedback to improve performance. A total of 30 special education teachers from 4 different schools within the same school district participated in the study to evaluate the instrument. The respondents were categorized according to tenured or non-tenured status, and either co-teaching or self-contained …


Effects Of Co-Teaching On Student Participation And Math Success On Students With Learning Disabilities In The General Education Classroom, Mia Karen Baldwin Aug 2003

Effects Of Co-Teaching On Student Participation And Math Success On Students With Learning Disabilities In The General Education Classroom, Mia Karen Baldwin

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

A Numerous research studies have been conducted to determine the effects of inclusion on academics, few of these studies specify the method used. The purpose of this study was to determine whether co-teaching would increase student's participation in the regular math classroom. The study was conducted in a sixth-grade regular education classroom in which students with learning disabilities were included. The co-teaching consisted mostly of interactive teaching between the regular education and the special education teacher. The subjects were students identified with a learning disability in either math calculation or math reasoning. The results indicated that student participation was not …


Factors That Contribute To The Retention Of Mexican American Special Education Teachers, Michelle R. Koyama Aug 2003

Factors That Contribute To The Retention Of Mexican American Special Education Teachers, Michelle R. Koyama

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Every school year there are reports of the large number of teaching vacancies in the nation, particularly in the field of special education. Currently there are numerous studies addressing the factors that cause special education teachers to leave the classroom, however, there are few studies that suggest variables that contribute to teachers remaining for five years or longer. Further, there are no published studies to date that address the retention of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) teachers, particularly, Mexican American special education teachers. Grounded surveys were constructed through guided interviews that were distributed to 114 participants in two urban school …


Transition From School To Adult Life: What Have We Done To Support Students With Disabilities?, Ann Theresa Adams Jun 2003

Transition From School To Adult Life: What Have We Done To Support Students With Disabilities?, Ann Theresa Adams

Theses and Dissertations

As a legal component of an individual's IEP, a transition plan essentially should represent and include activities to prepare individuals with disabilities for postgraduate experiences. Activities should be individualized and relevant to each individual intended post school environments. Though a legal requirement, much research reports negatively on transition planning implementation. Some negative findings listed in research are as follows: lack of collaboration among individuals involved in the transition process; lack of student involvement in planning; ineffective design of students' goals and objectives; lack of linking students with adult agency providers for post graduate support services, and overall negative post school …


Teachers' Perspectives On Grade Retention: Is It Effective?, Joseph Terch Iv May 2003

Teachers' Perspectives On Grade Retention: Is It Effective?, Joseph Terch Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Grade retention has been a problem since the mid-19th century when the concept of individual grades replaced the one room schoolhouse. Extensive research was reported on grade retention, its effect, and impact on the referral of students with learning disabilities, parent and teacher perspectives. The research findings on retention are inconclusive and questionable. The purposes of this study are (a) to evaluate the teacher attitudes towards grade retention, and (b) to compare the differences of teacher attitudes at elementary, middle and high school levels. A survey was developed and approximately 150 were distributed to teachers. Of these 150, 120 were …


The Effect Of Social Skills Training For Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities, Patricia M. Swenson May 2003

The Effect Of Social Skills Training For Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities, Patricia M. Swenson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the social skills program "Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child" for elementary children with learning disabilities. Two first grade and two second grade students participated in the study. All students were classified as specific learning disabled and were included in the general education classroom with instructional support from a resource room. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions, using the "Skillstreaming" program 20 minutes per day, four days a week for 3 weeks, and weekly follow-up of review for 4 weeks with a total of 7 weeks.

A multiple baseline design …


Using Background Music To Reduce Off-Task Behaviors Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Lesa Deshield Givens May 2003

Using Background Music To Reduce Off-Task Behaviors Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Lesa Deshield Givens

Theses and Dissertations

Many children with learning disabilities (LD) frequently exhibit attention and motivational problems as well as impulsive and physically aggressive behaviors (Hoy & Gregg, 1994). Thus, learning, for these students, is a great challenge and for teachers, providing effective instruction is a great challenge too. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of background music on the classroom behavior of students with learning disabilities. A sample of 7 students with learning disabilities from grades 4 and 5 participated in this study. They received instruction in the language arts and math in two (2) special education resource classrooms. A …


A Comparison Study On Self-Esteem Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Different Educational Placements, Kara A. Cooper May 2003

A Comparison Study On Self-Esteem Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Different Educational Placements, Kara A. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the self-esteem of students with learning disabilities who were being placed in different settings, such as inclusive classrooms, self-contained classrooms, and resource rooms. Students who were classified and eligible for special education under the category of specific learning disabilities participated in this study. Three groups of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students with a total of 82 students were surveyed. The survey consisted of ten statements related to the students' perceptions of themselves. The surveys were administered individually to the three groups of students. …


