Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

The Effects Of Teacher Implementation Of Differential Reinforcement Of Alternative Behavior In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elena J. Hitch

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a classroom teacher implementing trail-based functional analyses (FAs), experimentally evaluate the effects of a classroom teacher implementing differential reinforcement of alternative (DRA) procedures with participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the context of a natural setting, and assess the feasibility of the DRA for the classroom teacher. A multiple baseline with an embedded ABAB design was used for one participant and an ABAB design was used for the second participant to measure the percentage of the participants’ engagement in the alternative behavior and the target behavior. Results showed …

Targeting Food Selectivity In Young Children In A Preschool Classroom Using A Multi-Component Treatment Package, Christina Challed Hesley

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using a video model, graduated exposure (i.e., touch, smell, try, eat), and positive reinforcement to first increase food exploration, and then increase consumption of non-preferred foods in young children that exhibit food selectivity in a school setting. A multiple probe design across behaviors replicated across participants was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment package. The treatment package consisted of a video model of each target behavior (touch, smell, try, eat) and positive reinforcement which included preferred foods and materials. The results indicated that the treatment package was …

Evaluating The Effects Of Tootling When Implemented In Special Education Classrooms Providing Behavior Supports, Jannine E. Ray

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Managing student misbehavior is often a challenge for teachers. Effective classroom behavior management strategies maximize academic instruction time and decrease disruptive behavior. One intervention that has proven to be effective in decreasing disruptive behavior, increasing prosocial behavior, and increasing on-task behavior in the general education classroom is tootling. There are no published studies that have applied tootling in a special education classroom, and this population could greatly benefit from such an intervention. The current study used a multiple baseline design across settings to examine the effectiveness of a tootling intervention in three special education classrooms with students who exhibit behavior …

Utilizing Asynchronous Online Modules To Educate Preservice Teachers To Address Bullying Behaviors For Elementary Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jaime Best

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to social and communication deficits, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are targeted for school bullying more than other populations. With an increased number of individuals with ASD being served in general education classrooms, teachers are at the front line of defense for this vulnerable population. Many teachers and preservice teachers lack experience and self-confidence when dealing with situations related to individuals with ASD in their inclusive classrooms. While research on educating preservice teachers to deal with bullying behaviors is limited, the importance of providing high-quality teacher preparation programs for upcoming teachers remains at the upmost importance. The purpose …

Power Up: A Persuasive Writing Strategy For Secondary Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Philip D. Nordness, Jessica L. Hagaman, Rebecca Herskovitz, Elizabeth Leader-Janssen

Special Education and Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

In the area of written expression, students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) typically perform one to two grades below their same age, non-disabled peers. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on writing interventions to improve these outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a persuasive writing strategy called POWER UP to improve the quality of persuasive essays for secondary students with EBD. The results suggest that a mnemonic strategy based on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development Model (SRSD) can improve the quality of persuasive writing essays for secondary students with EBD.

Putting Educational Reform Into Practice: The Impact Of The No Child Left Behind Act On Students, Teachers, And Schools, Timothy Song

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis seeks to investigate the effects of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) on U.S. student achievement and teacher effectiveness. By combining the results from various data sources, I am able to indicate the levels of student preparedness, school spending, and specific classroom practices. After an analysis of my results, I suggest that NCLB has found moderate success in increasing the level of math preparedness for younger students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. On the other hand, the data also suggests that there have been no statistically significant gains in reading achievement after the implementation of NCLB. Additionally, spending …

The Influence Of The "Emotionally Disturbed" Classroom Label On General Education Teachers' Sense Of Efficacy, Giovanna Perricone

Scripps Senior Theses

Students identified as “emotionally disturbed” face resistance to inclusion in classrooms with typically-developing peers on the part of the general education teachers. This study aims to address whether the classroom label of “emotionally disturbed” affects teacher efficacy and whether this relationship is moderated by the amount of applied inclusion training a teacher has received. General education teachers will read identical case studies of a student who either spends some of his school day in an “Emotionally Disturbed Class” or a “Self-Regulation Skills Class.” They will complete a measure of student-specific teacher efficacy and then report how many hours of inclusion …

