Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Exploring The Potential Effects Of Read Naturally Live To Support Reading Fluency Development In Diverse Learners, Jovonne Tabb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to comprehend and apply knowledge learned through reading is fundamental for individuals to become successful and productive citizens in society. The inability to read fluently and accurately with appropriate pacing and expression significantly inhibits text comprehension. Research suggests that children who do not develop reading fluency are more likely to experience learning and comprehension difficulties throughout their academic careers (Lange, 2019). Computer-assisted interventions (CAI) have demonstrated effectiveness in advancing students' reading fluency, particularly for those at risk of developing reading disabilities or those already diagnosed with reading difficulties. However, a significant gap exists in research examining CAI effectiveness …

I Am Mentorship: Hip-Hop As A Mirror For Belonging And Becoming, David J. Berg

Journal of the Arts and Special Education

This paper presents MENTEE-SS (Mentorship, Engagement, Nurturing, Trust, Empowerment, Excellence-Systems of Support for Students and Families), a practitioner-focused reimagination of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) through the lens of hip-hop pedagogy, mentorship, and culturally sustaining practices. While traditional MTSS frameworks often emphasize compliance and deficit-based intervention, MENTEE-SS situates support in student identity, creativity, and voice.

Grounded in relational trust and arts integration, the framework uses the author’s original song I’M HIM as a case study in identity reclamation. Three tiers bring this vision to life: co-designed classroom rituals (Yo DJ, Spin That Class!, Tier 1), lyric-writing groups for recovery (The …

Equipping The Church For Inclusion: Developing Training Strategies To Implement Accessible And Disability-Inclusive Ministry Practices, Allison Weinand

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities are active and present members of society and deserve to be included in faith communities. One in four Americans and nearly one billion individuals worldwide are impacted by a disability (World Health Organization, 2023). Despite this, churches often fail to provide meaningful inclusion, as 90–95% of individuals with disabilities have no access to the gospel through in-person church services (Scheuermann, 2021). While many congregations intend to be welcoming, they frequently lack the training, resources, and adaptable materials necessary to implement inclusive ministry practices. Research highlights persistent barriers, including limited leader preparation, insufficient volunteer guidance, and inaccessible …

Behavior Analytic Food Reinforcement Use And Guidelines In Interventions For Children With Autism, Christopher Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Reinforcers create opportunities to increase behaviors in applied behavioral analysis, with healthy and unhealthy foods offering high reinforcing value. The use of food raises ethical and health concerns, so researchers and behavior analysts often avoid food reinforcement altogether. Kronfli et al. (2024) indicate healthy food alternatives bring about similar rates of responding as snack foods, potentially reducing ethical and health concerns. This research presents the question: To what degree are food reinforcers used in behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder? This review analyzes behavioral research articles containing the words “food,” “edible,” “autism,” and “children” in the context of …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Exploring Special Education And General Education Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Teaching Phonemic Awareness To English Language Learners, Nicholas Kenneth Hebert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study described teachers' experiences teaching phonological awareness to English Language Learners in New York State. The theory guiding the study is Bandura’s work on self-efficacy from his social cognitive theory (SCT). Bandura’s work on self-efficacy provided a framework to answer the central research question: what are the lived experiences of kindergarten through grade 5 special education and general education teachers regarding self-efficacy teaching phonemic awareness to English Language Learners (ELLs)? There were 10 special education and general education teachers who have a master's and have worked with ELLs within the last 5 years. Purposeful, …

Perceptions Of Educators Of Native American Students In Special Education And Why They Were Placed In Special Education, Megan N. Rose

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of educators of Native American students related to the disproportionality of Native American students who are placed in special education in a school in the Southeastern U.S. The theory that guided this study was critical race theory and its relationship to the disproportionality of Native American students being placed in special education. The central research question that guided the study was: What are educators' experiences with the placement of Native American students in special education? The participants included eleven teachers of Native American students who were placed in …

Beyond Barriers: Improving Employment Outcomes For Young Adults On The Autism Spectrum, Kendra L. Cope

