Education Commons^™

Brain Gym And Its Effect On The Reading Comprehension Of Third Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Stacey P. Bundens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to research the effects of the Edu-K/Brain Gym program on the reading abilities of learning disabled students. Fourteen students who had been diagnosed as learning disabled and enrolled in a self-contained third grade classroom participated in this study. The experimental group received fourteen days of treatment twice a day for ten minutes. The control group received no treatment. Pre- and post-test measures on the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test were compared to determine the progress of the students.

The data shows that the experimental group made only slight gains in the area of Word Comprehension. …

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 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 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 …

The Effect Of An Inclusive Program On Teachers, Anne Grady

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how critical collaborative teams of regular education and special education teachers operate, what strategies are presently in use and what can be done to foster success in the future in inclusive settings. The subjects of this study consisted of eight pairs of regular and special education teachers forming collaborative pairs. All participants volunteered to complete the survey instrument. The responses were analyzed by using content analysis. Many of the educators' responses were positive concerning inclusion and in-class support. However, there are some concerns reported for the implementation of this program in the …

Teaching And Assessing The Writing Process, Gail H. Biros

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide valuable information regarding the assessment and teaching of writing skills. Although students spend time writing stories, they do not write frequently enough to learn the basic skills of writing. Just as teachers learned that children needed direct instruction in reading skills to make "Whole Language" successful, similarly writing must be taught utilizing direct instruction of specific skills.

There are few reliable and valid assessment tools in the written language domain. A comprehensive assessment tool is needed at the beginning of the school year to help the teacher focus on the individual student …