Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Structured And Critical Intercultural Programming: Faculty And Staff Collaborate To Put Research Into Action, Emily Spitzman, Michael Waugh

Special Education Faculty Publications

This article describes the origin and curriculum of Identity Dialogues, a program which facilitates conversations about power and privilege among international and domestic students. It was developed as a result of findings from an ethnographic study of an unstructured conversation partner program at the same institution. The study found that power-laden issues were influencing the interactions and confirmed that intercultural competence development has to be actively facilitated (Bennett, 2009). Identity Dialogues sessions start with an examination of participants’ own cultural histories and then they are guided to analyze stereotypes and microaggressions. Finally, participants create action steps for fostering intercultural competence …

Students With Learning Differences From College Star: A Case Study, Haley Nulty

Education Dissertations and Projects

This case study focused on the perceptions from students, family members, and faculty of students utilizing programs funded by the College STAR grant. The College STAR grant provides funds to welcome and support students with unique learning needs. As a newer initiative, minimal data exist on college students’ utilization of the resources provided by College STAR. The success of these students was the focus of this research. An analysis of feedback from one of the three participating universities including faculty members, family perspectives, and student qualities was conducted. This qualitative research approach consisted of a six-part design to collect and …

Writing Strength-Based Ieps For Students With Disabilities In Inclusive Classrooms, Brent Elder, Carrie R. Rood, Michelle L. Damiani

College of Education Departmental Research

Throughout this practitioner-oriented paper, we provide a rationale, framework, and supporting materials to promote the development and implementation of personalized, contextualized, and holistic individualized education plans (IEPs) with a strength-based orientation. We believe that adopting strength-based IEP writing practices is vital to reconstructing students with disabilities as capable contributors to their inclusive classrooms. The use of strengths-based approaches is not necessarily new, however supporting individuals’ needs in a strength-based model has been largely overlooked in special education. Despite their growing application, inclusive pedagogical approaches are largely absent in the development of strength-based IEPs for students with disabilities. IEPs remain largely …

The Use Of Response To Intervention With English Learners, Anna Burnley

ECTESOL Review

RTIs assist teachers in adjusting instruction to support ELs in acquiring English and content-area knowledge and learning behaviors. The use of RTIs with ELs can supplement support for ELs as an integrated concept of the sheltered instruction (SI) commonly provided for this student population.

Connecting North And South: Engaging Latin American English Learners, Kenyan Intercultural Communications And American Undergraduate Students Through Reciprocal Service Learning, Laureen Fregeau, Ukaiko A. Bitrus-Ojiambo, Suhana Chikatla, William Cornejo

ECTESOL Review

Reciprocal Service Learning through videoconferencing is an efficient tool for connecting native English speakers of various world Englishes and ELs in other nations for the benefit of all. The authors of this study recognize the reciprocal nature of teaching and learning and the social justice of equalizing power structures through the inclusion of participants and researchers from both North and South as members of a project and research team. Through participant observation and document review the authors examine the experiences of educators and learners in the phenomenon of reciprocal service learning through videoconferencing focused on cultural competence and English language …

The Impact Of Social Skills Instruction With An Emphasis On Mindfulness Among Stduents With Emotional Behavior Disorders: Does Training In Social Skills And Mindfulness Reduce Suspension Rates And Increase Positive Behavior In Students With Ebd?, Tyler James Schmidt

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children labeled with Emotional Behavior Disorder (EBD), as defined by the educational system, have behavioral factors that impact their educational success in school. Research suggests that social skills instruction, mindfulness training, and positive behavior supports promoted behavioral changes. Research indicated that promoting pro-social skills and using teaching consequences result in a reduction of out-of-school suspension rates. Following a literature review, a teaching intervention was constructed and implemented for students identified with EBD in a secondary setting. The interventions included social skills instruction, mindfulness, and positive attention training. The intervention results indicated a reduction in negative behaviors and reduced suspension rates …

Barriers To Initial Implemenation And Sustained Positive Behavior Intervention Systems In High Schools, Kathleen L. Barnhart

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schoolwide Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (SWPBIS) has increasingly become a popular method to working with students at all school levels. While more attention has been given to elementary and middle schools than high schools, the research that has been conducted at the high school level primarily includes studies of the tier one SWPBIS level. This thesis aims to research the barriers to initial implementation and sustainability of SWPBIS at the tier one level in high schools, the factors that predict abandonment of SWPBIS in high schools, and the timeline for high schools to reach fidelity. The barriers are categorized into …

From The Editor, Laureen Fregeau

ECTESOL Review

No abstract provided.