A Study In The Effectiveness Of The Three To Get Ready Program In Promoting Language Learning, Megan Crank May 2003

A Study In The Effectiveness Of The Three To Get Ready Program In Promoting Language Learning, Megan Crank

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to: examine the effectiveness of a trimotoric approach using the Three to Get Ready program; to assist preschool children with disabilities to understand basic concepts and increase verbalization skills. Four students between the ages of 3 and 4 ½ years old participated in this study. They were identified as preschool disabled by school district personnel using state eligibility standards, according to the state administration code (2001). All participating children had IEP objectives in expressive language and communication. They attended a public school in Southern New Jersey and were enrolled in the class for children …


The Effects Of Self-Management And Positive Reinforcement On The Off-Task Behavior Of Students With Adhd, Cari Mcgaffney Bonner May 2003

The Effects Of Self-Management And Positive Reinforcement On The Off-Task Behavior Of Students With Adhd, Cari Mcgaffney Bonner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of self-management strategies together with positive reinforcement to reduce the off-task behavior of children with ADHD. Three first and second grade students with ADHD and classified with a disability attending an elementary school participated in the study. Students were taught to self-monitor their behaviors in their special education classroom. They were trained to record their behaviors by completing a self-management form that consisted of 7 items at the end of each school day. Three off-task behaviors: out-of-seat, calling out and interrupting instruction were observed. The decrease of the student target …


Improving Children's Reading Comprehension Skills Through Parental Involvement, Aughtney D. Khan May 2003

Improving Children's Reading Comprehension Skills Through Parental Involvement, Aughtney D. Khan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parental involvement upon children's reading achievement. The study investigated whether children with learning difficulty would improve reading comprehension when parents became actively involved in their child's reading activities. Five 3rd and 4th grade students attending a small private school in southern New Jersey, together with their parents, participated in this family reading program. They were identified as average readers who were having difficulty in comprehension. Prior to the start of the family reading program, students were individually administered a pre-reading inventory. Each student read 3 selected books and answered …


A Resource Guide To Support Minority Students At The Elementary Grade In The Kent School District With Learning Difficulties In The Area Of Reading, Patricia L. Drobny Jan 2003

A Resource Guide To Support Minority Students At The Elementary Grade In The Kent School District With Learning Difficulties In The Area Of Reading, Patricia L. Drobny

All Graduate Projects

A literature review was conducted to illustrate that there is an achievement gap in education between minority and white students. Probable causes contributing to the achievement gap and possible solutions to the gap were studied. The knowledge that high standards, a challenging curriculum and good teachers (Haycock, 2001), increases student achievement of minority students, inspired a project geared toward providing teachers with strategies to support minority students with learning difficulties in the area of reading. A model reading strategy guide featuring reading strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners was developed for presentation to Springbrook Elementary School. The guide …


Supporting Reading Instruction Of High School Students With Learning Disabilities By Using Wynn Software, Linda Kilgore Jan 2003

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.


The Classroom And Beyond: The Teacher's Role In Collaboration For Children With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Sarah Altman Jan 2003

The Classroom And Beyond: The Teacher's Role In Collaboration For Children With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Sarah Altman

Graduate Student Independent Studies

While many interventions have been used to help children with emotional and behavioral problems, outcomes for children with emotional and behavioral disturbances continue to be poor. Identifying teachers as essential collateral participants in evidence-based, systems approaches to addressing the needs of children with emotional and behavioral problems, this manual is offered as a guide for members of the education community. Teacher cooperation with empirically supported interventions, interagency collaboration, and programs that accept families as equal partners, have all been clearly supported by research and this collaborative role is discussed in light of relevant literature. Exploring the issues related to emotional …


Teacher Training And The Implementation Of Reading Instruction For Students With Mild To Moderate Mental Retardation, Nancy Sharlett Thompson Jan 2003

Teacher Training And The Implementation Of Reading Instruction For Students With Mild To Moderate Mental Retardation, Nancy Sharlett Thompson

Theses Digitization Project

This study was designed to investigate whether special education teachers are adequately trained to meet the literacy needs of students with mild to moderate retardation.


