Psychology Commons^™

Assessing Perceptions Of Group Work Using Team-Based Learning, Lauren Ferry, Phillip J. Wong, Kathryn Hogan

James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)

Group work is frequently incorporated into courses; however, student perceptions of their experiences and the benefits of group work might differ based on the structure of course. In this study, we examined student perceptions of group work in a team-based learning (TBL) course. Undergraduate students completed pre- and post-surveys on their team work experiences over a semester. Students had lower agreement with the statement “working in groups usually ends up with one person doing all of the work” and higher agreement with “working in a group makes me feel as though I am part of a learning community” at post-test. …

Siblings Of Children With Intellectual Disability: Social Validity Of A Skills Group Experience, Michelle Bryant

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

A review of literature has shown that siblings of students with intellectual disability benefit from various types of interventions and value supports (Prusty, 2016). Few studies investigate intervention acceptability and effectiveness of such interventions in the educational environment despite the major role that school plays in children’s lives. Professionals such as exceptional education teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers often serve these populations of students and their families, are involved in behavioral support teams, and play a key role in intervention development and implementation. In the present study, the Behavior Intervention Rating Scale (BIRS; Elliot & Treuting, …

Trauma Responsive Elementary Schools In Virginia, Aleksa Putnam

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

School systems and personnel are beginning to recognize the immense impact that trauma has on their student populations and take initiative to address these factors within the school building using trauma responsive practices. School personnel are likely to encounter the effects of trauma on a regular basis in the management of behavioral concerns, which have a dose-response relationship to traumatic experiences. School principals are leaders in the school building and have a large influence on school-wide practices, thus are in the unique position to alter policy and practice. The current study examined Virginia elementary school principals’ level of trauma training, …

Supporting Families Of Children With Autism Through School-Based Practices, Katelin J. Curd

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Research in the field of autism has shown that families of children with ASD are affected in many ways. Recent studies have begun to explore various interventions for siblings of children with developmental disabilities. A systematic review of studies on school-based interventions for families and siblings of children with autism was conducted to evaluate the current state of the literature and inform recommendations for research and practice. Three articles were selected and reviewed according to their experimental design, participant characteristics, intervention or support protocol, and outcomes measured. Using the current search criteria, no studies were found to address school-based services …

School Experiences Of Immigrant And Refugee Students From Kurdistan: Implications For School-Based Professionals, Jessica Williams-Chase

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The present study investigates the educational experiences of immigrants from Kurdistan, including any successes, difficulties, and adjustments to school in the United States. Information was collected from two informants, who reflected on their time in American schools. The study provides teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and other school personnel food for thought when working with specific populations of students.

The goal of this study is not to provide a comprehensive look at experiences of Kurdish youth and young adults. Instead, this study shares the unique stories of participants and highlights a few common experiences that indicate potential barriers to equitable educational …

School Racial Climate And Discipline Practices: A Systematic Review, Sarah Lanyi

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The disproportionate use of exclusionary discipline with African American students in American schools is systemic and well documented in the literature. School climate has been found to be related to suspension rates and as the literature has begun to demonstrate the differences in how African American students experience their school’s climate when compared to White students, an area of intervention has revealed itself. As school psychologists begin work improving school climates with the intentional goal of reducing the racial discipline gap, they may find success by improving school climate, and more specifically, the school’s racial climate. The current systematic review …

School Psychologist's Perceptions Of System Readiness, Implementation, Effectiveness, And Impact On Role As Schools Transition Conflict Management Programs, Carleigh Fuhrman

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This paper discusses educational systems change, specifically in regard to conflict management programs and discipline policies. Many students exhibit negative behaviors throughout their K-12 education and school psychologists are frequently involved in mediating those behaviors. Many schools have implemented programs such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices in schools in hopes of preventing and reducing student’s negative behaviors. Both PBIS and Restorative Practices are intervention programs that teach decision-making and problem-solving skills (Ingraham et al., 2016), and shift the focus from reacting to negative behaviors with punitive consequences to focusing on strengthening desired, positive behaviors (Sprague, …

The Effects Of Positive Student-Teacher Relationships On Students' Perceptions Of School Safety, Victoria H. Bunting

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Previous research has resulted in positive information regarding the student-teacher relationship and perceptions of student safety, from the perspective of adults. A number of studies have investigated relationship building and student safety, teacher characteristics, school connectedness, and perceptions of safety. However, previous studies have not included the stories and perceptions from students themselves. This study aims to use interviews conducted with middle school students to inform the perspective of middle school students on their student-teacher relationships and perceptions of school safety. Each participant was asked questions related to their feelings of safety at school, current relationships with teachers, their ideal …

An Exploration Of High School Principals’ And Assistant Principals’ Perceptions Of Implementing Mental Health Curriculums In Schools, Jacqueline M. Billy

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Mental health literacy is one’s knowledge of mental health conditions and their accompanying symptoms as well as their understanding of available treatments and mental health services. Virginia Bill SB953, signed into law in 2018, made mental health a mandated topic in health education for all ninth and tenth grade students. There are several Health Education Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools which are specifically aimed at increasing students’ mental health literacy. Many of the standards can be met through implementation of evidence-based curriculums focusing on mental health, known as mental health curriculums (MHC). MHC are designed to increase mental …

The Impact Of Anxiety On College Students' Academic Lives, Alex Connolly

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Anxiety appears to be a problem facing many college students. The literature on anxiety in college students is expansive, but there is very little research on how students are able to balance their anxiety with academics. The researches in this study conducted semi-structured interviews with five students, four males and one female, at James Madison University on how their anxiety impacts their academics and what they do to succeed. The students came from a limited sample size but were varied in their mental health diagnoses. The results of the study showed many different techniques that students used to combat anxiety. …

Navigating "Technoference" In The Family System, Kathlynn Sergent

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This integrative literature review explores the increase of technology use in families, with a focus on how technology is disrupting in-person social interactions within the family system. Many studies have been conducted on how technology impacts a couple’s romantic relationship, and only a few have examined the relationship between the parent and child. This review is one of the first to examine how technology may affect the entire family unit from before children to raising adolescents. Each section of the family unit is examined, beginning with before children, followed by the early bonding and attachment associated with infant/childhood, and then …