Perceived Helicopter Parenting And Self-Determination Theory In Emerging Adulthood, Emily Hivick

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Self-determination theory encompasses three different elements, competence, autonomy and social belongingness (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Helicopter parenting is defined as extreme involvement in a child’s life to the point of making decisions for them while also being associated with high levels of parental support and high feelings of parental-child closeness (Padilla-Walker & Nelson, 2012). Research has shown that helicopter parenting has been associated with psychological and behavioral problems in young adults, (Odenweller, Booth-Butterfield, & Weber, 2014). The current study investigated the association between perceived helicopter parenting and self-determination theory components along with intrinsic motivation and academic and extracurricular engagement in …

Font Fails To Improve Reading On Assessment Tasks, Steven L. Powell M.A., Denton S. Warburton M.A., Ashton D. Trice Ed.D

Showcase of Graduate Student Scholarship and Creative Activities

Dyslexie is a font type that was created specifically to address the challenges that individuals with Dyslexia face. This font-type consists of distinctive characteristics in each letter that are suggested to be more easily distinguishable from one another, such as a bolded bottom portion of each letter, additional inter-letter spacing, a greater x-height, and capitalized letters that are slightly italicized and bolded. Although the author claims that it improves the reading performance of individuals with Dyslexia, the literature on its effectiveness is conflicting. The current study investigates the effectiveness of Dyslexie compared to two commonly used fonts on readers’ comprehension …

High School Teachers’ Roles And Needs In Addressing Students Experiencing Trauma, Katherine Flemister

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Childhood trauma is a hidden epidemic that can have profound impacts on children including significant educational impact. Teachers are responsible for the academic success of all of their students, so it is critical for teachers to be prepared to help a student who has been exposed to trauma to reintegrate back into the classroom. Almost all of the limited research available regarding a teacher’s role in helping students experiencing trauma has been conducted within the elementary schools, so the current study aimed to further the literature by exploring the role of high school teachers in helping students who have experienced …

Inter-Professional Collaboration Between Local Departments Of Social Services And Schools For Children In Foster Care: Current Practices And Needs, Stephanie Mcgrew

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Children in foster care are an important group of students who have many needs. Due to the numerous risk factors that they face, it is of the utmost importance that we maximize the amount of protective factors in their lives, one of these being inter-professional communication. Without collaboration, school and social services professionals may not be aware of a child’s educational strengths and needs, making it likely that no one is advocating for them (Zetlin, Weinberg, & Kimm, 2004). A survey regarding inter-professional collaboration between Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) and school systems was emailed to a convenience sample …

School Psychologists’ Current Practice, Training, And Interest In The Integration Of Substance Abuse Training As Part Of The Mental Health Profession, Margaret Dassira

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Adolescents’ suffering from substance abuse may also be experiencing academic, social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Substance abuse problems are difficult to address in schools due to barriers related to confidentiality, implementation, and resources. School personnel may also lack necessary experience or training to adequately provide these services to students’ suffering from substance abuse. School-based intervention programs have shown to be effective in helping to identify and support students with substance abuse issues (Mitchell et al., 2012; Winters et al., 2012). With both evidence-based intervention practices and competent mental health professionals, students experiencing substance abuse problems may receive needed services and …

School-Based Mindfulness Intervention For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Richard Krogmann

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have large impacts on the emotional (Samson et al., 2014; Strang et al., 2012) and behavioral (Mayes et al, 2012; Hill et al, 2014; Jahromi, Meek, & Ober-Reynolds, 2012) functioning of children and adolescents diagnosed with the disorder. The difficulties with emotional and behavioral functioning in students with ASD can drastically decrease their academic achievement compared to neuro-typical peers (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010). Introducing students with ASD to mindfulness may help decrease the frequency of a challenging behavior in the classroom, increase mindfulness, and increase mood and positivity. How mindfulness interventions have …

An Initial Development Of A Hardiness Scale For Elementary School Students, Stephen Ferrara

