Education Commons^™

A Different Perspective On Inclusion, Amy E. Hill

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Nineteen parents and students were interviewed in fifteen different interviews. Participants were asked a series of questions to explore their perspectives on the inclusion of children with disabilities in general education classrooms. Their responses were recorded via tape recorder and written documentation. Parents of children with and without disabilities felt that inclusion is beneficial socially and developmentally to all involved. Students without disabilities do not mind having children with disabilities in their classroom.

A Play On Touching, Lindsay Marie Hobbs-Rodriguez

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of the present study is to examine what type of mathematic program best teaches students with mental retardation how to compute basic addition facts. It was hypothesized that the Touch Math program would be used as a strategy more effectively and with greater speed by students with mental retardation when solving addition problems, than other non-Touch Math strategies. Participants include one child with the secondary diagnosis of mental retardation, as determined by her latest Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Adolescent Females With Asperger Syndrome, Lisa Marie Beteta

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Minimal research focuses on females with Asperger Syndrome (AS). Without understanding the experiences of this population, the knowledge and understanding necessary for the development of appropriate diagnosis and supports is unavailable. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain insights into the challenges faced by females with AS by describing the central phenomena of their lived experiences from a critical feminist theoretical framework. Four participants were included in the study that explored their lived experiences pertaining to academic, home, personal, and social experiences including their recollections pertaining to these social contexts during elementary, middle, and high school. Data was …

Attitudes Of K-12 School Administrators Toward Speech-Language Programs In Public Schools, Carmen L. Jones

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined K-12 school administrators' attitudes toward speech language pathology services in public schools. Elementary, middle, and secondary school based administrators, employed in 63 school districts throughout Florida, were solicited to participate in the study in a letter of invitation generated by a web-based design program, Enterprise Feedback Management (EFM) Community. Administrators volunteering in the study were given an assurance of confidentiality and fair treatment concerning their participation. A survey instrument, the Scale of Educators 'Attitudes toward Speech Pathology (SEASP) consisting of 10 demographic items and 34 positive and negative statements about speech and language programs in schools was …

An Intervention Study Of Primary Age Gifted Students With Strong Nonverbal Abilities From Low Income And Culturally Diverse Backgrounds, Joanne Russillo Funk

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The prevalence of high nonverbal reasoning strength among children from low income, culturally diverse backgrounds challenges the education community to provide effective instruction for these students (Briggs et al., 2008; Koshy & Robinson, 2006; Olszewski-Kubilius, 2007; Robinson et al., 1997; VanTassel-Baska, 2003b; VanTassel-Baska, Feng, & Evans, 2007). Research on the well-being and progress of young gifted students confirms that stimulating material resources, association with intellectual peers, and formal educational interventions designed to optimize students' strengths improves the educational outlook for these students (Bittker, 1991; Campbell et al., 2001; Clasen, 2006; Corno et al., 2002; Morelock & Morrison, 1999; Ramey & …

The Impact Of Children’S Literature And Discussion On Attitudes Toward Disability, Christie Routel

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study examines the impact of reading children’s literature that contains a positive and realistic portrayal of a character with a learning disability on the attitudes of students without disabilities toward their peers with disabilities. Children completed the Attitude Toward Disabled Persons Scale (ADTP) before and after listening to a story and participating in guided discussion. The researcher conducted individual interviews with a smaller group of children based on changes in their attitudes on the surveys. Quantitative results indicate a statistically significant and large positive effect on attitudes towards persons with disabilities from participating in reading and discussion. Qualitative results …

A Study Of Direct Instructional Spelling Strategies And Their Effect On Students With Special Needs Who Are Classified With Mild Mental Disabilities, Steven Douglas Preast

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Spelling is a challenging task for many individuals, especially for those classified as Mild Mentally Disabled. Although considerable literature exists in the areas of special education and spelling, little research is evident involving these two areas in combination. In an attempt to address this gap, the researcher conducted a single subject research study to investigate the hypothesis that direct instruction of spelling enhances the spelling skills of students with special needs. Perceptions of parents, students, and teachers on how this program impacted student spelling skills was also investigated. Quantitative data from this study was collected from the SRA Spelling Mastery …

