Education Commons^™

An Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of A Social Skills Training Program With Young Multiply Handicapped Students, Michele L. Kratz

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of a formal social skills training (SST) program on a group of self-contained, multiply handicapped students. The treatment group, consisting of 24 students, underwent five months of formal SST, at least three times a week for a 30 to 50 minute period. The participating teachers were trained in, and followed, Elias and Clabby's Social Decision Making and Problem Solving: Revised Readiness Curriculum (1988). They were asked to complete pre- and post test Likert scales (Social Problem Solving Skills Checklist) on the presence of specific social skills in each student.

Average gains in …

Teaching Strategies And Methodologies Utilized In Inclusion Education Classrooms, Christine Gentile

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine if regular education classroom teachers modify their lesson plans and/or their teaching methods to accommodate the leaning abilities of "inclusion" children within their classrooms.

Seven certified regular education classroom teachers from a single school district participated. The participants were currently practicing teachers who varied in years of teaching experience, areas of certification, and grades taught. Each teacher completed a questionnaire and a checklist which focused on present teaching strategies and methodologies for inclusion children as well as questions based on changes needed for the future of inclusion in their school district.

Data …

A Study Of The Perceptions Of Both Parents And Teachers On Whether Pharmacological Interventions Along With Behavior Modification Work In Controlling Behavior In Students With Add, Carol L. Gallucci

Theses and Dissertations

More and more students are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and placed on medication.

This study looks at students in both private and public schools who are already diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and are on medication. Both parents and teachers of the same student filled out surveys inquiring whether behavior modification is used along with medication in controlling student behavior at home and in the classroom.

There are 25 pairs of participants in this study. Twenty pairs of respondents are from private schools, with five pairs from public schools.

The surveys sent out included nine questions for parents and …

A Compilation Of Modifications And Accommodations Used By Regular Education Teachers In An Inclusion Program, Susan F. Mcnally

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compile a list of modifications and accommodations regular education teachers use in their classrooms to help classified students succeed in an inclusion setting. Data were collected using a questionnaire, observations, and interviews with teachers in kindergarten through grade six (with grade five omitted). Fourteen regular education teachers in two school districts, representing four elementary schools, participated in this study. Data were compiled in four areas: (1) classroom demographics; (2) teacher education; (3) specific modifications and accommodations used by teachers; and (4) specific teacher needs for future inclusion settings, Information was presented in the …

Significant Factors Contributing To The Successful Inclusion Of Students With Moderate To Severe Disabilities Into General K-2 Classrooms, Bonni Rubin-Sugarman

Theses and Dissertations

Since 1975 a federal law has made the local school district responsible for the education of ALL children living within its geographical boundaries, This law, originally known as the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142), and now known as IDEA or The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, guarantees that children with disabilities will have a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. This free and appropriate public education would afford children with disabilities the opportunity, to the maximum extent possible, to be educated in their neighborhood school alongside their non-disabled peers.

The purpose of this …

Utilizing Creative Movement To Enrich The Growth And Development Of Preschool Handicapped Children, Sandra R. Barnett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to a creative dance instructional program would promote growth in the areas of language development and motor skills with preschool handicapped children. Eight youngsters were selected to serve as an experimental group while eight others served as a control group receiving no formal instruction.

The Learning Accomplishment Profile (LAP) and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales and Activity Cards Test and a Help Checklist served to assess levels before and after the program of instruction.

The results of the study indicated that growth in receptive and expressive language development as well …

A Study To Determine The Rate Of Participation Of Special Education Students In Extracurricular Activities And Factors Inhibiting Their Participation, Lyn Vetter

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared special education students who join extracurricular activities versus those that do not join, and identified factors that inhibit participation in the various extracurricular activities that are offered. Twenty special education students at the seventh and eighth grade levels enrolled in the Mullica Township Middle School were interviewed individually during their study hall period to determine the extent of their participation in extracurricular activities. Their responses were recorded and analyzed to determine the rate of participation. The groups were then divided into participants and non-participants and responses were content analyzed. Results showed that the majority of the sample …

A Comparison Of Special Needs Children's Development Of Letter Naming And Letter-Phoneme Production In A Traditional And A Whole Language Classroom, June M. Mosher

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared the gains made in recognition and naming of the 21 consonant letters of the alphabet as well as production of the phonemes to the letters by two special needs groups of children from the ages of five to ten. One group of seven students received instruction in a traditional class, with the teacher presenting one letter of the alphabet per week. The second group of eleven students was taught in a whole language class, with an emphasis on reading and writing without isolated instruction in individual letters. The children were pretested in October, 1996 and posttested in …

