Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Students' With Learning Disabilities Perception Of Mnemonic Strategies In Mathematics Instruction, Susan C. Moore

Theses & Honors Papers

This was a qualitative as well as quantitative study conducted at a middle school in a rural county in Virginia. The researcher examined learning disabled students for their perceptions of mnemonic strategies in mathematics instruction. After direct instruction and instruction involving mnemonics, the seven subjects were tested. The test scores were examined to determine if there was a significant difference between pre and post scores. After interviewing the subjects, the results indicated five themes: unfamiliarity of procedure leads to anxiety, mnemonics improves performance, students desire more mnemonic strategies, division and other multi-step problems are the most difficult, and an increase …

Challenges To Social Interactions As Perceived By Young High Ability Adults With Learning Disabilities: A Qualitative Research Design, Dana Hathcock

Special Education ETDs

This qualitative study was designed to analyze the perceptions of adults with learning disabilities concerning social competence issues. The questions in the research were posed to participants to elicit examples of the challenges experienced as a child and as an adult; examples of the coping skills utilized; examples of circumstances which helped to alleviate the challenges; perceptions regarding the educational system and people/situations in general as factors in performance; and successful outcomes as well as possible reasons for those outcomes. Five female and five male individuals ranging in age from 25-40, having been identified with learning disabilities, participated in this …

Overview Of Brain Research And Its Effect On Sub-Categories Of Special Education, Jamie Canterbury

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

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Attention Effects On Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions With Contralateral Speech Stimuli, Genaya Kae Timpe

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of attending to a speech stimulus on the amplitude of the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). The distortion product otoacoustic emission is a measurement of the activity of the inner ear, specifically the outer hair cells in the ear. The activity of the outer hair cells depends upon the auditory nervous system; when it is stimulated, the outer hair cell activity is modified. Normal outer hair cells will create a large DPOAE amplitude. When a stimulus is presented to the opposite ear, the auditory nervous system acts upon the …

Effect Of Participation In A Daily Reading Log On The Reading Attitude And Achievement In Low To High Achievers, Jody M. Strauss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a daily reading log on the attitude and comprehension of sixth grade low to high achieving students. The study consisted of forty-eight students divided among two classes. Half of the students used the daily reading log and were compared with the other half who did not use daily reading logs for a sixteen week period. The spring 1997 standardized testing placed students in the low to high ranges in reading.

The students were tested in September and again in March after participating in the daily reading log program. Students' …

The Comparison Of Selection-Based And Topography-Based Verbal Behavior Across Populations, Carl T. Sundberg

Dissertations

Michael (1985) distinguished between selection-based (SB) and topography-based (TB) verbal behavior. Several studies comparing the ease of learning the two systems have shown conflicting results. The data indicate that subjects with fewer lower verbal skills have done better with TB systems (subjects with developmental disabilities in studies by Hodges & Schwethelm, 1984; Sundberg & Sundberg, 1990; Weirmanski, 1984; Wraikat, 1991; Wraikat, Sundberg, & Michael, 1991; and the bottom half of subjects in Cresson, 1994). The higher functioning subjects have done better (or have not shown a difference) with SB systems. (Bristow & Fristoe, 1984; Stratton , 1992; Tan, Bredin, Poison, …

Educators' Knowledge And Attitude Regarding Nj's Core Curriculum Content Standards, Amy H. Crossley

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the knowledge of teachers regarding NJ's Core Curriculum Content Standards and their attitudes towards those standards. A survey was distributed and collected from 35 participants. Items on the survey were factored into three categories. These categories described how well-informed educators were regarding NJ's CCCS, their feelings towards the standards and how well-prepared they as educators felt they were. Results reveal that educators have "some" knowledge regarding NJ's CCCS, however, that knowledge-base must be broadened. Results also showed that the majority of educators have either a "positive" attitude or an "indifferent" attitude towards implementing NJ's CCCS and that …

Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome And The Adult Graduate Student, Patricia Haas Berry

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to establish the prevalence of SS/Irlen Syndrome in adult graduate students. SS/Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual dysfunction that causes 14 to 16 percent of the general population physical discomfort such as headache, eye strain and blurry vision and academic difficulties such as poor background accommodations and print resolution resulting in inefficient reading (Irlen, 1997).

The 16 subjects were adult graduate students in a university program. Data collection was achieved through the utilization of questionnaires. The first questionnaire, the Irlen Observation Form, surveyed the subjects for characteristics of SS/Irlen Syndrome. The second questionnaire, Parts A …

The Effects Of Self-Monitoring, An Action List, And Graphing On On-Task Behavior, Paula Chamberlin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if self-monitoring, graphing of on-task behavior time, and the use of a predetermined written action list with self-evaluation of adherence to that action list would increase on-task behavior time during independent study time. The hypothesis was that students in the supplemental instruction program would decrease their incidences of off-task behavior by bringing a predetermined written action list with them to class, self-evaluating adherence to their action list, self-monitoring and graphing their on-task behavior time.

