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Cost Effectiveness And Programmatic Differences In Early Intervention Services Delivered In Natural Environments, Jacque L. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Federal re-authorization of IDEA stresses the importance of serving disabled infants and toddlers in natural environments. For most infants, this is their home or daycare setting. Thirteen state funded early intervention programs in Southern New Jersey collected daily logs of direct and indirect services provided to over 1,000 children on a daily basis. Logs were summarized for two one-month periods. Results were tabulated for each program to indicate the percentage of staff time spent in direct activity with the family; the percentage of missed appointments; and time spent in traveling.

Comparison Of Students Eligible For Special Education Services Who Are Involved In Extra-Curricular Activities And Those Not Involved, Lisa M. Owen

Theses and Dissertations

The difference in academic achievement of students eligible for special education services who are involved in extra-curricular activities and those not involved was studied. Academic achievement referred to the report card grades and semester grade point averages of the students. Extra-curricular activities included those associated with the high school. The purpose of the study was to identify the differences in academic achievement between these two groups of students.

There were 193 subjects from a suburban high school in Southern New Jersey. The sample was from varying ethnic and economic backgrounds. They were eligible for special services under 8 different classifications, …

Gender Role Stereotyping In Occupational Choices, Paul Michael Rodrigo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see if students' occupational career choices were gender role stereotyped. The subjects making up this study were from a middle/upper class suburban area located in southern New Jersey. 192 subjects in fifth grade, 201 subjects in eighth grade, and 280 subjects in twelfth grade participated in this study. The percentage of males and females for each grade was close to a 50% split. This study was conducted using a survey, which asked the subjects what their choice for a career was at that time. Choices were compared to a listing of careers from …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Locus Of Control, Behavior And Academic Achievement In 5th Grade Students, Dawn Zuber

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to investigate the relationship between locus of control, academic achievement and behavior in 5th grade students. It was hypothesized that locus of control would be more internalized with high academic achievement and less behavior problems. A total of 40 subjects participated. Data was collected using the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale, the Devereux Behavior Scale-School Form and the Metropolitan Achievement Test. Using this data, a relationship was measured using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r). The results demonstrated significant correlations between all of the variables. The results were interpreted to mean that 5th grade students with an …

Discipline For The Twenty First Century: Giving Back Dignity To Students With Severe Behavior Disorders, Kimberly S. Devers

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the "Discipline with Dignity" program in increasing appropriate behaviors in the classroom setting. The Revised Behavior Checklist was completed by the classroom teacher for four students in each classroom, to establish a degree or frequency of problem behaviors and to designate a target behavior for which to focus upon. After five months, the behaviors of the eight students were again rated by the checklist to determine if there was any change. The study revealed that on the pretest checklist the students scored the highest in the area of conduct …

An Evaluation Of The Major Barriers/Limitations Of Collaborative Teaching In The Middle School Inclusive Setting, Lisa Barcklow

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the major barriers/limitations of collaborative teaching in the middle school inclusive setting and assist teachers and administrators in developing effective strategies to enhance successful collaborative teaching efforts. Professional educators working in a collaborative inclusive middle school setting were selected through the district of Gloucester Township. Regular education teachers and special education teachers were asked to respond to questions addressing the necessary elements needed for effective collaboration.

To accomplish the general purpose of this study, questions focused on the following factors: 1) the elements necessary for successful collaborative teaching, 2) areas in collaborative …

Establishing Validity In The Social Sexual Awareness Scale For Adults With Developmental Disability, Pauline N. Stuempfle

Theses and Dissertations

The present study seeks to establish data supporting convergent and concurrent validity of the Social Sexual Awareness Scale by correlating SSAS score with current status regarding competency to make the decision to engage in high risk sexual behavior as agreed by the IDT. The premise is that capacity to consent to high risk sexual behavior can be measured in a way that would enhance the decision making process of the court without detracting from its authority.

Archival data relating to IQ, adaptive functioning level, guardianship status, absence or presence of a secondary psychiatric diagnosis and previous IDT decisions as to …

A Listing Of Modifications, Models, And Teaching Roles Utilized By Inclusion Teachers At A Secondary School, Bruce N. Krout

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine which modifications, teaching roles, and responsibilities the regular and special education team teachers use to give support in inclusive secondary classrooms. The co-teachers were asked to make recommendations to improve inclusion program effectiveness. The information was collected through a questionnaire disseminated to seven regular educators and five special educators who team-teach in grades seven to twelve. The percentages of the teachers' responses were reported along with a list of teacher recommendations.

