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Full-Text Articles in Education

Evidence-Based Practices And Teacher Practice, Deanna Mozingo Parish Apr 2022

Evidence-Based Practices And Teacher Practice, Deanna Mozingo Parish

Theses and Dissertations

The use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) by special education teachers is still inconsistent. Additionally, special education teachers often have little knowledge of high-quality indicators of research that identify specific EBPs proven effective for designated populations of students with disabilities. Teacher preparation during college programs (i.e., pre-service) and training from districts (i.e., in-service) can certainly play an important role in introducing EBPs to special education teachers. In pre-service and in-service training, observation, feedback, and coaching experiences can help to ensure the acquisition of skills and implementation of EBPs into daily teaching. In this study, I investigated special education teachers’ experiences with …


School Psychologists’ Involvement In Transition Programming, Valerie Bell Oct 2021

School Psychologists’ Involvement In Transition Programming, Valerie Bell

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the extent school psychologists reported pre-service training programs addressed involvement in transition programming (e.g., planning, monitoring, and evaluation); their involvement in it; their desire to be involved in transition; possible factors influencing school psychologists’ involvement in it; and if pre-service and professional training in transition affects school psychologists’ involvement and perceptions of their role in the process. Four hundred-fifteen respondents completed and anonymous, online survey. Results indicated participants had not received pre-service training or professional development related to transition; they were rarely or never involved in transition at the elementary, middle, and/or high school levels, although they …


Secondary Administrators’ Perspectives On Their Involvement In And Barriers To Supporting Secondary Transition Programs For Students With Disabilities, Dottie H. Brown Oct 2021

Secondary Administrators’ Perspectives On Their Involvement In And Barriers To Supporting Secondary Transition Programs For Students With Disabilities, Dottie H. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

To address disparities in post-school outcomes for students with disabilities, federal legislation mandates appropriate education programs to include transition planning and programs for students with disabilities. Because administrators are held responsible for ensuring appropriate educational programs for all learners including those with disabilities, it is important to understand their perspectives on secondary transition; however, research on administrators’ involvement in secondary transition activities is limited. Using a single-state survey, this study examined the perspectives of secondary school administrators on their involvement and engagement in providing effective transition programs and services for students with disabilities and their perceptions of barriers to providing …


Administrative Support: What Teachers Say They Need, Jennifer Harris Watson Oct 2021

Administrative Support: What Teachers Say They Need, Jennifer Harris Watson

Theses and Dissertations

For more than three decades research has shown Administrative Support as a mitigating factor for teacher attrition. It has also been associated with teacher satisfaction and positive school climate. In all of these studies authors have failed to agree on consistent definition of the phenomena and attrition rates along with satisfaction rates have been relatively unchanged. In 1981, House established four dimensions of worker support (1981) to mitigate worker burnout and attrition. His theoretical framework consisted of emotional support, appraisal support, instrumental support, and informational support in a factory work setting. Littrell et al. (1994) used House’s work to attempt …


How Do Adults Who Are Blind Desribe Their Quality Of Life?, Loreta Dylgjeri Oct 2021

How Do Adults Who Are Blind Desribe Their Quality Of Life?, Loreta Dylgjeri

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study aimed to understand the Quality of Life (QOL) of six adults who are blind in the communities where they live or work. QOL is a construct that attempts to define what it means to “live the good life” (Schalock & Verdugo, 2002). To understand how individuals who are blind describe their QOL, we need a thorough understanding of how they describe their QOL based on their own lived experiences, beliefs, understandings, and attitudes towards the QOL. This study used a phenomenology method and was theoretically based on the QOL theory and its core domains and indicators, as …


A Conceptual Analysis Of The Mand And Its Relevance To Acquisition, Meka N. Mccammon Apr 2021

A Conceptual Analysis Of The Mand And Its Relevance To Acquisition, Meka N. Mccammon

Theses and Dissertations

With the rapid increase in the diagnostic rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there has been a growing need for evaluating the trends in training natural change agents to implement behavioral interventions and coming to a consensus on training procedures that are efficacious, efficient, and accessible. The purpose of this multiple manuscript dissertation is to describe three studies in a line of research designed to contribute to the video modeling literature as well as illuminate gaps in the literature concerning the assessment of generalization and maintenance of student mand outcomes and the components essentials to mand training. Specifically, video models …


Fostering Self-Determination Skills Among High Schools Students With Disabilites In An Online Environment, Laura Simmons Apr 2021