A Comparison Of Self-Concepts Of Children Placed In A Pull-Out, Resource Center Versus An In-Class Support Model, Stephanie A. Scafario

Theses and Dissertations

Since inclusion is becoming a popular practice in many schools, its effects on children with learning disabilities must be considered. A child's self-concept is an important factor which often influences his success in academic, social, and emotional domains. Therefore, the effect that placement in a full day, in-class support classroom has on students with learning disabilities was investigated. A sample of 28 students with the classifications of perceptually impaired or neurologically impaired from grades 3, 4, and 5 participated in the study. Two groups were studied. One group received special education services through in-class support classrooms, while the other group …

The Development Of Grading Procedures For Students With Educational Disabilities Attending Regular Education Classes, Kathleen Sharp Sweeder

Theses and Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act states that children with disabilities must be educated, to the maximum extent possible and appropriate, in the regular education setting with non-handicapped children. The purpose of this study was to develop grading procedures for students with educational disabilities who attend regular education classes. Current district policies, the teachers' procedures for grading students, and the best practices presented in literature were investigated. Is grading students with educational disabilities in the regular education setting a concern for teachers? Should this school district develop a grading policy for students with educational disabilities? A teacher questionnaire was developed …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of A Whole Language Instructional Approach In Stimulating Emergent Literacy Development Among At-Risk Kindergarten Students, Eileen C. Baxter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a whole language instructional approach as a means of stimulating the emergent literacy development of kindergarten students determined to be "at risk." Meaningful growth on reliable observation surveys would indicate a possible correlation between the use of whole language instructional techniques and emergent literacy development.

A review of the literature indicates that young children acquire emergent literacy concepts and skills most efficaciously when they are immersed in a print-rich environment in which a variety of forms and functions are used in meaningful activities.

The study consisted of thirty students …

A Survey Of Employers Of Persons With Moderate Mental Retardation And Review Of A Vocational Curriculum, Nancy A. Armbruster

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine the vocational skills employers of persons with moderate mental retardation required for successful employment and to evaluate the vocational curriculum at Burlington County Special Services School to determine if those same skills were being implemented. There was wide agreement regarding the importance of vocational education and the need for employers to provide information concerning skills needed for successful employment.

The methodology employed in this project consisted of interviewing five employers of individuals with moderate mental retardation. A questionnaire was administered to determine the skills employers felt were important for schools to teach. …

A Comparison Of Strategy Instruction And Sequential Instruction Of Verbal Math Problems, Eva L. Surowicz

Theses and Dissertations

This research study was conducted to test the effectiveness of strategy instruction and sequencing practice problems in teaching fourth grade students to identify the correct algorithm for solving one-step multiplication and division problems. Forty-eight students were assigned to one of three experimental groups: strategy-plus-sequence, strategy only, or sequence only. The results indicated that students in the strategy only group and the strategy-plus-sequence group scored significantly higher than did students in the sequence only group. Findings indicated that strategy teaching was more effective than sequencing problem type. Implications for instructional design are discussed.

A Survey Of Selected Southern New Jersey School Districts To Determine Effects On Special Education Of Policy Changes Proposed In August 1996, Heidi Roman Chausse

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-three of thirty districts surveyed respond to questions addressing the implications of proposed amendments to NJAC 6:28, presented by Dr. Klagholz in August 1996. Statistical data was obtained regarding district size and special education populations. Responses investigated areas of Child Study Team, classification, programs, P2R, curriculum and assessment, case management and outside agency licensure The results were tabulated and significant findings were evident.

The most provocative findings show uncertainty on the part of the districts as to the effects of these proposed changes on special education. The respondents indicate concerns that these changes will lead to increased litigation and a …

Does Student Adherence To An Aptitude-Achievement Discrepancy Formula Exclude Students Who Are Truly In Need Of Special Education Services?, Lisa R. Vizthum

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to review current practices of Child Study Teams when classifying a student as perceptually impaired in order to determine if children are being misclassified, and also to determine if strict guidelines will really lower the numbers of children being classified as perceptually impaired. A second purpose was to survey districts as to what programs they currently have in place in order to discourage students from dropping out of high school.

A survey/questionnaire was sent to 22 Directors of Special Services in a given county. A total of 12 districts responded, representing a participation rate …