Education Commons^™

Students' With Learning Disabilities Perception Of Mnemonic Strategies In Mathematics Instruction, Susan C. Moore

Theses & Honors Papers

This was a qualitative as well as quantitative study conducted at a middle school in a rural county in Virginia. The researcher examined learning disabled students for their perceptions of mnemonic strategies in mathematics instruction. After direct instruction and instruction involving mnemonics, the seven subjects were tested. The test scores were examined to determine if there was a significant difference between pre and post scores. After interviewing the subjects, the results indicated five themes: unfamiliarity of procedure leads to anxiety, mnemonics improves performance, students desire more mnemonic strategies, division and other multi-step problems are the most difficult, and an increase …

Challenges To Social Interactions As Perceived By Young High Ability Adults With Learning Disabilities: A Qualitative Research Design, Dana Hathcock

Special Education ETDs

This qualitative study was designed to analyze the perceptions of adults with learning disabilities concerning social competence issues. The questions in the research were posed to participants to elicit examples of the challenges experienced as a child and as an adult; examples of the coping skills utilized; examples of circumstances which helped to alleviate the challenges; perceptions regarding the educational system and people/situations in general as factors in performance; and successful outcomes as well as possible reasons for those outcomes. Five female and five male individuals ranging in age from 25-40, having been identified with learning disabilities, participated in this …

Overview Of Brain Research And Its Effect On Sub-Categories Of Special Education, Jamie Canterbury

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

-

Effect Of Participation In A Daily Reading Log On The Reading Attitude And Achievement In Low To High Achievers, Jody M. Strauss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a daily reading log on the attitude and comprehension of sixth grade low to high achieving students. The study consisted of forty-eight students divided among two classes. Half of the students used the daily reading log and were compared with the other half who did not use daily reading logs for a sixteen week period. The spring 1997 standardized testing placed students in the low to high ranges in reading.

The students were tested in September and again in March after participating in the daily reading log program. Students' …

The Comparison Of Selection-Based And Topography-Based Verbal Behavior Across Populations, Carl T. Sundberg

Dissertations

Michael (1985) distinguished between selection-based (SB) and topography-based (TB) verbal behavior. Several studies comparing the ease of learning the two systems have shown conflicting results. The data indicate that subjects with fewer lower verbal skills have done better with TB systems (subjects with developmental disabilities in studies by Hodges & Schwethelm, 1984; Sundberg & Sundberg, 1990; Weirmanski, 1984; Wraikat, 1991; Wraikat, Sundberg, & Michael, 1991; and the bottom half of subjects in Cresson, 1994). The higher functioning subjects have done better (or have not shown a difference) with SB systems. (Bristow & Fristoe, 1984; Stratton , 1992; Tan, Bredin, Poison, …

Educators' Knowledge And Attitude Regarding Nj's Core Curriculum Content Standards, Amy H. Crossley

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the knowledge of teachers regarding NJ's Core Curriculum Content Standards and their attitudes towards those standards. A survey was distributed and collected from 35 participants. Items on the survey were factored into three categories. These categories described how well-informed educators were regarding NJ's CCCS, their feelings towards the standards and how well-prepared they as educators felt they were. Results reveal that educators have "some" knowledge regarding NJ's CCCS, however, that knowledge-base must be broadened. Results also showed that the majority of educators have either a "positive" attitude or an "indifferent" attitude towards implementing NJ's CCCS and that …

Scotopic Sensitivity/Irlen Syndrome And The Adult Graduate Student, Patricia Haas Berry

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to establish the prevalence of SS/Irlen Syndrome in adult graduate students. SS/Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual dysfunction that causes 14 to 16 percent of the general population physical discomfort such as headache, eye strain and blurry vision and academic difficulties such as poor background accommodations and print resolution resulting in inefficient reading (Irlen, 1997).

The 16 subjects were adult graduate students in a university program. Data collection was achieved through the utilization of questionnaires. The first questionnaire, the Irlen Observation Form, surveyed the subjects for characteristics of SS/Irlen Syndrome. The second questionnaire, Parts A …

The Effects Of Self-Monitoring, An Action List, And Graphing On On-Task Behavior, Paula Chamberlin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if self-monitoring, graphing of on-task behavior time, and the use of a predetermined written action list with self-evaluation of adherence to that action list would increase on-task behavior time during independent study time. The hypothesis was that students in the supplemental instruction program would decrease their incidences of off-task behavior by bringing a predetermined written action list with them to class, self-evaluating adherence to their action list, self-monitoring and graphing their on-task behavior time.