The Impact Of Enrollment In A Combined Reading And Learning Strategies Course On Exceptional Students' Fcat Reading Scale Scores, Coral Kathleen Hanson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Previous research has shown that because remediation and support replace required and career-defining courses, exceptional students fall behind, ill equipped to act in society as autonomous adults. No Child Left Behind requires reading proficiency, so students failing standardized tests must take remedial courses. Individualized education plans often require support courses. However, there remains an important gap in the literature regarding the usefulness of reading, standardized testing, and leadership research to solve this problem. A class combining reading and support for students with exceptionalities exists at 1 high school. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the combined program …

General And Special Educators' Attitudes Toward Students With Severe Disabilities Included In The Regular Education Classroom, Tracie Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal legislation mandates the inclusion of students with disabilities into the regular classroom. This integration is often met with resistance from the educators. The purpose of this study was to determine teachers' attitudes toward the inclusion of students with severe disabilities in the general education classroom. The research problem addressed the attitudes of educators who are implementing inclusion practices for students with severe disabilities. These attitudes are an integral part of successful inclusion practices. The theoretical basis for inclusion can be found in Wolfensberger's normalization principle and his examination of social role valorization which support placing a person with a …

The Relationship Between Instructional Delivery And Academic Motivation Of Included Elementary School Students With Special Needs, Daniele L. Kass

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Federal and local school system reports demonstrate an academic achievement gap in inclusive classrooms between students with and without disabilities, prompting attention to alternative instructional practices that support motivation and performance of included students. The purpose of this concurrent nested mixed method study was to fill a void in the literature and explore the impact of interdisciplinary thematic instruction on the motivation levels and performance outcomes of 6 included 5th-grade elementary students with special needs. A multiple case study design guided observations and interviews of 3 participants receiving interdisciplinary, theme-based instruction and 3 participants who continued to receive the traditional, …

Effectiveness Of Inclusion In An Indiana Middle School, Clinton Todd Bowers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Repeated poor performance by students with special needs on the Indiana Statewide Test of Educational Progress (ISTEP) in an Indiana middle school supported the need for instructional changes. Following the implementation of a full inclusion program, a problem arose in that the program had not been evaluated and effectiveness was in question. This study, grounded in the constructivist and social reproduction theoretical frameworks, is important in explaining the effectiveness of a fully inclusive school. Whether placing middle school aged children with special needs in inclusive classrooms in the middle school setting is an effective practice is the research question guiding …

The Effectiveness Of Fba-Based Interventions On Social Goals And Behaviors Of A Student At Risk Of E/Bd, Hsin-Ju Chen

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) based interventions for improving prosocial goals and behaviors and reducing problem behaviors of a student at risk of emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD). Specifically, this study was interested in whether the behavioral intervention plans based on the function of behavior had an impact on the student's thought processes impacting prosocial decision making. There was one 11-year-old student who was placed in the behavior intervention class (BIC) participating in this study. Results showed that overall, the student's problem behaviors seemed to decrease during the classroom universal …

Assistive Technology As A Cognitive Developmental Tool For Students With Learning Disabilities Using 2d And 3d Computer Objects, Felipe D. Guevara

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study presented a theory in which assistive technology and body kinesthetic helped students understand concepts taught in the regular education classroom. The study included students already identified and diagnosed with a learning disability (LD). The research is based on cognitive theories that state that cognitive development could use alternative representation to have a deeper impact in the way Students with LD process information by activating different parts of the brain that are involved in the learning process. The study included students from 9th thru 12th grades. Students were selected from the ones receiving services from the special education department …

The Effectiveness Of Multicultural Based Social Stories To Increase Appropriate Behaviors Of Children With Developmental Delay, Ning Hsu

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The needs of students from culturally and linguistically diverse background have become a growing concern in America. It is a great challenge for educators to provide appropriate education for culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities. Although there are some researchers that espouse effective principles of multicultural special education, there have been few empirical on the effectiveness.

