Impact Of Teacher Perceptions In The Disproportionality Of Black People In Special Education, Chenita Jarrett-Evans

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

If you walk into any special education classroom in America, you will see that Black students are overrepresented. The issue of disproportionality of Black students in special education has been a longstanding concern. Although students can be referred to special education through parent request, students are most likely referred by their general education teacher. The referral requirements for students with emotional disabilities or learning disabilities can be subjective to the beliefs of the referral teacher, as the U.S. Department of Education does not outline the definition of “teacher referral”. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore whether teacher …

Feedback And The Effects On Progress Monitoring, Dana Peschon

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this action research paper was to explore the effects of timing of feedback on progress monitoring scores for students in special education. Ten students, grade nine through eleven, completed AIMSweb math application progress monitoring twice per month and received feedback on their results. The control group was provided with delayed feedback during the week in between testing periods while the treatment group received immediate feedback after completing the probe. Feedback consisted of the total number of points earned, what questions were answered correctly, and the researcher working through missed problems with the student. All students were provided …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Effect On Student Behavior, Katie Herther

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and the impact on a student’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioral abilities. In this paper I will explore how brain development, as well as environmental factors, can all address the behavior of a student and the consequences of that behavior. This literary review features studies on ACEs and its relationship to brain development, chronic absenteeism, retention and dropout rates, behavioral problems, and academic achievement. In addition, studies about crime, school intervention, and community intervention help to further explain how ACEs impacts the behaviors of individuals. This paper …

Social Development Through A Lunch Buddy Program, Amy Coon

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The intent of this literature review is to discuss the necessity of a lunch buddy program for students in special education. The review fist looks at the process of inclusive education and the effect that the educational movement has had on students in special education. Inclusion is defined as well as the impact it has on an individual's social development. Using research-based evidence, the review will also establish the importance of peer buddy programs for the social development of students in special education. A lunch buddy program will provide special education teachers with the means to assist their students during …

Effects Of Special Education And Feeling Of Inclusion, Jacob Hergott

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The inclusion of students with special needs in a general education classroom has been a growing topic in education. This paper reviews literature that researched the effects of special education on student's feelings of inclusion in school. The literature used in this paper examines how teachers, peers, and placement effects student's experiences of inclusion. Additionally the literature examined how other countries approach special education along with the barriers special education students face. Previous research found that the peers, teachers, and placement all have a significant impact on a student's experience both negatively and positively. Italy was found to have the …

How Do Augmentative And Alternative Communication (Aac) Systems Impact Students, Melinda Rice

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This paper will focus on communication and why it is so important during literacy routines in the classroom. The research will serve as a gateway into understanding the world of how communication and literacy tie together and what the impact of using Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices could do for a student. The research will focus on emergent literacy routines for students with significant cognitive disabilities and complex communication needs and to what degree the communication systems help the students communicate and com-prehend the questions being asked of them.

Peer Modeling Vs. Teacher Modeling For The Inclusive Preschool Classroom, Joshalyn Loutsch

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of peer modeling versus teacher modeling for students with special needs within the inclusive preschool setting. Data was collected for three different developmental areas for students with special needs: social emotional, language, and cognitive abilities. The data gathered determined that both peer modeling and teacher modeling are effective teaching strategies for students with special needs, but it is unclear whether one strategy is more efficient than the other is. Preschool is the foundation for a child's education and teachers need research-based strategies to implement quality instruction for students with special …

Autism Spectrum Disorder Students: A Survey Of Rural Community College Educators, Pamela Love Hanks

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The number of students diagnosed with autism in public schools is increasing and this special population is now enrolling in colleges and universities. At the K-12 level, numerous supports are provided consistent with federal law; equivalent supports are not required in the postsecondary classroom. Student success often depends on the relationships built in the academic setting. From an instructional perspective, faculty members may have little or no training, limiting their understanding and support of this growing population of students, complicating relationship building. There is a dearth of literature available on the effective training of community college faculty who work with …

Development And Validation Of The Students With Learning Disabilities School Counselor Self- Efficacy Scale: A Psychometric Study, Rawn Alfredo Boulden, Jr.

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

School Counselors play an important role in the success of all students. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Council for The Accreditation of Counseling And Related Educational Programs (CACREP) emphasizing the importance of school counselors in supporting the diverse needs of all students. Despite the efforts of the aforementioned association and accrediting body, the verdict is mixed regarding school counselors’ self-efficacy to counsel and support students with learning disabilities. This quantitative study aimed to develop and validate the Students with Learning Disabilities School Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale, an instrument that assesses school counselors’ belief in their ability to counsel …

Physical Education Teachers' Attitudes Towards Teaching Zumba To Children With Disabilities, Evelina C. Brandon

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of physical education teachers toward teaching Zumba to children with disabilities during physical education classes. Sixty-two physical education (PE) teachers (Mean Age = 42.13, 15 males, 47 females) participated in this cross-sectional survey design study. The survey data was analyzed using Pearson correlation methods, independent t tests, and the Cronbach’s coefficient technique to measure correlation, variance between participants, and the reliability and validity of the survey. Findings indicated that physical education teachers believed that teaching students Zumba in PE class would be beneficial and effective for students with disabilities. This …

Using The Question-Answer Relationship Strategy To Improve Listening Comprehension In Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lisa A. Phalen

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

A well-established research base indicates that many children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience deficits in reading comprehension skills. There is currently limited research which examines the relation between the communication and language impairments in ASD and emergent literacy skills in early childhood. Listening comprehension has been identified as one emergent literacy skill closely linked to reading comprehension development. The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of the question-answer relationship strategy (QAR) and QAR cue cards as a shared book reading intervention package on the listening comprehension skills of children with ASD. A single-subject concurrent multiple-baseline …