The first part of the questionnaire included a checklist of classroom modifications related to classroom organization, instructional methodology, assignment adaptations, testing …

A Study To Determine The Basis Of Attrition Among Learning Disabilities Teacher/Consultants, Julie M. Mason

Theses and Dissertations

Fourteen certified learning disabilities teacher/consultants (LDT/C's) who are not working in that position were identified by the child study team director from their district. All fourteen responded to a survey that asked them to characterize their feelings about certain statements that pertained to the LDT/C position. A Likert rating scale was used to show how strongly the respondents agreed or disagreed with the statement.

Results were analyzed and it was revealed that five out of the fourteen who responded never worked as an LDT/C. Upon further review, it was also discovered that not one statement was answered the same by …

Personality Traits And Addiction Relapse Rates: Is There A Connection?, Lori Sadwin O'Leary

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine what differences, if any, there were in personality trait levels of Neuroticism and Conscientiousness between addicts/ alcoholics who relapsed and those who remained abstinent. It was hypothesized that high levels of Neuroticism combined with low levels of Conscientiousness would be associated with relapsing addicts and low levels of Neuroticism combined with high levels of Conscientiousness would be associated with abstaining addicts. Fifty-one subjects participated in this study and their personality traits were measured with the NEO-FFI, a self-reporting personality questionnaire. Relapse and abstinence were observed over a three-month period. A one-way ANOVA …

How To Use E-Mail Marketing To Build Customer Relationships, Joseph J. Delmar Sr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify popular techniques used to create successful e-mail marketing campaigns and how companies can use e-mail marketing to build customer relationships.

Related research indicated e-mail's popularity continues to grow and it is changing how companies market themselves. A content analysis of e-mail newsletters from the top 50 online advertisers was conducted. The research indicated many companies are still learning how to use e-mail marketing. Twenty-one companies failed to respond while others abused the customer relationship by sending unsolicited third party advertising and/or sponsorships with their e-mail.

Research findings also revealed that e-mail marketing …

An Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of A Phonological Awareness Program For Learning Disabled Resource Students Of Average Intelligence, Edna H. Garrison

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of a phonological awareness program on a group of learning disabled resource students of average intelligence. The participating group, consisting of five second and two third grade students, underwent phonemic awareness training sessions for six months, once daily for 15 minutes. The subjects were trained in the "Phonological Awareness Program"(1995). They were asked to complete pre and post tests using the Phonological Awareness Test (1997).

Average gains in the area of rhyming, segmentation, isolation, deletion, substitution, blending, graphemes, and decoding were calculated, totaled and analyzed. Results indicated that formal phonemic awareness training …

The Effects Of Participation In Athletics On The Development Of High School Students With Special Needs, Derryk Sellers

Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at the effects of participation in athletics on the development of high school students with special needs. Specifically, this study examined classroom behavior, academic performance, and social development. This study also explored some of the aspects of the development of these students by studying classroom behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement. Students with special needs who participate in athletics were compared to those who do not participate. The results of this study suggest that athletics are beneficial to the development of the special needs students. This study will help administrators, teachers, parents, and students understand the role …

The Effect Of Educational Placement On Self-Concept, Karin Dech Pescatore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine self-concept of students from different placement settings. Academic, social, and general self-concepts were considered. Subjects were chosen from four placement settings: regular education classroom, basic skills instruction (BSI), resource room instruction, and self-contained special education classroom. A sample size of forty-eight students from grades five and six was used. Data was collected through the use of a self-concept scale as well as several student interviews. Data was recorded and analyzed on a computer using the StatView program. Mean scores and standard deviations were compared to determine differences in self-concept scores among the …

The Effectiveness Of The "Making Words" Program On Reading Decoding, Mandy E. Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Making Words Program when incorporated into the whole language curriculum will help children with special needs improve their reading decoding. Meaningful growth on reliable instruments would indicate a possible correlation between the use of the Making Words Program and reading decoding development.