The fifteen students who participated in this study are students who attend Delsea Regional High School, located in …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Educational Resources On The World Wide Web, Nicole A. Fedeli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide educators with a sampling of the educational resources that are available on the world wide web. It was also designed to determine the different categories of web sites available. The study was conducted by using the Yahoo! search engine. A search was entered for areas such as Social Studies and Special Education. The resulting web sites were then navigated to determine their relevancy to the study. Relevant web sites were placed into the following categories: Information sites and Lesson Plan sites. The sub-categories of Information sites are: For the Classroom, Special Education, …

A Comparison Of Perceived Satisfaction With Quality Of Life For Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury And Mental Retardation, Todd Jarger

Theses and Dissertations

An exploratory study was conducted to examine the possible differences in satisfaction with specific quality of life indicators developed by Schalock (1996) between persons with mental retardation and those with acquired traumatic brain injuries. A survey comprised of a Likert-type scale was utilized to interview 41 adults with mental retardation and 27 adults with traumatic brain injury to obtain their perceived satisfaction with their quality of life. The analysis of the data suggests that a significant difference exists between the two groups. The sample of persons with brain injuries expressed lower levels of satisfaction on 10 of the 11 items …

The Will And Skill Of Preservice Teachers To Collaborate And Accommodate In Inclusive Settings, Valerie M. Colonna

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of 36 elementary, 25 secondary, and 20 special education preservice teachers regarding their willingness and ability to collaborate with other educators and accommodate special needs students in inclusive classrooms. Survey results indicated that special education subjects led their elementary and secondary counterparts on both willingness and ability subscales to collaborate and accommodate special students in the regular classroom. All three groups rated their willingness higher than their ability, but for the elementary and secondary groups, this difference was notably greater. However, results revealed significant differences between the preservice groups on a number of collaboration and …

The Effects Of Cooperative Learning On Social Interactions And Attitudes Toward English Class In At-Risk Students, Catherine A. Mikionis

Theses and Dissertations

This research study examined the effects of cooperative learning methods on social interactions and attitudes toward English class in 18 at-risk high school students enrolled in a small alternative education program located on a college campus. The findings suggested cooperative learning methods increased students' positive social interactions, increased students' reported number of friends, and decreased students' cut classes. Although no significant difference in overall mean was found on the attitude toward English class survey, students' dislike for participating in class discussions decreased measurably. The implications for this study are such that cooperative learning methods can be effectively used with at-risk …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Adolescents And The Use Of Ritalin, Joanne Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see if a combined stimulant intervention/behavior improvement system facilitated greater gains on achievement tests and on a behavior improvement level system than a behavior improvement system alone with ADHD adolescents. The sample used consisted of 10 subjects classified with ADHD. Subjects were matched for IQ, age, educational classification and placement, socioeconomic status, and family type. Five subjects received stimulants and five received no medication, but all subjects were involved with the behavior improvement system at school. Pretest results were gathered using the KTEA (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, brief form) and the student's …

Special Educators And Job Satisfaction, Joyce A. Devito

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how specific variables affected job satisfaction among special educators at a special education school district. The variables examined were gender, student population, number of years teaching, number of years teaching a specific population, and age of students. It was hypothesized that female teachers and teachers who worked with emotionally disturbed students would express less job satisfaction than male teachers and teachers working with other special education populations. It was further hypothesized that the greater the number of years teaching and working with a specific population, the greater the expressed job satisfaction. In addition, it was thought that …

An Ecobehavioral Study Of Elementary Students With Disabilities In An Inclusive Classroom, Neal Reid Lieberman

Special Education ETDs

This study is part of a wider study funded by the New Mexico State Department of Education (NMSDE) entitled the Pilot Study of Service Delivery Models in Special Education in New Mexico (Keefe, Ware, & Blalock, 1997). The purpose of this study is to compare inclusive and non-inclusive models of education with regard to student outcomes. The literature review will show how this project adds to the research base on outcomes. This portion of research was chosen because it was able to describe the relationship between ecological variables and student outcomes in a school committed to providing and supporting students …

Implications Of Changing To 4 By 4 Semester Block Scheduling For Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities, Sandra Kay Wayne

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of changing from a traditional schedule to a block schedule on selected school-related behaviors and measures of secondary students with learning disabilities and their regular education teachers. Areas of impact that were addressed included school performance measures of student success rates, attendance rates, and discipline referrals as well as affective measures of levels of students' active engagement in learning activities, the variety of teaching and learning modes used, and the amount of individualized teacher attention given to students.

The research population consisted of six high schools in south and central …

A Model Inclusion Program For Primary Level Students, Greg S. Brown

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a model inclusion program for primary level students. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research related to integration of special education students into a "regular" classroom was conducted. Additionally, information from selected schools and districts related to primary inclusion programs was obtained and analyzed.