Employing Word Study With Spanish-Speaking Els, Timothy Rodriquez

ECTESOL Review

Phonics Instruction has had a controversial history. How to teach phonics to Spanish-speaking ELs is also controversial. Understanding the differences between Spanish and English and how phonics instruction occurs in each language would be insightful. Also, knowing how the nature of the two languages affects instruction would be beneficial. Furthermore, exploiting similarities between English and Spanish and examining differences will bolster instruction. This paper will discuss the reasons for word study and how it may be utilized to teach spelling and decoding to Spanish-speaking ELLs.

Context-Focused Grammar Teaching: A Comparison Between English Present Perfect And Past Tenses And Affects On Korean English Learning, Seungheui (Ellie) Lee

ECTESOL Review

Despite massive amounts of time Korean English Learners (KLL) study English grammar, they continue to have problems becoming proficient in verb tenses, especially the present perfect. This study examines this problem through a linguistic comparative analysis of Korean and English present perfect and past tenses. Two possible reasons for KLL difficulty with verb tenses could be mode of instruction and L1 interference.

Not “One China,” Not “One Culture”: Multicultural Exploration Of Differences And Similarities Between Mainland China And Taiwan, Philip J. Ward, Michelle Loo

ECTESOL Review

This study focuses on the outwardly similar cultures of Taiwan and mainland China and the subtle differences within them. The study was conducted as part of the requirements of doctoral program in Instructional Design and Development at a public university in the southeastern United States. Using a qualitative case study approach, the study demonstrates that there are cultural similarities between mainland China and Taiwan, however instructors should also be aware of the differences when developing relationships with students and developing course content. A mini-workshop was developed for the study to help teach instructors about the two cultures. However, the mini-workshop …

Providing Access To Content Using Technology To Engage All Learners, Karrissa Ebert, Cynthia Hutchings, Pamela Edwards, Mabel Eliana Lamprea

Instructional Modules for Professional learning Responding to Opportunities and Valuing Educators (IMPROVE)

The purpose of this module is to provide access to research and tools which can be used to differentiate lessons in a classroom for all types of learners. First, the module helps educators understand TPACK as well as why using technology with students is effective. Next, the module delineates the research and tools into 4 categories of learning, which allows educators to learn/ teach using tools specific for different learners. The module concludes by encouraging educators to practice using the tools with a group of learners and a content specific standard.

View professional learning module.

Symmetry Identified In 2-Dimensional Artwork Compositions Using Visuospatial Ability, Theresa Ferg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

At the John Langdon Down Foundation A.C. in the La Escuela Mexicana de Arte Down school in Mexico City D.F., Mexico, art students with Trisomy 21 display the use of a mathematical construct in the painting compositions of their artworks. The mathematical construct is a type of symmetry and it carries a positive affect. This is important because there have been no studies that have investigated the use of the symmetry in the artwork compositions of persons with Down syndrome. The geometric construction of the artwork compositions follows the artistic principle of the Rule of Three and the division of …

Saliva Production And Enjoyment Of Real-Food Flavors In People With And Without Dysphagia And/Or Xerostomia, Angela M. Dietsch, Cathy A. Pelletier, Nancy Pearl Solomon