The study consisted of five second grade students ranging in age from 7 years to 8 years. All students were given instruction through a whole language based approach in addition to the Making Words Program. The treatment program consisted of one session per week for a duration of …

The Effects Of Peer-Tutoring Learning Disabled Students In A Resource Center Setting On Generalization Of Skills, Patricia L. Grieves

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of peer tutoring on the comprehension of science vocabulary and terms and determine if those study skills methods taught would generalize to the studying of social studies vocabulary and terms. A cross-age peer tutoring program pairing seven seventh grade learning disabled students with seven eighth grade regular education tutors was used. Tutors worked with tutees for an eight week program tutoring in science vocabulary and terms through two study skills methods, Self-testing Techniques and Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Two methods were used to determine results. The first was a …

Participation Of Special Education Students In Extracurricular Activities: Motivation And Effects On Academic Performance And Social Skills, Carolynn J. Cassaday

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines special education students' participation in extracurricular activities. This study involves 40 special education students in seventh and eighth grades. Each student was interviewed individually during one class period to answer a survey to determine their participation rate in extracurricular activities inside and outside of school. Their responses were recorded and analyzed to determine the rate of participation in extracurricular activities. The students were interviewed again during a forty-two minute class period to determine if they demonstrate appropriate social skills. These questions were answered with always, sometimes, or never. The results of this research study showed no significant …

The Effectiveness Of A Social Skills Program Used With Children With Learning Disabilities, Sandra L. Dalton

Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the effectiveness of a social skills program both inside and outside of the classroom. Its purpose was to see of positive behaviors increased and negative behaviors decreased both inside and outside of the classroom. The results showed that overall, for the class, positive behaviors increased and negative behaviors decreased. Individual results varied. The implications of this are great. If we teach our students with learning disabilities the necessary social skills now, they will be able to take these skills outside of the school setting and successfully integrate into society.

Family Support Of Emergent Literacy In Students With Moderate And Severe Cognitive Delays, Dianna M. Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to explore family support of emergent literacy of students with moderate and severe cognitive delays. The research question addressed was "Does family support of emergent literacy differ on the basis of the severity of the student's cognitive delay?" Data were gathered by means of a parent survey of home literacy experiences.

Research showed that students with moderate cognitive delays participated in more emergent literacy activities and exhibited higher level responses to emergent literacy activities than students with severe cognitive delays, and the parents of moderately delayed students perceived more academically oriented benefits to home literacy activities. Results …

Identified Students With Anger Management Difficulties And Their Locus Of Control, David Andrew Davenport Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to consider whether students who had been identified as having anger management difficulties have a significantly higher degree of External Locus of Control when compared to a random sample of their classmates. The participants included 45 students (18 males and 27 females) from a High School in the Northeast Region of the United States, between the ages of 14 to 19 years old.

The Nowicki-Strickland Internal External Locus of Control Scale for Children was used to assess the Locus of Control orientation in the subjects. The scores from the subject group were then compared …

Gender Differences In Mathematics Anxiety And Achievement: Grades 4-8, Juliet H. Mcginley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in mathematics anxiety as it is related to mathematics achievement. It was expected that there would not be a gender difference in mathematics achievement, but that there would be a gender difference in math anxiety. Specifically, it was expected that females would have a higher math anxiety than males, and that this difference would magnify in the higher grades. The participants were 250 students in grades 4-8 from a Catholic elementary school in a middle-class suburb in Southern New Jersey. Prior to their mathematics midterm examination, the participants completed the …

The Relationship Between The Congruence Of Vocational Interests And College Major And Self-Concept, Amina C. Husain

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there is a relationship between the congruence (agreement) of an individual's vocational interests and academic major and the level of self-concept. This study reports on the level of self-concept and the degree of congruence between the selection of an academic major and their personality type or profile using the Self Directed Search (Holland, 1994). The level of self-concept was determined by using the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (Fitts, 1965). The congruence score was obtained by utilizing was the Zener-Schnuelle Congruence Index (Robbins, Harvey, & Kandefer 1978). Sixty college freshmen and …

A Correlational Study Of Social Skills, Problem Behaviors And Academic Competence Among First Grade Students, Colleen Van Zelst