A Transition Plan For High School Special Education Students, Michael J. Torres

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a transition plan that would facilitate the movement into the post-school setting for high school students with disabilities. Research on the factors that contribute to successful transition plans was examined. A four year transition plan for students with special needs was created that would detail specific requirements for each of the grades 9-12. These requirements would encompass vocational education/training and instruction, community experiences, life skills, functional vocational evaluation and assessment, interagency collaboration, parent involvement, and post-school education. The attainment of these requirements would be demonstrated by a cumulative portfolio.

Miscommunication Between Aboriginal Students And Their Non- Aboriginal Teachers In A Bilingual School, Anne Lowell, Brian Devlin

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

A crucial question in cross-cultural education is how to bridge the cultural and linguis- tic differences between home and school so that a child’s identity can be supported without limiting his or her chances of academic success (Eades, 1991). Various models of bilingual education have been implemented in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory of Australia but the implementation of such programmes is often far from ideal. In the school where this ethnographic study was conducted, miscom- munication between Aboriginal students and their non-Aboriginal teachers was found to be commonplace. Even by late primary school, children often did not comprehend …

Graduate Bulletin, 1998-2000 (1998), Moorhead State University

Graduate Bulletins (Catalogs)

No abstract provided.

A Note To The Frozen Chosen, Thomas Knestrict Ed. D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A poem written by Tom Knestrict (Turtlesongs 1997).

The Wisdom Of Youth, Thomas Knestrict Ed. D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A poem written by Tom Knestrict (Turtlesongs 1994).

Empowering Environments, John R. Wilson

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The special education system has come to a plateau. Although there have been significant advances in the quality of services delivered by special education teachers, this process can go forward only so far. It is now restricted from further significant advance by the bureaucratic and hierarchical form of education administration in this country. Until this structure is radically changed, special education teachers will not have the experiential knowledge to implement (on a wide scale) the individuality, empowerment, teamwork and overall spirit of the Individual Education Program process as outlined and intended in PL 94-142.

The IEP process has moved through …

Book Reviews: Resources For Creating Inclusive Communities, Ann E. Jantzen Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Whether you are looking for an article for a study group meeting, working with a committee on a staff development plan, or preparing you school-wide plan for next school year, the topic of inclusion is surely on your list of critical issues. In working on a State Superintendent's grant for preparing principals for inclusive practice, I recently had the opportunity to become familiar with several excellent resources for all of us involved in transforming school settings into truly inclusive communities. If you don't already have the following titles on your close-at-hand bookshelf I would urge you to get an order …

If Teacher Assessment Is The Answer, What Is The Question?, Michael W. Apple

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Throughout the United States, it is almost impossible not to hear the din of criticism of our educational system. It is supposedly a failure. It does not prepare our children for the rigors of international competition. It is too responsive to "minority" interests and not responsive to "our" common culture. It is inefficient and wasteful. And it has been captured by " producer" (teacher) not "consumer" (parents and the business community) interests.

A number of quite contradictory proposals to "fix" the schools are currently enjoying their place in the limelight. The first is organized around a vision of the weak …

Exemplary Inclusion Lessons, Ronald G. Helms Ph.D., Colleen A. Finegan Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The Great Ocean Rescue is an outstanding computer application for students of many ages and abilities. The authors have used The Great Ocean Rescue for several years with students from grades 2 through college. The Great Ocean Rescue is an outstanding software application for teaching about a variety of environmental and social issues.

In addition to the software options, the kit offers a teacher's guide and 28 student map resource booklets(seven sets of four), lesson plans, activities, and blackline masters. The CD-ROM version includes one set of students references. All versions contain a library of over 85 short movies and …

Editorial, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

As you can see this JOURNAL is a work in progress. We hope to have our first edition on-line by the end of March. The editorial staff is currently reviewing submissions and choosing what is to be included in the first edition.

New editions of the JOURNAL will be published quarterly, with timely articles and new perspectives concerning inclusive initiatives. It is our intent to provide a forum for articles concerning inclusive education and that many voices will be heard and diverse perspectives concerning inclusive education will be understood.

The JOURNAL defines inclusive education in the same spirit and with …

Who Signed Me Up For This?, John Herner

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

We've all heard the story of the little boy's first day in first grade. When the big hand and the little hand were both pointing straight up, he put on his jacket and began gathering up his things to go home. The teacher explained to Tommy that he was big boy now, and that he didn't go home at lunch like he did when he was in kindergarten; first graders stay at school all day.

"Who signed me up for this?" Tony demanded.

I'm glad someone signed me up to be a part of this first edition the Electronic Journal …

Review: The Teacher's Guide To Behavioral Intervention: Intervention Strategies For Behavior Problems In The Education Environment, Janice Brickley

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The first two sections of this book are extremely brief. Chapter I is a page and one third of introduction. Mrs. Wunderlich gives a brief background of the techniques she used to identify behaviors targeted in this book and some rationale for developing the manual. Chapter II is directions for using the manual, if the Behaviors Disorder Identification Scale has been administered. The bulk of the manual is contained in Chapters III and IV.