Education Commons^™

Regular And Special Education Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Role In A Collaborative Teaching Model, Kristen Philbrick

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate regular and special education teachers' perceptions of their role in a collaborative teaching model ..The subjects of this study were (N=39) from elementary, middle, and high school levels . A self-developed survey was used in collecting data for this research. Responses were categorized as either regular or special education, and how much question items were representative of each teacher's particular classroom situation. An independent sample t-test was used to determine any significant differences between the perceptions of regular and special education teachers. A. Pearson-r was used to examine any significant relationships between …

Factors Affecting Parent Perceptions Of Children's Performance In Inclusive Classroom Settings, Amy M. Johnson

Theses & Honors Papers

The subjects of this study included parents of forty - five students with learning disabilities who were integrated in the regular education classroom from rural Virginia. A self developed questionnaire was used to collect the data . Thirteen (28%) of the questionnaires were returned. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that divorced parents, married couples working between 20 to 29 hours per week, married parents who both had finished college, single I divorced parents who had finished High School only, and parents who had one child or all children in the family receiving Special Educational services …

The Effects Of Dialogue Journal Writing On The Writing Apprehension Level Of Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities, Jennifer H. Dooley

Theses & Honors Papers

This study examined what effects writing in dialogue journals has on the writing apprehension level of middle school students identified as having a learning disability related to writing. Twenty eight students participated in the study , eleven of which served as a control group and eleven as an experimental group (other subjects were eliminated randomly ). Each subject completed the Writing Apprehension Measure before and after the treatment. During the six - week study , the control group wrote in journals three times each week. The experimental group wrote in journals three times each week and received a response from …

The Relationship Between Elementary Teacher Personality Types And Their Attitudes Toward Elementary Age Students With Learning Disabilities, Mary Beth Thompson

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between regular elementary teacher personality types and their attitudes toward elementary age students with learning disabilities. Subjects (n= 50) were regular elementary teachers grades two through six from five randomly sampled elementary schools in Virginia. 62% (n= 31) of the questionnaires were returned. The attitudes of the selected elementary teachers were determined by self-developed survey questionnaire using a Likert Scale. Personality types were determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). A Pearson r was used to analyze the data obtained from the Likert Scale and the MBTI at …

Instructional Techniques For Elementary Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Marlene Tiller

Theses & Honors Papers

Instructional techniques used with elementary students diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were investigated. Subjects included fifty (n=50 ) special education teachers of elementary level (K-5 ) students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or emotional disabilities (ED). Of the fifty subjects, only twenty-three surveys were returned . Subject s were asked to choose the most effective desk placement, classroom placement , classroom strategy , and teaching method for an elementary level student with ADHD . A t-test, chi- square, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data . No significant differences were found between the choices of teachers …

Student And Teacher Perceptions Of The Aversiveness Of Behavior Management Techniques, Brent Halstead

Theses & Honors Papers

This research investigated teacher and student perceptions of behavior management techniques. Subjects for this study were all ninth grade students in a city high school. Both the students and their homeroom teachers were surveyed. The sample was drawn from a city school district in central Virginia. The sample provided 169 subjects, five teachers and 164 students.

The results of the study were consistent with previous research in the field. Students thought public discipline and techniques that involved outside forces (parents, principals , etc.) were most aversive. Students perceived token economies and private correction as not aversive.

Social Skills Intervention For A Black Male With Serious Emotional Disturbance And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Bridget Graham

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of the study was to equip one eight-year old Black male, who has been labeled with serious emotional disturbance as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with a repertoire of social skills so that he might know how to make and maintain friendships. The behaviors of asking to play, joining in and waiting one's turn were targeted. The results of this study indicate that instruction in social skills increased the percentage of times the subject engaged in the targeted skills during play sessions.

Teaching Decision Making Skills, Beatrice Landrum Gallier

Theses & Honors Papers

Summarized in this document are results from a survey distributed to find the number of hours elementary, middle and high school teachers were trained to teach the six decision making skills to students . This survey found that at least sixty percent of all teachers responding received no training. The teachers indicated which skills were the most important for students to acquire . The skills which were most important for students to acquire were rated among the lowest for student mastery of the concept/skill. Although many of the teachers were not trained, they did report teaching the skills as the …

Special And Vocational Education Teachers' Perceptions Of Responsibility For Implementing Transition Objectives, Cindy Marie Driver

Theses & Honors Papers

Subjects from eight school districts in Central Virginia were surveyed. The sample included 73 secondary- school (grades 9 - 12) vocational education teachers from general academic public schools and 46 secondary {9 - 12 grades) special education teachers from public schools.