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

There are limited studies that have investigated levels of hardiness in children. There is even less information on finding hardiness scales that have been normed on children in elementary school. The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Hardiness Scale for Children (HSC), which assesses the three subscales of hardiness: Challenge, Control, and Commitment. 121 elementary school students (2^nd-5^th grade) were selected to complete the HSC. Their parents were also asked to complete a three-item scale to measure their child’s hardiness. The results indicated that older children tended to give themselves …

Simultaneous Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (Pcit) And Teacher-Child Interaction Training (Tcit) Interventions Using Distance Coaching: A Pilot Study, Kirstin Drucker

Dissertations, 2014-2019

When providing intervention to children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, it is important to consider how to best address the child’s behaviors across a number of contexts. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT) have been shown effective at reducing a child’s behavioral difficulties by improving the relationship between the child and their caregiver (parent or teacher). This feasibility study adds to the research on interventions for young children with emotional and behavioral difficulties by addressing parent and teacher interaction techniques simultaneously. Using HIPAA-compliant software, a coach provided instruction to a parent and a teacher, to implement a …

Attachment In Middle Childhood Among Foster And Adopted Children: Preliminary Validation Of A Behavioral Observation System, Somer George

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Abstract

The study of attachment in middle childhood, especially among foster and adoptive children, is a critical and timely one. An assessment that helps us understand the behavioral manifestations of attachment for these children, while considering the link with caregiving behavior and parental reflective functioning (PRF) can help to provide effective and efficient intervention leading to security and relational healing. This study examines the attachment patterns of 39 foster and adopted children (ages six to twelve) in the Modified Strange Situation Procedure (MSSP), with their caregivers. Association with caregiving patterns, PRF, and caregiver reported child behavior are analyzed using Pearson’s …

Student Teachers Perceptions And Knowledge Of School Psychology, Ryan Harting

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

In the years following the passage of Public Law 94-142, school psychologists’ main role was to facilitate the placement of children into different educational programs (Fagan & Wise, 2000). The role of the school psychologist has shifted since that time, and today school psychology training programs produce practitioners who are equipped to handle much more. A continuation in the departure from the assessment and eligibility determination role of the school psychologist allows for a more proactive approach to problematic childhood and adolescent behaviors. A barrier that stands in the way of this role transformation are teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, and reactions …

Current Practices And Opinions Of School Psychologists: Early Childhood Psychological Assessment, Sarah Stout

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The present study investigated the current practices and perceptions in the field of early childhood assessment. There appears to be a disconnect between what is required by law, what is recommended as best practice, and what school psychologists are doing in the field. The results of the present study revealed the most influential tool in determining special education eligibility was the child’s score on a standardized assessment. Participants also reported conventional assessments as the most frequently used technique. However, when asked their opinions on how valid assessments tools are in reflecting a child’s true ability, less than half reported they …

Traumatic Brain Injury And The Transition To College, Kaylor Duncan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Eight college students who experienced a traumatic brain injury were interviewed regarding their college transition experience. Students identified either parents, teachers, or school counselors as beneficial with helping them transition to college. The interest of the study was to obtain information to help school psychologists help students who have experienced a traumatic brain injury transition to college. Participants acknowledged that college level course work required them to be significantly more independent and the content of the material was more demanding than high school. Concerning neurological symptoms, it was indicated that participants experienced difficulty sustaining attention, utilizing their short-term memory, and …

Educators' Perceptions Of The Process And Implementation Of A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss): A Case Study, Lyndsay Greene

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study serves as an investigation of the current perceptions held by educators within the North Carolina Public School System regarding Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This paper explores the theories that guide MTSS and what factors differentiate it from other popular educational initiatives that have preceded MTSS. Additionally, this paper discusses the importance of educator buy in when implementing a new educational initiative (such as MTSS), psychological theories that guide systems change, North Carolina’s statewide MTSS initiative, and current practices at Shiloh Elementary in Union County, North Carolina. The current study is proposed as a means of gaining insight …