Fostering Self-Determination Skills Among High Schools Students With Disabilites In An Online Environment, Laura Simmons

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the understanding of high school special education teachers in an online setting, in regard to self-determination skills. It also explored current instructional practices utilized in the online setting as well as perceived challenges and barriers for instruction and the acquisition of self - determination skills for students with a variety of disabilities in grades 9-12 enrolled in two specific online schools located in the south east region of the U.S. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted and held virtually with the nine participants in this study. The emerging themes were analyzed and viewed through the lens …


The Continuum Of Support For Building Intimacy Knowledge In College For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Chelsea Vanhorn Stinnett Oct 2019

The Continuum Of Support For Building Intimacy Knowledge In College For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disability, Chelsea Vanhorn Stinnett

Theses and Dissertations

Adults with intellectual disability report the same relational and sexual intimacy needs as those without disability, yet experience barriers in accessing intimacy education and engaging in intimacy. Postsecondary education (PSE) programs for students with intellectual disability allow for college students to experience a higher level of autonomy in choice-making they may not have experienced in their family home. The Continuum of Support for Intimacy Knowledge in College Survey (CoSIK-C) was used to examine how PSE programs support college students in building their intimacy knowledge, intimacy education professional development opportunities for PSE staff members, and staff perceptions on factors that could …


Family Engagement In Secondary Transition: Importance, Frequency, And Preparedness Identified By Transition Professionals, Gerda Kumpiene Oct 2019

Family Engagement In Secondary Transition: Importance, Frequency, And Preparedness Identified By Transition Professionals, Gerda Kumpiene

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine transition professionals' perceptions of the importance of family engagement practices, how frequently specific family engagement practices are implemented, and the perceived level of preparation to implement these practices. The survey instrument was created for the purpose of this study, based on the extant literature review related to the specific family engagement practices that transition professionals implement in their work. A total of 237 transition specialists from 81 South Carolina school districts and 24 South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department local offices participated in the study. To identify the underlying structure of the specific …


Collaboration Within Special Education Transition: Perceptions Of Barriers, Strategies, And Effects Of Collaboration, Elizabeth Magee Oct 2019

Collaboration Within Special Education Transition: Perceptions Of Barriers, Strategies, And Effects Of Collaboration, Elizabeth Magee

Theses and Dissertations

Transitioning students with disability demonstrate poorer outcomes in employment, education, and independent living than peers without disability. Legislation and research aimed at supporting transitioning students has led to increased understanding of initiatives that can better support youth and families. Interagency collaboration for transition planning is a key pillar, but evidence-based research in implementation and effects is limited. Through a single-state survey research design, this study aims to identify the levels and perceptions of collaborative factors among transition professionals, specifically educators, Vocational Rehabilitation professionals, and various community supports providers. Variance in perceptions exist among participant role groups, as well as among …


Apples To Apples: Special Needs Education In The United States And Denmark, Maria Knuckley Robinson Oct 2019

Apples To Apples: Special Needs Education In The United States And Denmark, Maria Knuckley Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This comparative case study is designed to uncover varying approaches to teaching students with special needs based on the perceptions and practices of teachers. A closer look is made into the specific experiences of educators that resulted in Learner-Centered approaches to curriculum and instruction. Data was collected through published documents, questionnaires, and interviews of teachers who instruct students with special needs in the United States and Denmark. In the United States, data from educators in a private specialized education program in Georgia was used to compare data from public education teachers in a Danish Municipality. The study builds on current …


The Person Dimension Of Alternate Assessment Examined Using Achievement Results And Student Characteristics, Nicole Adams Jul 2019

The Person Dimension Of Alternate Assessment Examined Using Achievement Results And Student Characteristics, Nicole Adams

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the Person Dimension of validity by expanding on previous work (Kearns, Kleinert, Kleinert, & Towles-Reeves, 2006, Kopriva, Thurlow, Perie, & Lazarus, 2016; Thurlow, Wu, Quenemon, Towels, 2016; and Towles-Reeves, Kearns, Kleinert, & Kleinert, 2009) using data from the Learning Characteristics Inventory, which includes data on different aspects of students’ disabilities, and comparing those characteristics to level scores on state standardized assessments. There are aspects of students’ disabilities that have the potential to impact the validity of an assessment. The sample under analysis includes students in grades 4-8 (ages 9-13), eligible to take alternate assessment. Students with three …