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to face persistent barriers to employment, often stemming from challenges in communication, adaptability, and multitasking. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool to strengthen these employment skills through immersive, low-stress practice. This study evaluated a VR-based intervention using Floreo VR modules, guided practice, and performance feedback to enhance job readiness among high school students with ASD. A multiple-probe design across three skill domains: multitasking, handling interruptions and changes, and workplace communication to examine skill acquisition and maintenance with three students with ASD aged 16–18. Data from task-analysis checklists, interobserver agreement …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Adolescents With Emotional Behavioral Disorders In High School, Melissa Lawson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) face significant challenges in forming and maintaining peer relationships, yet their voices and lived experiences remain largely absent from the research literature. This phenomenological study explored how high school students with EBD perceive the impact of peer relationships on their academic, social, and emotional experiences at school. Using Moustakas's (1994) modification of the StevickColaizzi-Keen method, the researcher conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven high school students (ages 15-18) who had received special education services under the EBD eligibility category for 5 to 10 years in a large, urban southwestern school district.

Five universal …

Hearing Their Voices: Exploring Parent Perspectives Regarding Augmentative And Alternative Communication In Home And Community Contexts, Heather Rose Diluzio

Special Education ETDs

Parents of children who have extensive support (ESN) who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) have reported challenges in supporting their children’s communication in home and community contexts. This qualitative interview study explored the perspectives of six mothers of children with ESN who use aided AAC to examine the supports families have, or would like to have, to integrate aided AAC meaningfully into their child’s communication in home and community settings. Findings revealed that these parents were the primary force behind their child’s access to aided AAC due to limited support from formal systems and professionals. Themes included: parents’ deep …

Abcs Of Behavior: Strategies To Effectively Reduce Challenging Behaviors, Sarah Matthews

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

This paper explores the application of the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) to understand and manage challenging behaviors in early childhood education settings. Grounded in developmental theory and informed by professional experience as an early interventionist, the paper emphasizes the importance of identifying behavioral triggers and using individualized, developmentally appropriate strategies. The role of collaboration among teachers, families, and specialists is highlighted as essential for consistent and effective intervention. Key strategies discussed include coaching caregivers, embedding interventions within natural classroom environments, and using positive, non-punitive approaches to time-out. The paper advocates for proactive, respectful behavioral guidance practices …

General Education Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders: The Predictive Value Of Idea Knowledge, Teaching Experience, And Classroom-Management Self-Efficacy, Kellie N. Allen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

General-education teachers often feel unprepared to support students with Emotional and Behavior Disorders (EBD), which can foster negative attitudes toward inclusion. Identifying teacher factors that support successful inclusion in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is needed. This quantitative predictive–correlational study tested whether general-education teachers’ Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) knowledge, classroom-management self-efficacy, and years of experience predict attitudes toward including students with EBD. Using Facebook and LinkedIn, 83 teachers volunteered and completed the General Educators’ Attitudes toward Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Questionnaire, the Efficacy for Classroom Management Scale, and the Knowledge of Special Education Law Survey. Multiple linear regression …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of Teacher Efficacy Among Private Christian School Elementary Teachers Reporting To Principals With Various Degrees, Joanna Swofford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to examine the association between the earned degree (special education, general education, or other program of study) of elementary principals, and the self-efficacy of the teachers who report to them, in private, Christian schools that enroll students requiring special education. This study is important in furthering an understanding of what types of principal training lead to increased levels of teacher efficacy in meeting students’ needs within inclusive school settings. The sample of 62 participants was drawn from a population of approximately 1200 teachers from 138 private Christian schools within 11 southeastern states …

Teacher Support For Special Education Students Struggling With Basic Reading In The Inclusive Setting: A Qualitative Case Study, Dylan O. Cramer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study is to discover how teachers support special education elementary students identified with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the inclusion setting who struggle with basic reading at Champion Heights Elementary School. At this stage in research, the academic impact of inclusion for special education students who struggle with basic reading will generally be defined as determining the academic benefits and weaknesses of elementary students being educated inside the general education classroom. The theory guiding this study is Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. The social cognitive theory relates to this topic because students learn through observed …