Teacher Acceptability Of Curriculum Based Measurement As A Universal Screener In Reading, Brooke Adams

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to extend the existing literature concerning teacher perception of acceptability of universal screening, specifically examining the use of Curriculum Based Measurements (CBM) as a universal screening tool in reading. Eighty-three first through fifth grade teachers from Washington State participated in an online survey utilizing the Acceptability Rating Profile – Revised (APR-R), a 6-point Likert scale measuring practitioner acceptability for a tool. The APR-R was revised to reflect the use of CBM measuring Oral Reading Fluency as a universal screener with response options ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree). In the present …

Computer-Assisted Instruction Compared To Traditional Instruction On Letter Recognition For Preschoolers With Special Needs, Jamie Nicole Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The need to reach learners with disabilities in inclusive early childhood classrooms has grown with increasing legislative mandates. An essential area of focus is in early literacy and alphabet letter recognition. One such way to bridge the gap includes computer assisted instruction as an instructional method. A concurrent treatment single case design was used to compare the rate of letter acquisition in young children with disabilities (n=6) between computer assisted instruction program, Teach Town Basics™, and traditional teaching of concepts in early childhood inclusive classrooms. Participants received each treatment in random order and data were graphed daily on …

Endrew F. Clairvoyance, Mark Weber

College of Law Faculty

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has declared that “Prior decisions of this Court are consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Endrew F.,” the 2017 Supreme Court decision interpreting the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act obligation to furnish students with disabilities free, appropriate public education. This Essay considers whether that statement is accurate, and concludes that while some of the past Second Circuit decisions fit comfortably with Endrew F. ex rel. Joseph F. v. Douglas County School District RE-1, others do not. The Essay submits that the court of appeals should confess a lack of clairvoyance in its earlier …

Evaluation Of A 5-Session Community Based Physical Activity Education Program For Parents Of Children With Disabilities, Samantha L. Maritzen

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Children with disabilities are less likely to reach the daily recommendation (60 minutes) of physical activity a day. Parents of children with a disability play an important role in the amount of physical activity their child participates in but often lack the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate physical activity opportunities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the feedback received from parents that participate in the parental physical activity education program. Participants included 8 parents of a child with a disability from the age of six to 14. The feedback from parents was assessed by a program …

Pre-Service Educators' Understanding And Perceptions Of Asd Before And After Reading Asd Narrative Fiction, Brenda L. Barrio, Jane E. Kelley, Teresa Cardon

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

Pre-service teachers and other educators are expected to understand and teach students from diverse backgrounds and varying abilities. One group that is growing in all classrooms across the U.S. are students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As such, it is essential that teacher preparation programs prepare pre-service teachers and educators to teach students with ASD. The purpose of the research was to examine the effects of pre-service teachers understanding and perceptions about ASD before and after reading young adult literature about characters with ASD. Results of parallel mixed-method research showed an increase of positive attitudes of pre-service teachers and educators' …

Assessment In Special Education Teacher Preparation: An Examination Of Practices, Michelle Simmons, Laurie A. Sharp

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

There have been significant changes in special education and assessment over the past four decades. These changes have affected how university-based educator preparation programs train preservice special educators to address assessment in their professional practices to ensure that they enter classrooms with specialized assessment expertise and practice aligned with the Council for Exceptional Children’s preparation standards. This study identified specific preparation practices that special education teacher educators use with their candidates to develop understandings of assessment. Qualitative data were analyzed using a dual-level systematic coding scheme; findings revealed strengths in teacher training and highlighted opportunities for growth. Implications for special …