Training Teachers Of Children With Moderate To Severe Disabilities To Contingently Respond To Child-Initiated Socially-Desirable Behaviors During Centers, Ashley King Holt Jul 2019

Training Teachers Of Children With Moderate To Severe Disabilities To Contingently Respond To Child-Initiated Socially-Desirable Behaviors During Centers, Ashley King Holt

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers of young children with moderate to severe disabilities may have insufficient training in implementing naturalistic instructional practices based in evidence. Behavior Specific Praise (BSP) and Incidental Teaching are well researched, but limited studies exist on the use of teacher contingent responses to children with moderate to severe disabilities’ self-initiated socially-desirable behaviors during centers. I used a multiple baseline design across four special education teachers to measure the effects of a training package incorporating Behavior Skills Training (BST) and Emailed Performance Feedback (EPF) on teachers’ contingent responses to their target children with a few self-initiated socially-desirable behaviors during centers. Results …


Curricular Assessments In South Carolina By Teachers Of Students With Severe Disabilities, Martha Jill Bardin Christmus Jul 2019

Curricular Assessments In South Carolina By Teachers Of Students With Severe Disabilities, Martha Jill Bardin Christmus

Theses and Dissertations

Students with severe disabilities are often taught the same academic curriculum that is not differentiated to meet his or her unique needs in self-contained classrooms with little or no opportunity to participate in the school and other community environments where non-disabled individuals live, work, learn, and play. It is important that their curriculum prepare them to participate in the school and community environment like their same age peers. The assessment of a students’ unique needs and the environment should guide his or her curriculum development and not a curriculum sequence. Students with severe disabilities should be taught the skills necessary …


Supervision Behaviors Of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts With Precertification Candidates, Zahra Hajiaghamohseni Apr 2019

Supervision Behaviors Of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts With Precertification Candidates, Zahra Hajiaghamohseni

Theses and Dissertations

With the rapid increase in the rate of board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), there has been a need to evaluate the state of precertification supervision practices. There is no comprehensive information available on the supervision practices of BCBA/BCBAs used with precertification candidate supervisors. Current recommended supervision practices are derived from the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code (PECC) 5.0 Behavior Analyst as a Supervisor. Leaders in the field have attempted to further define individual behaviors that support compliance with 5.0 Behavior Analyst as a Supervisor (LeBlanc, Heinicke, & Baker, 2012; LeBlanc & Luiselli, 2016; Sellers, Alai-Rosales, & MacDonald, 2016, 2016; …


Effects Of Language For Learning On Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Diana M. Smith Jan 2017

Effects Of Language For Learning On Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Diana M. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Language for Learning (LL) is an oral language curriculum that uses Direct Instruction (DI) methodology. DI is well researched, but only limited studies exists on the use of LL with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study used a multiple baseline research design, across four, four-year-old participants, to measure the effects of LL on the language development of young children with ASD. This study also measured the generalization of learned skills to the narrative language of the participants. Finally, changes in the participants language microstructure were analyzed throughout the study. A researcher-created acquisition probe was used to measure language …


Special Education Teachers’ Working Knowledge Of The Idea, Laura B. Holland Jan 2016

Special Education Teachers’ Working Knowledge Of The Idea, Laura B. Holland

Theses and Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that governs special education policies, procedures and practices for school districts. Special education teachers are viewed as the experts in leading the Individual Education Program (IEP) team in IEP development and implementation. Researchers have shown that special education teachers perceive themselves as having a high level of knowledge and understanding of the IDEA. However, special education teachers’ actual working and practical knowledge of the IDEA has not previously been assessed. This study, using hypothetical scenarios, examined whether special education teachers were able to determine if an action taken by the …


Elementary Special Education Resource Teachers’ Practices And Perceptions Of Curriculum-Based Measurement, Susan Brooks Seymour Jan 2016

Elementary Special Education Resource Teachers’ Practices And Perceptions Of Curriculum-Based Measurement, Susan Brooks Seymour

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined elementary special education resource teachers’ practices and perceptions of curriculum-based measurement (CBM). A significant body of research since the 1970’s has shown that CBM is a reliable and valid predictor of subsequent performance on a variety of outcome measures, and thus useful for a wide range of instructional decisions (Deno, 2003; Busch & Reschley, 2007). Numerous studies have shown that when teachers use CBM, as originally intended, to write databased IEP goals, monitor the effects of their instructional programs, and adjust their interventions according to data-based decision rules, student achievement improves (Fuchs, Fuchs, Hamlett, 1989b; Jenkins, Graff …