T-tests revealed significant differences in attitudes toward transition between the two groups. Special education teachers displayed significantly more awareness of transition goals, involvement in implementing these goals and increased communication about transition goals. Vocational education teachers indicated that they should attend the IEP meeting and have involvement in writing transition goals, but that they generally are not involved in …

Personality Traits Of Special Education, Regular Education, And Non-Education Teacher Preparation Graduate Students, Carla Crawley

Theses & Honors Papers

With the growing need for special education teachers, institutions of higher education need new ways to screen candidates for admissions purposes. Since research shows that people with specific personality characteristics/traits seem to be attracted to and better suited for certain careers, screening with personality inventories may be a solution to the admissions problem. The purpose of this study was to gain information regarding personality types of three groups of graduate special education students: 1) those with a special education teacher preparation background, 2) those with a regular education teacher preparation background, and 3) those with a non-education teacher preparation background. …

Secondary Special Education Teachers' Attitudes Toward Extended School Year Calendars, Stephanie Elizabeth Kidd

Theses & Honors Papers

This researcher conducted a study in four traditional school year calendar districts to determine teachers' attitudes towards extending the school year. All special education teachers and a randomly selected sample of regular education teachers from the middle and high schools from each school district were surveyed. A researcher-made survey was constructed using a Likert scale. Questions were constructed to obtain information about their own feelings toward extended school year program s and how their students might benefit from these services. Results were categorized as either regular or special education. A t-test was conducted to determine any significant differences between the …

Interactions Between Students With Emotional/Behavioral Disorders And Teachers In The Mainstream Setting, Susan Palese Page

Theses & Honors Papers

The author assessed the self reported behaviors of mainstream academic high school teachers who teach students with emotional/behavioral disorders with respect to preferred consequences for inappropriate student behaviors. Teachers were surveyed from four counties and asked to respond to an inappropriate student behavior with 1) positive reinforcement of the appropriate student behavior, 2) punishment of an inappropriate student behavior, 3) consequence which resulted in student escape from the academic task (negative reinforcement) or a free response of the teacher's choice. Results indicated that 49.6% of teacher responses were examples of positive reinforcement, 25.4% negative reinforcement, 6.4% punishment and 18.6% other …

Criteria For The Removal Of Children With Serious Emotional Disturbance From The Public School System, Becky Flippin

Theses & Honors Papers

Over the last decade, educators, administrators, and parents have become increasingly concerned regarding the identification and appropriate placement of children with serious emotional disturbance. These special individuals need a variety of services to enable them to function at their greatest level in the school system and in the community. The literature suggests that there are differences in the availability of programs in various school divisions and communities which may contribute to a child being prematurely placed in a residential treatment facility. Through surveying members of eligibility committees in various areas of the state, both urban and rural, this study has …

Regular Education Teacher's Perceptions Of Inclusion In Virginia, Karen F. Schroeder

Theses & Honors Papers

Forty regular education teachers responded to a questionnaire concerning regular education teachers·beliefs and perceptions about the benefits. attitudes, and effectiveness of inclusion. The results were analyzed by calculating percentages and means for each item of the questionnaire and by calculating mean scores for each respondent's questionnaire to examine positive or negative reactions to inclusion. In addition. a t-test was computed. The results indicated that regular education teachers who responded were not strongly positive towards _the inclusion of students with disabilities into regular education classrooms. The t-test showed no significant difference between regular education teachers who have students with disabilities included …

Student Perceptions Of Conflict Resolution Instruction, John Scott Forbes

Theses & Honors Papers

Today many of the Nation's youth exhibit poor conflict resolution techniques. Some students with emotionally/behaviorally disorders have never been taught appropriate ways to handle day to day conflicts while other students have been exposed to elective classes on social skills and conflict management. The literature states that there are effective and comprehensive curriculums to handle the instruction of conflict resolution skills. Through a series of interviews with students who have and have not been exposed to conflict resolution curricula, this study explored the differences those curricula had on the students compared to another group of students who hadn't been exposed …

