Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Closing Reading Achievement Gaps For Middle School Students, Michael D. Daugherty

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This research examined how self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and professional development compared between core content and special education middle school teachers working with middle school students in reading comprehension and fluency. Accordingly, no statistically significant difference in teacher self-efficacy between core content and special education teachers was discovered based on the ANOVA analysis results. An analysis of professional development and collective teacher efficacy showed mixed results with a negative relationship predicted between increased professional development hours for core content teachers. A predicted positive relationship existed with the number of professional development hours increasing for special education teachers. There was no statistically …

Calm Sr: Classroom Activities For Learning And Managing Self-Regulation, Corina Arroyo, Angela Labrie Blackwell, Mallorie Garcia

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

CALM SR is a program developed for 3-4-year-olds to increase successful participation in desired occupations due to improved self-regulation skills. This program is designed for implementation in a preschool setting over the course of 9 weeks. This program incorporates activities that target sill acquisition across multiple domains. Activities are supplemented by literature, visual displays, modeling, and facilitation of the self-regulation process.

Promoting Self-Awareness And Self-Advocacy For Students With Disabilities, Caitlin Conroy

Undergraduate Research Competition

Using the ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness & Self-Advocacy (Cantley, Little, & Martin, n.d.) as a guideline, I created "bell ringers" to teach transition age students with disabilities about self-awareness and self-advocacy in rewards to their disability and IEP. I taught these skills to a small group of four students. Every day, these four students met for 10 minutes during the start of the day. The research conducted is self-study research (Hauge, 2021). For all students with disabilities, especially at the transition age, self-awareness and self-advocacy is so important. To be able to continue teaching these lessons after this experience, …

Language Objectives For English Language Learners, Jessica Batt

Undergraduate Research Competition

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of language objectives written by various types of teachers for English language learners. This research study examines language objectives in lesson planning for English Language Learners. Participants are a small group of six graduate students enrolled in an ESOL methods course. Data was collected from written assignments that were already part of this online course: application activities and lesson plans. Language objectives were analyzed and categorized as being focused on reading, writing, speaking, and/or listening. Study results and implications of the study will be presented.

“You Feel A Sense Of Accomplishment”: Outdoor Adventure Experiences Of Youths With Visual Impairments During A One-Week Sports Camp, Lauren J. Lieberman, Katie Ericson, Melanie Perreault, Pamela Beach, Kelsey Williams

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

There are many cognitive, physical, and social–emotional benefits for youths from participating in outdoor adventure activities. However, youths with visual impairments are not given the same opportunities to participate in outdoor adventure activities as their peers without disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the outdoor adventure experiences of youths with visual impairments participating in a week-long sports camp. Thirty-seven youths with visual impairment (ages 9–19 years) attending a one-week sports camp participated in this study. Participants engaged in a variety of outdoor adventure activities throughout the week of camp (e.g., sailing, hiking, rock climbing, biking, kayaking). Participants …

Let's Get Involved, Delaney Daly

Undergraduate Research Competition

This study taught student teacher interns on how to support students and parents to participate in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. While previous research has determined students with disabilities can learn the skills needed to participate in their IEP meetings, researchers suggested that educators need training on how to conduct IEP meetings in which students and parents will be active participants (Chandroo et al., 2018; Sanderson & Goldman, 2021). This study focused on teaching teachers to build relationships with parents and students to create a level of comfortability so that when in an IEP meeting, everyone has a comfortable environment …

Occupational Therapist Perception And Utilization Of Occupation-Based Evaluation And Assessment With Children And Youth With Asd., Zalome Restrepo, Pam Kasyan-Howe, Kristin Domville, Kristina Hartsook

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Children with ASD participate less in ADLs & IADLs than typically developing children(Travers et al.,2022). The problem is a gap between the known occupation-based assessments and utilization of the assessments by occupational therapists treating children and youth with ASD (Manee et al., 2020; Luna, 2019). This gap results in decreased activity participation diversity for the child and decreased ability for the occupational therapists to evidence effectiveness of occupation-based services (Manee et al., 2020; Luna, 2019). The purpose of this quantitative type of capstone project is to analyze occupational therapists who treat children and youth with ASD to determine the utilization …