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social skills functioning, problem behaviors and academic competence among elementary school children. Thirty-seven first grade students were subjects in the study. The Social Skills Rating System was used to measure each subject's social skills functioning, problem behaviors and academic competence. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was calculated to determine if there was a correlation between the variables. The results of the study indicated a significant positive correlation between social skills functioning and academic competence. A significant negative correlation was found between social skills functioning and problem behaviors and also …

Gender Identity And Course Selection, Michele Nasife-Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Differences between males and females in cognitive skills during adolescence are trivial, but despite this absence of differences females are less likely to pursue advanced courses in math and science, and those who do are more likely to drop out before finishing. This has implications, because some females may have personality characteristics that lead them away from stereotypical careers. The consensus of the research is that females are not encouraged to pursue careers in math and science because they are seen as masculine careers. This study examined gender identity and how it correlates with academic major and career choice in …

A Reliability Of The Adolescent And Adult Self-Concept Retrospective Scale, Andrea D. Marino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to establish test-retest reliability coefficients for the Adolescent and Adult Self-Concept Retrospective Scale (AASRS). This study utilized a one-week duration between test administrations for the test instrument. There were thirty-one college students used, ranging in age from eighteen to twenty. The AASRS is an individually administered, interview-type self-concept measure. The version of the test used in this study is designed for older populations. The Pearson product-moment correlation statistical procedure was used to calculate the correlation coefficients for this sample. The correlations for both the Global and Distortion Indexes were calculated. The correlations were found …

The Effects Of Block Scheduling On Students With Special Needs, Kimberly C. Seifring

Theses and Dissertations

This study surveyed the professionals from two schools in the southern New Jersey area regarding their views of block scheduling as well as their views on the effectiveness of block scheduling among students with special needs. A total of 243 surveys were distributed and 61 were returned. The survey questioned the teachers in regards to the changes they had to incorporate into their daily instructional time upon switching to block scheduling, the advantages and disadvantages of block scheduling, and how to ensure that students with special needs experience success while participating in a block schedule. A majority of the participants …

Motivation Among Students With Learning Disabilities, April H. Conti

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether intrinsic motivation is a major factor in explaining academic performance deficits in children with learning disabilities. Harter's Scale of Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Orientation in the Classroom was given to 34 students with learning disabilities and 36 students without learning disabilities from Grades 4 to 6 from a suburban, middle-class school district located in Southeastern New Jersey. It was proposed that students with learning disabilities were less intrinsically motivated than students without identified learning disabilities. However, the general pattern of results derived from a T-Test for Independent Samples did not show a …

A Study Of Board Members' Knowledge Of Idea And New Jersey's Special Education Code, Susan Lynne Geverd

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to obtain information regarding the level of understanding that local school board members have in reference to IDEA and the New Jersey Special Education Code. A questionnaire was devised that contained twelve items in regards to least restrictive environment, free and appropriate education, the IEP process, evaluation procedures and parental rights. Thirty-six questionnaires were distributed to a convenience group composed of a school superintendent and board members. The sample represented four different counties in New Jersey. A total of 16 questionnaires were returned. It was found that out of the 16 respondents, 5 answered …

The Relationship Of Authoritative Parenting, School Attendance, Suspension, And Academic Success Among Adolescents, Charles Bender

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived parenting style of adolescents and the educational implications. Grade Point Average, Absences, and Suspensions was explored. The level of perceived authoritativeness, as well as the "pure" parenting style was measured. Adolescents who viewed their parents as presenting a more firm and democratic parenting atmosphere demonstrated a lower rate of absenteeism and did better academically.

The Child Report of Parental Behavior Inventory was administered to seventh and eighth grades in an urban school district. The sample size for this study was 320 (m=148, f=172). The study was comprised of 194 African …

The Effect Of A Student Assessment Instrument In The Performance Of Basic Skills Mathematics Students At The Community College Level, Matthew Flacche

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to see if implementation of a self-assessing instrument improved students' test scores when compared to no mid-unit assessment at all. The experiment involved basic skills mathematics students from Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey. Two Math Skills III (Elementary Algebra) classes, containing a total of 39 students, were included in the study. Both sections of students completed pretests. The students in both classes received similar instruction, however one class (the treatment group) received three weeks of instruction, completed and graded Student Assessment Instruments (SAI's) approximately every other class (during the instruction), and took a unit …