Comparison Of Motor-Enhanced And Visual-Enhanced Interventions For Grammar In Young Children With Developmental Language Disorder, Alisha P. Springle

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Up to 7.6% of children demonstrate a developmental language disorder (DLD), which can persist through adulthood, causing difficulty with academic achievement, social relationships, and financial stability. Grammar development, as a hallmark of DLD, is an important area of need for these children. Existing grammar interventions do not clearly distinguish the sensory input techniques that meet these children’s neurobiological instructional needs. This adapted alternating treatment design study implemented intervention using systematic paired visual and verbal and systematic paired motor, i.e. standardized gestures, and verbal sensory input techniques. A moderate-strong functional relation between intervention techniques using motor supports on grammatical outcomes in …

Elementary Teachers' Perceptions Of The Development And Implementation Of A Comprehensive School Safety Plan, Rachina Holman Heron

Dissertations

Abstract The problem addressed within this qualitative study involved exploring the limited research regarding kindergarten through fifth grade teachers’ perceptions of the implementation of the school’s Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP). The purpose of this study was to explore six kindergarten through fifth grade teachers’ perspectives of their school’s safety plan. First, the study described how elementary teachers perceived the professional development or training received in preparation for implementing their school’s safety plan. Second, the study explored six elementary teachers’ perceptions of their ability to implement their school’s safety plan using semi-structured interviews. Finally, areas where elementary teachers perceive they …

Transition Practices For Students With High-Incidence Disabilities In A Rural School, Kristina M. Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities often have difficulty obtaining and maintaining employment after graduation from high school. Employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities are significantly less than their typical peers. One potential cause of lower employment outcomes for people with disabilities is the result of public schools’ failure to implement appropriate individualized transition plans and services. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the effectiveness of evidence-based transition practices as perceived by school educators, parents of students with high-incidence disabilities who receive special education services, and outside agency providers in a rural school in the North Central Texas area. …

A Qualitative Study Investigating Post-Secondary Services For Students With Learning Disabilities At Saudi Universities, Nahed Mohammed Binbakhit

Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the challenges and obstacles confronting students with learning disabilities who receive assistance from support service centers at Saudi Arabia universities. It also addressed the strategies and skills that students used to overcome these challenges and reviewed the recommendations for the further development of support services. The study was conducted in support services centers at two Saudi public universities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). The participants were five female students with learning disabilities and five female staff members at the support services centers.

The study used a semi-structured, faceto- face in-depth interview process to gather information.

Participants addressed …

The Perceptions Of Public High School Administrators Regarding The Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities In The General Education Classroom: A Phenomenological Study By Jennifer A. Thomasian, Jennifer Thomasian

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions of high school administrators in Southern California regarding how they interpret and implement specific federal and state policies concerning the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom and to identify additional factors high school administrators perceive affect implementation. It was also the purpose of this study to describe how high school administrators perceive that their prior experiences with students with disabilities impact their interpretation and implementation of policies concerning inclusion.

Methodology: A sample of participants was selected from the target population of administrators serving at …

Increasing Inclusive Education Through A Learning Center Model: A California Approach, Aja Mckee, Audri Sandoval Gomez

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Learning center models offer students with disabilities learning experiences in general education classrooms, while retaining support and services from special education personnel. The learning center approach examines existing educational perspectives, practices and structures, surrounding access to general education for students with disabilities. This study used a document analysis, a qualitative data method, to examine how two California school districts developed a learning center model to transform special education programming from segregated special education classrooms and practices to placement and access to general education. The findings inform educational programming for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment, to comply with …

Teaching Cybersecurity To Students With Visual Impairments And Blindness, Jesse R. Hairston, Tania Williams, Derrick W. Smith Ed.D., Coms, William T. Sabados Ph.D., Steven Forney

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This work showcases specific adaptations used to make cybersecurity accessible to high school students with visual impairments and blindness (VIB). The rapidly growing field of cybersecurity demands a diverse workforce; however, barriers exist which can deter students with disabilities from studying cybersecurity, let alone pursuing a career in the field. To help overcome this challenge, we launched the first GenCyber camp specifically developed and instructed for high school students with VIB in summer 2019. We created a unique learning environment by combining interactive instructional aids, accessible development environments, and innovative instructional strategies. With intent to show cybersecurity as a viable …

Encapsulating Educational Design For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lauren Praeuner

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This paper is a thesis/creative project hybrid split into two parts. First, it examines different aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the symptoms experienced by those on the spectrum, and the guidelines that parents, medical professionals, and educators should follow to ensure a holistic approach to the care and education of children with autism. The text also notes some of the considerations that designers should review when designing educational facilities for these individuals, as well as few precedents that successfully do so. The second part of the paper presents my team’s architectural studio project, contributed to by UNL students Lindsay …

Orientation And Mobility Service Decisions: What Is Guiding Them If It Is Not Assessment?, Lauralyn Kay Randles

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: In this study, I sought to determine what tools are used during assessment and service delivery decisions. Also, the study worked to explore O&M specialist’s perceptions of factors impacting assessment results and service delivery decisions. Methods: A survey was employed to gather this information from O&M specialists spread throughout Midwest region of the United States. Seventy six O&M specialists completed the survey sharing about their experiences with O&M assessments and service delivery decisions. Analysis was completed using Microsoft Excel and a researcher establish codebook. Results: The participant’s caseloads and employment details varied greatly from one to another. The results …