Perceptions Of Virginia Beginning Special Educators Regarding The Frequency And Helpfulness Of Mentoring Activities, Alice Claire Culotta Giacobbe Jan 2003

Perceptions Of Virginia Beginning Special Educators Regarding The Frequency And Helpfulness Of Mentoring Activities, Alice Claire Culotta Giacobbe

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Disability Resources For The Educator, Pauline Aines Kimball Jan 2003

Disability Resources For The Educator, Pauline Aines Kimball

Theses Digitization Project

This thesis identifies what disability resources are currently accessible and needed by the educator in order to service the disabled student in the classroom. It is a compilation of medical, academic, financial and equipment resources currently available to the educator.


The Effects Of Mediation On Relationships Between Families Of Students With Disabilities And School Personnel, Mary Suzanne Creasey Jan 2003

The Effects Of Mediation On Relationships Between Families Of Students With Disabilities And School Personnel, Mary Suzanne Creasey

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


A Correlational Study Of Dimensions Of Organizational Conflict, Management Styles, And Burnout Among Directors Of Special Education In Virginia, Allan Fleming Livers Jan 2003

A Correlational Study Of Dimensions Of Organizational Conflict, Management Styles, And Burnout Among Directors Of Special Education In Virginia, Allan Fleming Livers

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Parents, Perceptions, Passions, Pathways, And Patterns: Exploratory Case Studies Of Home Education In The Development Of Intellectually Gifted Individuals, Tacey Keller Hopper Jan 2003

Parents, Perceptions, Passions, Pathways, And Patterns: Exploratory Case Studies Of Home Education In The Development Of Intellectually Gifted Individuals, Tacey Keller Hopper

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Perceptions Of Elementary School Teachers Regarding Preparedness And Inclusionary Practices Of Classified Students In Public Elementary Schools, Melanie Littell North Jan 2003

Perceptions Of Elementary School Teachers Regarding Preparedness And Inclusionary Practices Of Classified Students In Public Elementary Schools, Melanie Littell North

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

.


Sensory Integration Dysfunction In Urban Head Start Populations: Why Children Have This Disorder And What Teachers Can Do About It, Helen Frazier Jan 2003

Sensory Integration Dysfunction In Urban Head Start Populations: Why Children Have This Disorder And What Teachers Can Do About It, Helen Frazier

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This paper addresses the environmental causes of and treatment for sensory integration disorder among children living in urban poverty. Established and current research is examined in order to provide a foundation for the practical aspects of this paper. This paper presents a general description of a Head Start program designed to support sensory integration and includes specific activities that support the tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular sensory systems. It concludes that, as a result of pre- and post-natal environmental factors that interfere with effective sensory integration, many Head Start children are not yet ready to learn to read.


Collaborative Practices In Schools: The Impact Of School -Based Leadership Teams On Inclusive Education, Lisa Jo Vernon Jan 2003

Collaborative Practices In Schools: The Impact Of School -Based Leadership Teams On Inclusive Education, Lisa Jo Vernon

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Instructional Strategies In Science Classrooms Of Specialized Secondary Schools For The Gifted, Donna Lorraine Poland Jan 2003

Instructional Strategies In Science Classrooms Of Specialized Secondary Schools For The Gifted, Donna Lorraine Poland

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Impact Of Early-Intervention/Prevention Services On The Northville Public Schools, Robert O. Sornson Jan 2003

The Impact Of Early-Intervention/Prevention Services On The Northville Public Schools, Robert O. Sornson

Dissertations

Problem

Whereas some school districts have continued to observe high rates of reading failure and increasing rates of special education identification, others have looked at program or system changes to reduce early learning failure. This study is an analysis of the impact of early intervention practices in the elementary schools of an upper-middle-class community.

Method

Cost analyses of district programs were compared to a hypothetical district with state average levels of special education identification. Special Education eligibility rates were tracked over a 10-year period. Data were collected from surveys given to Instructional-Support Team personnel, general education teachers, elementary administrators, and …


Fixing The Hole In The Pipe : Moving Beyond Prereferral Toward Changing The System, Jean T. Papandrea Jan 2003

Fixing The Hole In The Pipe : Moving Beyond Prereferral Toward Changing The System, Jean T. Papandrea

Dissertations

Problem

Too many students in school districts across the nation fail and are inappropriately referred for special education classification and services, when, in reality, they are not disabled, but are casualties of systems that do not have appropriate instructional intervention and support systems in place. This study explores the outcomes of an Instructional Support system called the 7 SHARE Initiative. Essential system components are: (a) Instructional Support Teachers (ISTs) in each school, (b) Curriculum-Based Assessment as developed by Edward E. Gickling, (c) direct instruction of strategies to students, and (d) modeling strategies for teachers to implement in class-wide applications.

Method …