The fifteen students who participated in this study are students who attend Delsea Regional High School, located in …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Educational Resources On The World Wide Web, Nicole A. Fedeli

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide educators with a sampling of the educational resources that are available on the world wide web. It was also designed to determine the different categories of web sites available. The study was conducted by using the Yahoo! search engine. A search was entered for areas such as Social Studies and Special Education. The resulting web sites were then navigated to determine their relevancy to the study. Relevant web sites were placed into the following categories: Information sites and Lesson Plan sites. The sub-categories of Information sites are: For the Classroom, Special Education, …

A Comparison Of Perceived Satisfaction With Quality Of Life For Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury And Mental Retardation, Todd Jarger

Theses and Dissertations

An exploratory study was conducted to examine the possible differences in satisfaction with specific quality of life indicators developed by Schalock (1996) between persons with mental retardation and those with acquired traumatic brain injuries. A survey comprised of a Likert-type scale was utilized to interview 41 adults with mental retardation and 27 adults with traumatic brain injury to obtain their perceived satisfaction with their quality of life. The analysis of the data suggests that a significant difference exists between the two groups. The sample of persons with brain injuries expressed lower levels of satisfaction on 10 of the 11 items …

The Will And Skill Of Preservice Teachers To Collaborate And Accommodate In Inclusive Settings, Valerie M. Colonna

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of 36 elementary, 25 secondary, and 20 special education preservice teachers regarding their willingness and ability to collaborate with other educators and accommodate special needs students in inclusive classrooms. Survey results indicated that special education subjects led their elementary and secondary counterparts on both willingness and ability subscales to collaborate and accommodate special students in the regular classroom. All three groups rated their willingness higher than their ability, but for the elementary and secondary groups, this difference was notably greater. However, results revealed significant differences between the preservice groups on a number of collaboration and …

The Effects Of Cooperative Learning On Social Interactions And Attitudes Toward English Class In At-Risk Students, Catherine A. Mikionis

Theses and Dissertations

This research study examined the effects of cooperative learning methods on social interactions and attitudes toward English class in 18 at-risk high school students enrolled in a small alternative education program located on a college campus. The findings suggested cooperative learning methods increased students' positive social interactions, increased students' reported number of friends, and decreased students' cut classes. Although no significant difference in overall mean was found on the attitude toward English class survey, students' dislike for participating in class discussions decreased measurably. The implications for this study are such that cooperative learning methods can be effectively used with at-risk …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Adolescents And The Use Of Ritalin, Joanne Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see if a combined stimulant intervention/behavior improvement system facilitated greater gains on achievement tests and on a behavior improvement level system than a behavior improvement system alone with ADHD adolescents. The sample used consisted of 10 subjects classified with ADHD. Subjects were matched for IQ, age, educational classification and placement, socioeconomic status, and family type. Five subjects received stimulants and five received no medication, but all subjects were involved with the behavior improvement system at school. Pretest results were gathered using the KTEA (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, brief form) and the student's …

Special Educators And Job Satisfaction, Joyce A. Devito

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how specific variables affected job satisfaction among special educators at a special education school district. The variables examined were gender, student population, number of years teaching, number of years teaching a specific population, and age of students. It was hypothesized that female teachers and teachers who worked with emotionally disturbed students would express less job satisfaction than male teachers and teachers working with other special education populations. It was further hypothesized that the greater the number of years teaching and working with a specific population, the greater the expressed job satisfaction. In addition, it was thought that …

An Ecobehavioral Study Of Elementary Students With Disabilities In An Inclusive Classroom, Neal Reid Lieberman

Special Education ETDs

This study is part of a wider study funded by the New Mexico State Department of Education (NMSDE) entitled the Pilot Study of Service Delivery Models in Special Education in New Mexico (Keefe, Ware, & Blalock, 1997). The purpose of this study is to compare inclusive and non-inclusive models of education with regard to student outcomes. The literature review will show how this project adds to the research base on outcomes. This portion of research was chosen because it was able to describe the relationship between ecological variables and student outcomes in a school committed to providing and supporting students …

Implications Of Changing To 4 By 4 Semester Block Scheduling For Secondary Students With Learning Disabilities, Sandra Kay Wayne

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of changing from a traditional schedule to a block schedule on selected school-related behaviors and measures of secondary students with learning disabilities and their regular education teachers. Areas of impact that were addressed included school performance measures of student success rates, attendance rates, and discipline referrals as well as affective measures of levels of students' active engagement in learning activities, the variety of teaching and learning modes used, and the amount of individualized teacher attention given to students.

The research population consisted of six high schools in south and central …

A Model Inclusion Program For Primary Level Students, Greg S. Brown

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a model inclusion program for primary level students. To accomplish this purpose, a review of current literature and research related to integration of special education students into a "regular" classroom was conducted. Additionally, information from selected schools and districts related to primary inclusion programs was obtained and analyzed.

A Transition Plan For High School Special Education Students, Michael J. Torres

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to develop a transition plan that would facilitate the movement into the post-school setting for high school students with disabilities. Research on the factors that contribute to successful transition plans was examined. A four year transition plan for students with special needs was created that would detail specific requirements for each of the grades 9-12. These requirements would encompass vocational education/training and instruction, community experiences, life skills, functional vocational evaluation and assessment, interagency collaboration, parent involvement, and post-school education. The attainment of these requirements would be demonstrated by a cumulative portfolio.