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Non-food gustatory stimulation has multiple potential therapeutic benefits for people with dysphagia and xerostomia. This study examined palatability and saliva flow associated with dissolvable flavored films. Taste strips with real-food flavors dissolved on the tongues of 21 persons with dysphagia and/or xerostomia and 21 healthy age- and sex-matched adults while sublingual gauze pads absorbed saliva over randomized 3-min trials. Participants rated taste enjoyment for each trial on a hedonic general labeled magnitude scale. Flavored strips elicited more saliva than baseline for both groups, and production was higher for controls than patients (M = 2.386 and 1.091 g, respectively; p …

Paraprofessional Training Need, Models, And Effectiveness, Philip R. Day

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reviews current literature regarding the training of paraprofessionals working in the field of special education. The questions guiding the review centered on whether a need for paraprofessional training exists, what are the current training methods being employed, and what training methods are effective in improving paraprofessional performance. Results of the literature review found that an ongoing need for paraprofessional training exists and that there are a variety of training models currently in use that are bringing about improvements in paraprofessional performance. The author puts forward the Paraprofessional Training Program (PTP) as a model for effectively addressing the training …

The Effects Of Poverty Academically And Behaviorally On Students In Urban Communities, William Kyle Holmes

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the biggest travesties that is present globally across all nations is poverty. Despite being the wealthiest country in the world, “in 2015 there were 43.1 million people in poverty.” (Proctor, Bernadette D. 2015). Additionally, millions more struggle just to survive on a monthly basis with and/or without public assistance. Sadly, this large number of Americans includes school aged children that are suffering from the devastation of the poverty. Children are the future of our nation. Thus, it is critical that all children receive a proper education for them to be a positive member of society across the country. …

The Power Of Play On Academic And Social Learning, Brianna Sorlien

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Play is among the most vital components in elementary student’s prosperity, wellbeing and improvement academically and socially. It is a characteristic and instinctual behaviour which should be encouraged during childhood. Some articles indicate how vital playing is for the prosperity and improvement of elementary students, showing why elementary students should have time, support and places to play. They examine the impact of various sorts of play, specifically, outside play and the significance of giving nearby neighbourhood spaces where children feel safe outside with their peers. Different articles recommend fair treatment for elementary students who have special needs. The full acknowledgment …

Early Career Special Education Teachers Perceived Value Of Being Mentored By General Education Teachers, Kyena E. Cornelius, Karin N. Sandmel

Special Education Department Publications

Special education induction research has examined mentor support and working conditions of early career special education teachers (ECSETs) for over 20 years. Recently researchers provide specialized professional development to mentors based on suggestions of special education induction research. Drawing on quality indicators of single-subject research and the belief that social validity data is valuable, we used qualitative methods to discover ECSETs’ perceptions of the intervention and the helpfulness of the mentors. We then compared responses of the participants with the existing research in special education induction. Findings indicate the participants appreciated the specialized training for their mentors and perceived their …

The Use Of Offensive Language By Middle School Students In The Special Education Classroom: Student And Staff Perspectives, Matthew Francis Hillis Byrnes

Theses and Graduate Projects

Students'use of offensive language often leads to behavioral problems, such as fights, that impede learning in the classroom environment. Through comparing and contrasting the perspectives of students and staff in a program for middle school students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders, this research seeks to understand why students use offensive language. Both students and staffwere interviewed. The students were sixth and eighth graders who spend 60-100% of their time in school in a special education classroom. The staff who were interviewed include special education teachers, an educational assistant, a teacher in the mainstream program, and a school psychologist. All of …

Effect Of X-Word Grammar And Traditional Grammar Instruction On Grammatical Accuracy, Sue Livingston, Andi Toce, Cyndi Casey, Fernando Montoya, Bonny R. Hart, Carmela O'Flaherty

Publications and Research

This study first briefly describes an instructional approach to teaching grammar known as X-Word Grammar and then compares its effectiveness in assisting students in achieving grammatical accuracy with traditionally taught grammar. Two groups of L2 pre-college students were taught using curricula and practice procedures in two different grammar texts over a three-month period of time for 20% of their class time. Essays written at three different times were analyzed for the correct and incorrect use of sentence patterns and verb constructs. Results demonstrated that improvement (writing with less error) was larger in both categories for the X-Word Grammar group and …