Effects Of Teacher Training In Trial-Based Functional Analysis Via Video Modeling, Mary Haspel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) is an efficient strategy for assessing challenging behavior in the classroom and a necessary step in developing effective functional assessment- based interventions (FABI). However, researchers have identified several barriers limiting the applicability of this practice in schools, including difficulty in (a) training teachers to mastery; (b) assessing whether teachers can implement this practice independently, with fidelity, in natural settings; and (c) determining whether teachers can use functional analysis (FA) to identify functions of problem behavior and develop effective interventions. This study will address these gaps in the literature by using a novel approach for training teachers …

The Relationship Between Social Skills And Problem Behaviors In Adolescent Males With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amanda Armstrong Randall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Adolescent males with autism spectrum disorder commonly display an increased prevalence of problem behaviors and persistent deficits in social skills when compared to their typically developing peers. The present study deployed a single subject, multiple-baseline design to investigate the use of the social skills training program Super Skills: A Social Skills Group Program for Children with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism and Related Challengesto promote enhanced social skills and minimize problem behaviors. Two groups of adolescent males with autism (N = 6) participated in weekly social skills training groups also containing typically developing peers (N = 3) once …

The Impact Of Using Selected Art Therapy Approaches On Students Diagnosed On The Autism Spectrum (As) Or With Behavioral Disabilities (Bd) In An Elementary School Art Classroom., Amie Dawn Perriello

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Students with autism and behavior disorders frequently have a difficult time communicating with their teachers and peers. Art can serve as a vehicle for communication while supporting strengths and encouraging self-esteem. Yet few art teachers have the specialized training needed to work with students on the spectrum, and we are often times left to our own intuition and devices on how to deal with these students. These students deserve greater individualized education, yet this can present a unique challenge to any classroom art teacher who does not have the training to deal with students who come from these special populations. …

The Demon Of Hope: Race, Disability And The White Researcher’S Complicity With Injustice, Gene Fellner

Publications and Research

My ethical stance demands that my research mutually benefit all research

participants and that it should serve to reverse systemic policies of anti-blackness that

permeate the educational system in the United States. Through publications and similar

academic activities, however, my research advances my own career, but it is doubtful

that it significantly advances the trajectories of the students with whom I work. Indeed, it

could be argued that this imbalance in benefits advances the very system of white

dominance that I claim to contest. In this arts-based, auto-ethnographic study, I

document how, through the creation of pastel drawings and digital …

Effects Of Practice-Based Coaching Intervention On Preschool Teachers’ Responses To Black Boys’ Negative Emotion Expression, Evandra Catherine

Theses and Dissertations

Current research indicates that caregivers’ responses and behaviors to young children’s emotion expressions communicate messages that teach young children how to understand, label, recognize and modify emotions in socially desirable ways. This process is referred to as emotion socialization. This topic is timely and relevant due to the large numbers of preschoolers suspended and expelled each year. Several reports indicate that 50,000 preschoolers are suspended each year and that Black boys are the largest recipients of such actions. Black boys comprise just 19% of preschool enrollment, but 45% of male suspensions. In addition, data show that preschool teachers expect challenging …

Actor-Network Theory And Animal Therapy: Uncovering The Relational Ecology Of The Exceptional Student Classroom, Kristin A. Blanton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Expanding upon the research on ecology in curriculum studies and companion animals, this mixed methods case study aimed to explore how the incorporation of a nonhuman entity impacted the relational ecology of the exceptional student classroom. Utilizing actor-network theory as a theoretical guideline, the goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how the introduction of a therapy dog as a student affected the relational ecology of the classroom by analyzing the dynamic networks of relationships formed between the students and the therapy dog. Relational ecology acted as a conceptual framework within the field of curriculum studies …

Examining The Relationship Of Administrative Support On Early Career Special Education Teachers’ Retention Decisions, Cassandra B. Willis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between administrative support and retention of early career special education teachers. Research has shown that there is a shortage of special education teachers; however, teachers leaving the field may be driving the shortages. Based on the work of Schein’s (2003) theory of organizational culture, this study identified how different types of support (i.e., emotional, instructional, technical, and environmental) can influence early career special education teachers’ decision to remain in their current position. Participants, including teachers and administrators from a suburban school division in Virginia, completed a modified version of the …