A Special Education Composition Curriculum: An Interactive Approach, Jeffrey Michael Neighbors

Theses Digitization Project

Writing instruction that reflects the variety or represented pupil intelligences and learning styles in a special day classroom can significantly increase a child's opportunity for success. Attending to these areas while simultaneously taking into account student strengths, interests, and desires can facilitate the academic process. Written language skills and achievement must be addressed in a supportive and encouraging climate motivating children and maximizing their willingness to undertake new concepts.

Extinction Of Headbanging Behavior In An Autistic Child: A Case Study, Fernando Cerón Esquivel

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Identifying And Motivating At-Risk Students, Thomas Anthony Desiano, Douglas Ellis Dill, Matthew John Raith

Theses Digitization Project

It is the goal of this program to identify these at-risk students, track their grades, and incorporate a tutorial program to motivate and build their self-esteem and ultimately, their academic performance. This program can succeed with the proper administrative support, teacher involvement and parent and community assistance.

A Follow-Up Of Transitioning Students With Mild Disabilities, Carolee Ann Novicky Monroe

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Selective Attention In College Students With And Without Learning Disabilities: Identification Of Incongruent Emotional Stimuli, Adrienne R. Wolfe

Theses & Honors Papers

Students with LD may show deficiencies in selective attention, both visual and auditory, which can affect interpretation of social situations. The Stroop Test is often used to gauge selective attention to congruent and incongruent visual stimuli. In this experiment , the Stroop Test, and a similar researcher­ conducted task based on the depiction of emotions paired with congruent and incongruent words and an emotional task, involving emotional words paired with incongruent pictures depicting people with different facial expressions, were presented to college students with and without LD. The reaction times, and the number and types of correct and incorrect answers …

A Trial Application Of The Teacch Program With Turkish Children With Autism, Bihter Mutlu

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Counseling And Tutoring Interventions For Students With Special Needs To Promote Success In Regular Classes Coursework: California State University Profile, Salwa T. Abdel-Mesih

Theses Digitization Project

The general purpose of this study was to investigate the concept that the learning disabled group (LDG) students who are given extra attention will show improvement in their regular classes. Three methods selected: Group counseling, individual counseling, and individual tutoring.

Resilience Profiles Of Young Children In Special Education And Poverty-Related Programs: The Role Of Protective Factors, Evelyn Reed-Victor

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Influences Of Self In Career Decision-Making Among Gifted Adolescents Attending Governor's School In Science And Technology, William Rutledge Orton

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate conflict in educational and career decision-making of gifted adolescents who had attended a summer residential program in science and technology. The sample consisted of 147 gifted and talented young men and women who attended the Virginia Governor's School in Science and Technology in either 1990 or 1995. Subjects completed the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire (MIQ) as a measure of work needs and values, and an investigator-designed questionnaire that probed the path of their career decision-making. Results on the MIQ indicated the 1990 cohort was significantly higher on the needs subscales of achievement, altruism, …

Increasing Teachers' And Parents' Awareness Of Indicators Of Giftedness In Economically Disadvantaged Students, Clifton Gadberry Payne Jr.

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Low socioeconomic students represent a population in public schools which is underrepresented and underserved in the talented and gifted programs. Part of the problem may be due to teachers' and parents' abilities to recognize giftedness in economically disadvantaged potentially gifted students and to nominate them for a gifted screening.;The present study attempted to determine if a training program for teachers and parents would increase the valid referral rate of potentially gifted economically disadvantaged students. Teachers at one school received an oral presentation and written summation of economically disadvantaged potentially gifted student characteristics. Teachers at a second school received the written …

A Study Of The Special Education Administrator's Role Related To Secondary Transition: Management And Leadership Dimensions, Karen Richards Hudson

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the complex role of division level special education administrators relating to secondary transition services. Management and leadership dimensions of the role of special education administrators related to secondary transition services were explored by surveying all special education directors (133) in the Commonwealth of Virginia using a survey instrument specifically designed for this study.;Analyses of the data revealed significant overlap between the management and leadership components of the role suggesting that the two constructs can not be separated. The dimensions of management and leadership were highly correlated and ratings for importance of …

Report Card Grading And Adaptations For Students With Disabilities: A Survey Of Practices In East Central Illinois, Melissa L. Jones

Masters Theses

The issue of grading the academic performance of students with disabilities has become a challenge as the restructuring of special education has placed these students in general education settings. A survey was conducted within the Illinois counties of Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, and Shelby in hopes of determining current policy, desired grading formats and practical grading adaptations for students with disabilities. One hundred responses, which questioned the attitudes and opinions of each group, as well as written policy and guidelines were solicited from each of four defined subgroups (teachers of special education, elementary level classroom teachers, secondary level …