Services Received And Parental Perception Of Quality Of Life For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Judith Marie Cholewicki Dec 2015

Services Received And Parental Perception Of Quality Of Life For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Judith Marie Cholewicki

Theses and Dissertations

With the rapid increase in the rate of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there has been a surge in treatment interventions and outcome measures. Treatment interventions consist of evidence-based practices and programs that lack scientific validation. Parents’ selection of a treatment or multiple treatments is often based on the desire to maximize their child’s personal well-being (Pituch et al., 2011; Rodger, Braithwaite, & Keen, 2004). Current outcome measures provide valuable information and may demonstrate a change in a standard score. For example, a change in intelligence quotient, is not evidence that this change contributes to the child’s personal …


Investigating The Decision-Making Of Response To Intervention (Rti) Teams Within The School Setting, Scott M. Thur Dec 2015

Investigating The Decision-Making Of Response To Intervention (Rti) Teams Within The School Setting, Scott M. Thur

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure decision-making influences within RtI teams. The study examined the factors that influence school personnel involved in three areas of RtI: determining which RtI measures and tools teams select and implement (i.e. Measures and Tools), evaluating the data-driven decisions that are made based on the assessment and intervention data (i.e. Data-Driven Decisions), and analyzing the process and procedures of the decision-making itself (i.e. Process and Procedures). Core RtI team members were asked to indicate which factors they found to be the most influential to both their team and personal decision-making processes, whether the …


Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Take Action: Making Goals Happen Curriculum, Kelly Wulf Jan 2015

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Take Action: Making Goals Happen Curriculum, Kelly Wulf

Theses and Dissertations

As the accountability movement emerged with the passage of No Child Left Behind and the amendments of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, there was a growing concern regarding how to best provide transition services for youth with disabilities. As Cobb, Lehmann, Newman-Gonchar, and Alwell (2008) have stated, a research base has emerged concerning the role of self-determination and other moderators that impact postschool outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify if Choicemaker: Take Action: Making Goals Happen curriculum is effective in increasing global self-determination among middle school students with disabilities. Multiple Regression analysis was used with a …


Services Received And Parental Perception Of Quality Of Life For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Judith Marie Cholewicki Jan 2015

Services Received And Parental Perception Of Quality Of Life For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Judith Marie Cholewicki

Theses and Dissertations

With the rapid increase in the rate of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there has been a surge in treatment interventions and outcome measures. Treatment interventions consist of evidence-based practices and programs that lack scientific validation. Parents’ selection of a treatment or multiple treatments is often based on the desire to maximize their child’s personal well-being (Pituch et al., 2011; Rodger, Braithwaite, & Keen, 2004). Current outcome measures provide valuable information and may demonstrate a change in a standard score. For example, a change in intelligence quotient, is not evidence that this change contributes to the child’s personal …


Exploration Of Implicit Bias On Multidisciplinary Team Members When Referring African American Students For Special Education Services, Twana Romona Fletcher Dec 2014

Exploration Of Implicit Bias On Multidisciplinary Team Members When Referring African American Students For Special Education Services, Twana Romona Fletcher

Theses and Dissertations

The disproportionality or overrepresentation of African American students in special education is a longstanding problem that continues to be prevalent today. There are numerous reasons why this phenomenon continues to persist including but not limited to implicit bias among multidisciplinary team members (MDT). One function of the MDT is to decide if a student needs to be referred for special education services. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the decision making processes of the MDT members to determine if implicit bias impacted their decision to refer an African American student for special education services. This qualitative study …


Parent Perceptions Of Audiology And Speech-Language Services And Support For Young Children With Cochlear Implants, Patrick Michael Kelly Jan 2013

Parent Perceptions Of Audiology And Speech-Language Services And Support For Young Children With Cochlear Implants, Patrick Michael Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Parents of children diagnosed with severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss are selecting cochlear implants at an increasing rate and when their children are very young. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are typically involved in habilitation activities following implantation in an effort to increase children's access to listening and spoken language. These clinicians depend upon parents to participate in habilitation activities that may lead to favorable outcomes for children. However, little evidence exists regarding parents' perspectives on the services and supports audiologists and speech-language pathologists provide in this team effort. Parents can offer valuable feedback to clinicians regarding the type and quality of …