A Descriptive Study Of Physical Interventions For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Laura Claydon

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this research was to study the perceptions of teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders in the Virginia public schools on the topic of physical restraints in the classroom, and to determine training and policies regarding physical restraints that the schools are providing . These areas were studied through a survey of 104 EBD teachers from Virginia school districts. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information and ten likert scale statements reflecting perceptions of physical intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. In addition, a Chi Square and an ANOVA were computed. Concerns that developed …

A Comparative Study Of Longwood College Freshmen And Senior Attitudes Towards Their Peers With Learning Disabilities, Tracy Hogan

Theses & Honors Papers

Ninety-five randomly. selected students at Longwood College responded to a questionnaire about their attitudes towards their peers with learning disabilities. The data was analyzed using a Three way analysis of variance to examine if gender, class and school had any effect on how students felt about their peers with learning disabilities. The results showed that there is a significant difference (p < .05) between the attitudes of males and females, females being more positive towards their peers with learning disabilities. Also, the results showed that there was a significant difference (p <.05) between the attitudes of students in the school of education and the students in liberal arts and sciences and business, with the education majors being more positive towards .their peers with learning disabilities than students · in the schools of liberal arts and sciences and business .

A Descriptive Study On The Similarities Of Fears Held By Preservice Special Education Teachers And Preservice Elementary Education Teachers Prior To Field-Based Experience, Christina Galloway

Theses & Honors Papers

Although a great deal of attention has been focused on the issue of teacher burnout, very little has been done at the preservice level for both special and elementary education teachers to prevent it. Research shows that burnout is most likely to occur in the first three years of teaching; therefore, steps should be taken during preservice teacher training to help future teachers deal more effectively with the challenges and stress they will undoubtedly encounter. This study investigated whether or not preservice elementary and special education teachers encounter the same fears prior to their field-based experience. Thirty preservice teachers responded …

Vocational Special Education: The Educators' Perceptions Of Program Benefits, Restrictions, And Future Implications., Suzanne V. Pruess

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits, restrictions, and future implications of vocational education. Using a self developed questionnaire, eight teachers in two south-central Virginia counties were interviewed. The data were analyzed and placed under themes. From the data obtained it was found that these vocational and special education teachers varied on certain areas they think are pertinent in vocational education. Areas that differentiated focused on the value of vocational programs, or how beneficial they are (responses of special educators emphasized this 33% and vocational teachers 66%), and the emphasis of community based instruction as a component …

An Analysis Of Curricular Options Currently Used In High School Resource Rooms For Students With Learning Disabilities In Virginia, Dana Harrison

Theses & Honors Papers

This study examined the curricular approaches for students with learning disabilities in high school resource rooms in the state of Virginia . Sixty-five resource room teachers participated in the study. Subjects completed a 25 item likert-type scale survey which reflected the five basic ·curricular opt ions for students with learning disabilities. Subjects were required to indicate the extent to which he or she emphasized the statement in the classroom. Descriptive Statistics, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and a Tukey Test of Multiple Comparisons were used to analyze the data. The results of the ANOVA revealed that Curricular Options (the Within …

Paraprofessionals In Special Education: Training And Expectations, Lourrie-Lyn E. Duddridge

Theses & Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Using Colored Overlays On The Reading Skills Of Visually Dyslexic Children, Mitzi D. Waller

Theses & Honors Papers

Reading is a critical skill that all students must learn , but for the child with dyslexia it can be a very difficult task to overcome . A tool that may be used to accommodate a student with dyslexia is that of a colored overlay . The following is a study that examined the effects of colored overlays on the reading skills of one fifth-grade student and one sixth-grade student who are dyslexic . The Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests - Revised and an informal reading assessment were used as the measuring instruments . The results of those two tests were …

A Follow-Up Study Of Students Exiting New Dominion School, Lillian M. Firestone-Johansen

Theses & Honors Papers

The research of the past two decades has resulted in a proliferation of information regarding the various reasons for dropping out of school and the characteristics of dropouts. Little has been done, however, to examine the life outcomes of those who have dropped out, or of how various treatments effect those outcomes . This is also true for those youth who are still in school, but who have become academically disengaged. The purpose of this study was to gain information regarding the life outcomes of students who attended a wilderness, residential treatment school called New Dominion. Questionnaires were mailed to …

The Perceptions Of Students With Mild Mental Retardation Regarding Their Present Program And Preparation For Future Employment, Shirl Carwile

Theses & Honors Papers

Two programs for students with mild mental retardation , a school-based program, and a community ­based instruction program were compared . The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover the perceptions of high school students with mild mental retardation about their present educational experiences and their preparation for future employment. Interviews of four students were obtained and examined to determine common themes among students and across programs .