The Russo-Ukrainian War: Understanding The German Media Coverage Of Ukrainian Refugees, Bailey Runhaar, Caitlin Keith, Maralenae Leake, Claudia Schwabe

Student Research Symposium

The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014. In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating the ongoing war. The Western media began reporting about the attack as soon as information became available. News reports, articles, and social media were flooded by information related to the conflict, including the stories of refugees from this war as they left Ukraine to other countries around Europe. Throughout this war, German media coverage has been generally pro-Ukraine, showing the country and its refugees sympathy and support, says the Diplomatic Courier. While the war between Russia and Ukraine is still raging, the Western …

Parents’ Expectations Of Developmentally Delayed Children With Special Education Needs (Sen) When Transitioning Out Of Non-Classroom Based Independent Studies Charter High Schools, Yolanda Vazquez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe the expectations of parents of developmentally delayed special education needs (SEN) high school children regarding their children’s transition out of independent studies charter high schools. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to identify how parents perceived independent studies charter high school schools addressed the needs of their SEN children during the transition process.

Methodology: This study used qualitative methodology to gain insight into the lived experiences and perceptions of parents with SEN high school students in a NCB ISP high school transition program. Data was …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Teacher Preparation For Teaching Students With Low-Incidence Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study, Shannon Lynn Feerrar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the participants' perceived effectiveness of their teacher preparation program and their experience of teaching students who are identified with a low-incidence disability. The theory guiding this study was the experiential learning theory. Kolb's experiential learning theory is based on the belief that meaningful experiences and reflection promote enhanced learning. The research questions for this study focused on teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of their special education teacher-preparation programs. Eleven participants who have completed a special education teacher preparation program and currently teach students who are identified with a low-incidence disability …

Special Education Teacher Burnout: A Phenomenological Study Of The Challenges That Influence Motivation, Sarah Margaret Vaughan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the challenges that lead to special education teacher burnout and how these challenges influence the motivation of special education teachers in North Georgia. In this study, factors that lead to special education burnout were generally defined as potential challenges, such as quality teacher preparation, inadequate professional development, and lack of administrative support, and how these challenges impact motivation and extrinsic influences of special education teachers. The theory that guided this study was Deci and Ryan's (1985) self-determination theory, which allowed for a deeper understanding of motivation and how intrinsic and extrinsic …

Differences In Job Satisfaction Between Special Educators When Controlling For Sense Of Community, Jennifer Casi Cooke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Attrition among educators is a continuing concern in the area of special education. Job satisfaction has been associated with teacher burnout and teacher attrition. Many times, multiple educators work in a close environment creating a need for community in special education. The purpose of this study is to identify differences in job satisfaction among special educator roles, including collaborative general education teachers and inclusive special education teachers, as well as self-contained special education teachers and paraprofessionals, when controlling for sense of community. A quantitative, causal comparative design was used to determine differences among job satisfaction between special educators. The study …

Teachers' Perceptions On The Implementation Of Behavioral Intervention Initiatives In Alternate Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Teddrick Mccreary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the teachers' perceptions of the implementation of behavior intervention initiatives in alternative schools. The theory guiding this study was the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) framework, as it suggested that teachers' attitudes and behaviors in learning or implementing new philosophies, resources, and methodologies would be addressed to proceed to higher levels of curriculum implementation. This phenomenological study investigated 13 teachers' perceptions of implementing behavior intervention initiatives at several alternative school campuses in the United States. Qualitative data collection methods included individual interviews, a focus group, and questionnaires with experienced teachers …

Evidence Based Practices To Support Inclusion Of Students With Emotional Impairments, Christine Blomberg