Social Stories are a practical behavioral intervention which has been regarded as an individualized intervention since the student's needs, background and learning style should be took into consideration. This present research used an ABA design to compare the modified social story with and …

Paraprofessionals Who Work With Elementary Grade Students With Significant Disabilities In Inclusive Settings, Regina Moreno

Dissertations and Theses

The use of paraprofessional services is an established and crucial aspect in the pursuit of a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities. Paraprofessionals are often the primary providers of instruction for students with severe disabilities yet are the least trained instructional personnel in schools. Identified competencies and necessary training content for paraprofessionals who serve students with severe disabilities are nearly absent in the professional literature.

This study extended the current literature regarding paraprofessionals who serve students with disabilities in public schools by focusing specifically on those paraprofessionals who serve students with severe disabilities in inclusive general education …

Effective Strategies For General And Special Education Teachers, Heather A. Martel

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Today’s teachers are asked to educate ALL students using research-based strategies in inclusive classrooms. The following review will include three research based instructional strategies and one teaching model all of which are elements that can increase the success of students at risk for learning problems. Instructional strategies explored in this review are class-wide peer tutoring, direct instruction and the behavioral strategy of self-monitoring. The teaching model is known as co-teaching, a model which is becoming the norm in schools in southeast Michigan. It is hypothesized that concrete knowledge of research based instructional methods that can be used in co-teaching situations …

Factors Of Effective Co-Teaching Between Special And General Educators, Jake Zisla

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that lead to effective co-teaching relationships between special and general educators. With an increasing focus on inclusion of students with special needs into the general curriculum, co-teaching provides special education teachers an opportunity to provide services within that general curriculum, while giving general educators necessary support. The sfudy was conducted in the form of an initial survey with seven participants, as well as four in-depth case studies of special and general educators currently in co-teaching relationships. The results were analyzed along three major theme areas: collaboration, roles and outcomes. Compatibility, …

A Study Of The Talent Development Of Gifted Individuals With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Diann Gully

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Military Children And Holistic Education: A Narrative Reflection On Classroom Practice, Edith Allison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation uses autobiographical narrative inquiry as a source of knowledge-generating reflection to examine how the educational needs of military children might be met through the use of holistic educational practices rather than a (well-intentioned) traditional, standardized curriculum. Data were gathered through observation; personal experience as a military child, military member, mother of military children and teacher of military children; journal entries and vicarious experiences shared by students, parents, educators and other invested in this population of learners. Experiences were compiled into fictional composites to protect the identity of all parties as well as national security. These composites were then …

Student Perceptions Of Learning Disability Labels At The Junior High And High School Level, Ashley L. Matheson

Master of Education Research Theses

This qualitative research study provides student perceptions of their own Learning Disability labels at the Junior High and High School level. All thirty-five students who were involved answered questions during in-depth interviews. The students represented a sample population of small, rural, and public junior high and high school students. Interview questions focused on the benefits and limitations of being labeled with a learning disability. Data analysis results showed that students preferred being in special education or being labeled as learning disabled because they are able to gain help in order to be successful in school. Limitations and negative aspects were …

An Evaluation Study Of The Curriculum And Instructional Approaches Employed In The Norfolk Public Schools Gifted Program, Katie A. Dolph

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which the Norfolk Public Schools, Virginia, district elementary gifted grouping model was aligned with the National Association for Gifted Children Standards and its Local Plan for the Education of Gifted Students in regards to curriculum and instruction, as well as to provide data on classroom instruction techniques and the curriculum currently being used to provide gifted education services in the district.;The evaluation questions were (1) to what degree has the eighth recommendation of the 2005-06 evaluation study been implemented in the Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) district in regards to …

Effects Of Explicit Subtraction Instruction On Fifth Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Danielle Ferreira

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study involved an investigation of the effects of strategy instruction integrated with the concrete-representational-abstract teaching sequence on students with learning disabilities. A multiple probe design across subjects with one replication was used in this study. Two sets of data were analyzed to determine effectiveness of the independent variable (intervention lessons). The first data set consisted of pre and posttest percentage scores and the second data set consisted of baseline, intervention, and maintenance probe scores that were collected throughout the study per the parameters of a multiple probe design. The probe scores were plotted in line graph format and analyzed …

An Examination Of The Relationships Between Ego Development, Dabrowski's Theory Of Positive Disintegration, And The Behavioral Characteristics Of Gifted Adolescents, Carrie Lynn Bailey