Faculty Perception Of Attitude, Knowledge, And Accommodations For Students With Learning Disabilities, Diane Majewski

Theses & Honors Papers

Ninety-three (48%) faculty members responded to the questionnaire concerning attitude, knowledge, and willingness to provide accommodations to students with learning disabilities. The variables included were gender, rank, professional position, interaction with students known to have a learning disability, and total years teaching at the college level. The results were analyzed by calculating percentages for each item in the questionnaire. The results indicated that the faculty's knowledge of students with learning disabilities was the faculty are more willing to provide classroom accommodations than out-of-class accommodations.low; however, the faculty maintained a positive attitude. In addition the faculty are more willing to provide …

A Comparative Study Of Self Esteem As It Relates To Alcohol Use Among Inmates With Learning Disabilities And Inmates With No Prior Special Education Services., Lisa Mcvey Reid

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between learning disabilities and self esteem as it relates to alcohol use in young men at a correctional facility. A standardized alcohol questionnaire was distributed to those men identified as having a learning disability and to nondisabled men. Subjects were matched according to age and sex. Those students who were identified as having a learning disabilitity had a specially coded survey for identification purposes. Names did not appear on the questionnaire in order to maintain strict confidentiality.

Those men who were receiving learning disabilities services were found to have a …

The Effects Of Goal Setting And Task Selection On Perceived Competence, Intrinsic Motivation, And Spelling Performance Of A Group Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Tracy Lee Osborne

Theses & Honors Papers

The intrinsic motivation, spelling performance, and perceived competence of students with learning disabilities was examined. Eight students with learning disabilities decided which and how many words they would attempt on weekly spelling test.s and chose the practice activity they would complete each day. Each student -set a goal of how many of the words attempted would be correct on the spelling test (i. e., .perceived competence). Harter 's.Scale of . Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Orientation in the Classroom was administered as a pretest . and posttest. No significant difference in mean scores was found on the Harter scale. ·Average spelling test …

Effects Of Sign Language On Letter-Sound Recognition Of A Non-Hearing Impaired, Developmentally Delayed Student, Joanne Bear

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sign language on letter-sound recognition of a non-hearing impaired, developmentally delayed student. A single subject was probed on letter-sound recognition skills and then three letters were selected that the subject did not know. The subject was taught sign language (i.e., fingerspelling for each of the three letters and a sign for a cue word for each letter) to enhance letter recognition skills . Using a multiple probe across behaviors design, it was found that after three weeks sign language improved the subject's performance at letter recognition and naming of …

Transitioning Skills In Students With Learning Disabilities, Gayle W. Anderson

Theses & Honors Papers

A study was conducted in five counties in rural Southside Virginia regarding transitioning skills in students with learning disabilities. The sample consisted of 37 teachers of students with learning disabilities in grades four through eight. The primary purpose of the study was to examine the instructional time spent per week teaching transitioning skills. Transitioning skills were defined as skills directly related to independent, adult living. Results indicated that while the majority of the teachers taught transitioning skills to their students with learning disabilities, less than half had received instruction on how to teach these skills. Less than one third of …

Criteria For Students To Exit From Elementary School Learning Disability Programs, Hannah G. Vaughan

Theses & Honors Papers

Criteria for students to exit from elementary school learning disability programs were studied. A survey was sent to Special Education supervisors in public school districts in Virginia to gather information concerning LD exit criteria. It was predicted that most school divisions would not have criteria for exiting from their elementary learning disabilities programs. Discussion presented possible exit criteria from elementary school learning disability programs in Virginia. Much of the research found focuses on the needs of the regular education teacher or the school division rather than on the needs of the child. Eligibility and exit criteria were surprisingly similar in …