Masters Projects

Students with emotional impairments (EI) often experience poor academic outcomes due to their impeding social, emotional, and behavioral needs and a significant achievement gap exists between students with emotional impairments and their non-disabled peers across all academic content areas (Popham et al., 2018). Overall, the research indicates that students with emotional impairments benefit from evidence-based practices in the general education setting such as positive behavior support plans, positive reinforcement, self-monitoring strategies, and peer mentors. A guide for the implementation of evidence-based practices and accommodations to support students with emotional impairments to engage with peers and in the general education curriculum …

A Qualitative Approach Examining The Effects Of Universal Design For Learning For Students With Intellectual Disabilities In Kenya, Molly Mckinnon

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This research aims to explore the Universal Design for Learning framework looking at multiple means of representation, multiple means of expression, and multiple means of engagement and how it can support students with intellectual disabilities within the country of Kenya. Using the Structural-Functional theory, this collective case study was designed to look at schools located throughout Kenya putting an emphasis on adaptations to an environment, integration into the community, and shared values and beliefs focused on student education. Three sub-questions will be used to support data analysis focused on the pillars of Universal Design for Learning. How does the Universal …

Improving Teacher Intervention Decisions Using The Fraction Error Flowchart, Katherine Pettrey

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the U.S. the fifth-grade mathematics curriculum is largely devoted to building fraction skills, providing an essential foundation for future success in mathematics (National Mathematics Advisory Panel, 2008). Unfortunately, students in the U.S. struggle with fraction proficiency (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2022; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2018). Even when teachers facilitate interventions for struggling students those interventions may not be aligned with student need (Riccomini, 2005). Additionally, teachers struggle to identify research-based practices (RBPs) when presented with student data (Means et al., 2009). The purpose of this study was to create and test a flowchart that could …

The Formation Of A Guide For Licensed Educators Supervising And Supporting Paraeducators In Special Education, Catherine Parry

Doctor of Education (EdD)

According to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Oregon Administrative Rules, the work of paraprofessionals is required to be directed and supervised by a licensed teacher. While the typical licensed special educator is often unprepared for these duties, there are also very few accessible and applicable resources to support growth in this area. Through bracketing and memoing of literature on the topic, this content development dissertation examines what aspects of supervision and support of paraprofessionals should be included in a guide. It then proceeds to offer a succinct guide for licensed special educators on how to supervise and support …

The Effects Of Social-Emotional Learning Strategies On Promoting Positive Behavior In Elementary School Students, Lea Adams

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The focus of this action research was to appropriately implement social emotional learning into a small classroom environment. The lessons were aimed to assist students and foster positive behaviors both inside and outside the classroom environment. Participants participated in a four-week study. The research participants consisted of 17 girls and boys within a classroom. This classroom environment had a total of 11 boys and 6 girls, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The study also included four specialist teachers (Hawaiian, Japanese, Computer Science, and Physical Education), the homeroom teacher, and the school counselor. During the intervention, each class engaged in daily morning meetings, …

The Use Of Film To Motivate Interest In Students With Learning Differences Through Imagination And Diverse Thinking In Higher Education, Edward Cromarty, Mary Alice Young, Simone Elias

Journal of Research Initiatives

This article examined the use of film in higher education to inspire imagination and motivate learning in students with learning differences. It highlighted the benefits of film in enhancing education and fostering imagination and diverse, critical thinking. The findings demonstrated that film is a pedagogical instrument that may assist students with learning differences to access the curriculum better, provide alternative forms of creative and meaningful expression, and develop self-awareness, empathy, and social justice.

Analysis Of Disability Support Resources At Grand Valley State, Calle Faerber

Honors Projects

In order to receive support and accommodations in postsecondary education, students must self-report their disability to the institution they attend. Due to this policy, there are many barriers that students may face in their pursuit of these services. Barriers include fear of negative perceptions of disabilities by faculty or peers, negative perceptions of accommodations, and lengthy documentation requirements. This study aimed to determine the potential barriers for students at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and what the university is doing to address these barriers. In this study, a total of 28 undergraduate students at GVSU were surveyed and one staff …