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between ego development, Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration (TPD), and the social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of gifted adolescents. Literature exploring the experiences of gifted individuals has often focused on asynchronous development, particularly during childhood and adolescence. Also discussed in the literature concerning gifted students are the unique social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics innate to the gifted population. However, there is still an unclear picture concerning the implications of this work as related to the specific counseling needs of gifted students, and little empirical support is provided. This study seeks …

Effective School -Wide Discipline Through Positive Behavior Supports: An Analysis Of Current Practice, Dawn H. Padden

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation status of School-wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBS) in selected elementary and middle schools (N = 123) situated within three regions of Virginia. Additionally this study sought to identify and determine the relative impact of specific facilitators and barriers to successful implementation. Finally, this study identified the types of professional development opportunities related to SWPBS available to school personnel. In order to answer each overarching research question, participants were asked to complete the School-wide Positive Behavior Support Systems Implementation Survey, a validated instrument, adapted from the Delaware PBS Implementation Self Assessment. …

Self -Efficacy Beliefs Of Elementary General Education Teachers In Inclusive Classrooms And The Role Of Professional Development, Sheila S. Ashley

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In an effort to provide greater access and progress in the general education curriculum and higher levels of standards proficiency for students with disabilities, school districts across the nation have substantially increased placements in inclusive classroom settings. This thrust has significantly challenged and frustrated general educators due to their perceptions of incompetence related to meeting the needs of students with disabilities in the absence of appropriate training and support.;This study used mixed-methods research to explore differences in general educators' self-efficacy beliefs based on IEP-identified students' learning or behavioral challenges; variation in classroom practice between high and low self-efficacy teachers relative …

A Comparative Study Of The Course Taking And Performance Patterns Of High Achieving Secondary Students, Dewelynn Joyce Heeb Selberg

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Part one of this study relied on archival data of an urban public high school to explain and compare the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) course taking patterns and program exam performance of high school students who had participated in the district's program for gifted learners, the Extended Learning Program (ELP), when in grades 4-8, with those that did not.;Adapting Gagne's (2003, 2004) Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMTG) as a conceptual framework, part two of this study examined the intrapersonal and environmental catalysts affecting the talent development process as perceived by seniors, enrolled in an AP …

Predicting Success: Academic Potential And Talent Development Factors Among Black And White Students, Valija Cynthia Rose

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Section 504 In Practice: Dark Days For Student Rights, Ann S. Maydosz

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broadly worded statement that addresses discrimination in schools and other settings. Enacted at about the same time as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 has been used sparingly in elementary and secondary schools. Section 504 presents an opportunity to redress educational inequities for struggling students because it can provide support for students with disabilities and impairments not covered by IDEA. However, due to vague wording, unclear case law, and limited training for school divisions and practitioners, schools are unsure how to implement and to comply with Section …

Characteristics Of Highly Effective Teachers: A Perspective From Students With Disabilities, David J. Smith

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Teacher quality is a widely discussed topic in education. States, districts, schools, parents, and other stakeholders want to know how to measure, improve, and reward teacher quality. A major factor in the rise in interest about teacher quality is clear evidence that individual teachers are able to positively affect student achievement, specifically in relationship to students' standardized test scores (No Child Left Behind Legislation). Even a cursory look at statewide student achievement data reveals that students with disabilities are achieving at lower levels in comparison to their peers without disabilities.

While several researchers have asked students to identify characteristics of …

The Effectiveness Of Colored Overlays On Reading Achievement And Attitudes Toward Reading For Students With Scotopic Sensitive Syndrome, Hanan Ali Bagabas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study investigated the effects on students identified with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS) or Irlen Syndrome (IS) when using colored overlays as an intervention (immediately and over time) to assess reading performance (rate, accuracy, and comprehension); to measure visual-motor integration; and to assess attitude toward reading. SSS/IS is a visual perceptual problem related to a collection of symptoms that affects an individual's performance when reading. Three participants, all males (one 3rd -grade student, one 4th -grade student, and one 5th -grade student), were identified as having SSS/IS and other learning disabilities.

The study involved five test instruments (Irlen Reading Perceptual …