Education Commons^™

An International Classification Of Functioning, Disability And Health Perspective On Physical Activity Participation Among Children With Cerebral Palsy, Adrenne T. Newell

Honors College Theses

Children with cerebral palsy do not commonly meet the minimum recommended physical activity guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Children with cerebral palsy face many functional limitations which can, in turn, affect participation and activity; therefore, this study aimed to identify the predictors of participation and activity among children with cerebral palsy. The study examined associations among poverty levels, neighborhood support, accommodating services, and familial financial burdens as factors influencing participation. Data were taken from the National Survey of Children’s Health. A chi-square test for the association was executed along with a logistic regression.

Becoming Inclusive: A Collection And Analysis Of The Perceptions Of Newly Qualified General Elementary Education Teachers On Their Preparedness For Teaching In Inclusive Settings, Brooke M. Armesto

Honors College Theses

Pre-service teachers majoring in elementary education generally have few opportunities to teach students with disabilities. This research addressed the question “How do newly qualified general elementary education teachers perceive their preparedness to teach in inclusive settings?” The goal of this study was to discover what areas new teachers need to become more proficient in order to successfully teach within inclusive classrooms. The topics explored include perceived preparedness for teaching in inclusive settings, ways to measure preparedness, current approaches in teaching within the inclusive settings and strategies for preparing preservice teachers. Using a qualitative narrative design, five newly qualified elementary inclusion …

The Road To Inclusion: Special Education In The United States And Mexico, Elena Hammann

Honors College Theses

This report addresses the laws, views, funding, and school system policies in the United States and Mexico. Children with disabilities are typically subject to misrepresentation, prejudice, and a lack of opportunities. The best chance these children have to succeed is an adequate education. The intention of both countries for the last five decades is to provide an equitable and inclusive education for students with disabilities. Although educational planners and policy makers in each country pass federal legislation and educational policy, there is further work for improvement. The results of current research through a questionnaire shows continued negative social bias towards …

Inclusive Ensembles: Differentiating For The Singer On The Autism Spectrum, Natalie Wilkins, Natalie A. Wilkins

Honors College Theses

Exceptional children belong in music classrooms. Music ensemble directors need to overcome complex challenges to meet the goal of inclusion, because ensembles often include a mixture of ages, grades, social and intellectual development stages, musical skills, and a wide variety of diverse learning needs. This study focuses on how a choral ensemble director may create an inclusive environment for students on the Autism Spectrum.

This study reviewed the current research on inclusive rehearsal environments. Analysis revealed varied methods for differentiation that allows students with special needs to thrive in a music classroom and also revealed that music can be a …

An Analysis Of Pre-Service Agricultural Educators’ Self-Efficacy With Exceptional Learners, Sara Edwards, Sara Edwards

Honors College Theses

The total program of agricultural education has established that the inclusion of all students is a priority, including students who fall under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other similar legislation. However, upon reviewing the literature, a significant deficit has been identified in terms of training and preparation to work with students with disabilities within agricultural education. Literature and philosophy regarding the concepts of self-efficacy and experiential learning theories are explored. Additionally, works regarding special education in the agriculture classroom and primary challenges faced by agriculture educators are reviewed. A need to establish better preparatory training within preservice …

The Disconnect Between General Classroom Teaching Techniques And English Language Learner Needs, Marliese Belt

Honors College Theses

This project will seek to identify gaps in pre-service teacher education as it relates to appropriate instructional strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs). First, public and private liberal arts schools of higher education in Kentucky will be analyzed for relevant programs and courses addressing the needs of ELLs and research-driven instructional techniques used to educate them. It will be determined that many of the schools offer undergraduate or graduate level endorsements and certificate programs, but only one, Murray State University, offers an undergraduate degree-bearing program. Next, ELLs, their characteristics, and unique needs will be defined to ensure that all stakeholders …