Exploring The Influence Of A Faith-Based Ngo On The Causal Agency Of Children With Disabilities Living In Informal Settlements Outside Nairobi: A Case Study, Amy M. Silvas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the influence of a faith-based non-governmental organization’s (NGO’s) special needs supports on the causal agency of children with disabilities living in an urban settlement outside Nairobi, Kenya. The theory guiding this study was Shogren et al.’s causal agency theory as it looks at the fundamentals of self-determination in interaction with the demands and support available within a specific context. The central research question was: How does interaction with a faith-based NGO’s special education supports influence the ability of children with disabilities and living in an urban informal settlement to be active …

Cv: Jennifer Buss (Elementary Education/Special Education), Jennifer Buss

Education Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Developing Accessible Narrative-Based Stem Learning Software For K-6 Braille Display Users, Dylan Ravel, Daniel Tsivkovski, Brandon Foley, Maryam Etezad, Franceli Cibrian, Ariel Han, Rajeev Joshi

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This research develops a free, accessible web application that enables K-6 students who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) to learn STEM concepts using refreshable braille displays. Currently, most online learning tools are not designed for BVI students, creating a significant educational barrier.

The application interfaces with commercial braille displays and uses narrative-based learning to make STEM content approachable and engaging. By presenting material as interactive stories, students can connect with concepts while developing braille reading skills. The curriculum design prioritizes accessibility through the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) standards and screen reader support.

The goal is to provide BVI …

A Comparision Of Teachers' Ratings Of Published Versus Ai-Generated Descriptions Of Evidence Based Practices In Education., Lora T. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The persistent gap between educational research and classroom practice continues to limit teachers’ use of evidence-based practices (EBPs), despite strong empirical support and federal mandates encouraging their implementation. A key barrier to closing this research-to-practice gap is the limited accessibility, usability, and perceived relevance of traditional research dissemination formats. With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of summarizing and restructuring complex information, this study examined whether AI-generated practitioner-oriented descriptions of an EBP would be rated differently from a published practitioner article on the same practice. Using an experimental cross-sectional survey design, 70 in-service teachers were randomly assigned …

Building Bridges: An Appreciative Inquiry Approach To The Development Of Professional Learning To Enhance Teacher–Student Relationships For Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders., Renee Renz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Positive teacher-student relationships are essential to student success yet are often difficult to create and maintain with students identified with Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD). Students with EBD frequently struggle with emotional regulation and disruptive behaviors, making relationships and trust both essential and challenging. This study addressed the need for professional learning that equipped educators with strategies to build and maintain positive relationships with students with EBD in secondary school settings. Guided by a participatory action research design, this study used Appreciative Inquiry as a framework for engaging expert secondary teachers from Kentucky in co-constructing professional learning. Appreciative Inquiry focused on …

First-Hand Perspectives Of Autistic And Neurodiverse Individuals In Social And Extracurricular Settings, Stephen M. Hinkle

Education (PhD) Dissertations

This dissertation explores the firsthand experiences of autistic and neurodiverse individuals in social and extracurricular settings. Grounded in symbolic interactionism and disability studies, this study leveraged qualitative interviews to provide greater insight into the extracurricular lives of autistic persons and the quality of preparation and education provided to said participants to successfully navigate those experiences. Due to the limited number of studies on this topic, and the tendency of programs to focus on general skill development for this population, significant attention was also given to investigating the activity-specific skills needed for various social and extracurricular activities.

Understanding the intricacies in …

Do They Matter? What Role Do 5th-12th Grade Teachers' Attitudes Have In The Academic Success Of Black Girls In Classrooms?, Kamita R. Thigpen

Dissertations

There is a recognized need to focus on the intersectionality of race and gender to determine the specific needs of Black girls in education and for them to gain more academic success. This study set out to determine teachers' attitudes towards Black girls in the post-racial era. A combined quantitative and qualitative methodological approach was used to determine if the attitudes of teachers towards Black girls maintain racial barriers that have been found in education.