Education Commons^™

Strategies For Creating An Inclusive Environment In Early Childhood Education, Jenica Boelter

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The articles reviewed in this literature review examine key strategies needed to create a positive learning environment and successfully include students with disabilities in an inclusive elementary classroom. Key strategies include relationships, collaboration, providing feedback, the use of visuals and nonverbal communication, accommodations, and understanding a students perception of school climate. The literature review concluded that creating this type of collaborative environment with strong relationships ultimately has a positive impact on student success in the classroom. Considering the current trend of inclusion in education, it is important to research and develop strategies that support children with disabilities in the classroom. …

Scope And Sequence Of Social-Emotional Learning Curricula For Preschool And Kindergarten Practitioners Based On Core Competencies, Jenessa Rothmeier

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Before students are ready to learn the academic components of kindergarten, they need to be “ready to learn” first with the social-emotional skills to follow directions, sit quietly, problem-solve, self-regulate, and organize themselves and materials. Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines social-emotional learning (SEL) as “the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” Social-emotional learning (SEL) is based on …

Paraprofessionals In The School Setting: A Literature Review, Tyelyn Pearson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Teachers and paraprofessionals are partners in education, working together to provide the best educational experience possible for each child. Biggs et al. state “fostering and maintaining strong collaborative relationships are critically important for paraprofessionals and special education teachers working together to provide a high-quality education for students with severe disabilities” (2016, p. 152). It is crucial that paraprofessionals are offered training and taught strategies and techniques to implement and support diverse students in the classroom (Patterson, 2016).

In the 1950’s, paraprofessionals were first added to the classroom as a way to provide teachers with more planning time and they performed …

Transition Guide And Supports For Families Of Adolescents With Disabilities, Chelsey S. Traut

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Often when individuals with disabilities transitioned out of high school, there were a variety of repeated questions that teachers and administrators seemed to constantly be answering each year. The first goal of the project was to answer those questions and potentially serve as a resource for teachers and other professionals to answer the questions parents/guardians were asking them. Another goal was that even if the information was different for their district it could at the very least guide professionals and families in the right direction to find answers and support. The literature review provides information about parent/guardian and teacher collaboration …

Teacher Burnout: What An Educator Needs To Know., Evelyn Blum

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Teacher burnout is the cause of the distraction of the teacher's well-being in the workforce. The teacher needs to be addressed since it profoundly affects society as it affects the teacher workforce, the students, and schools in general. The teacher's self-worth and self-efficacy also contribute to teacher burnout; the higher the self-worth feelings in teachers, the lower the rate of teacher burnout while low self-esteem is associated with increased levels of teacher burnout. The teachers' well-being contributes to reduced levels of teacher burnout and promotes teacher retention. Teacher burnout has significant implications, and high attrition levels have been linked with …

The Role Of Family Members Or Caregivers And Their Involvement In A Loved One’S Usage Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication In The Preschool Setting From The Perspective Of An Slp, Megan Hintz

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can be used by an individual to supplement or support communication modalities when there is difficulty with verbal communication. ASHA, n.d.a delves further into the true meaning of AAC and defines the terminology of augmentative as adding to a person’s spoken language and alternative as other methods used to produce verbal communication. The purpose of this research study was to explore the perceptions of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) concerning the involvement and/or role of caregivers or family members when their loved one is utilizing an AAC device for communication across the preschool setting. Four semi-structured interviews …

Preparing Paraprofessionals To Be Effective In Physical Education, Chelsey Lieffring

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Students with autism often struggle in their physical education class due to the complex needs that arise in a gymnasium. When the TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children) program is implemented, students are engaged with their peers and are able to be successful in a challenging environment through visual schedules, physical structure, and task organization. It’s important that paraprofessionals and physical education teachers are aware of this programming in order to decrease challenging behaviors and increase student success in the physical education setting.

Paraprofessionals are such a vital part of the special education team. They are …

Parenting Isn't Easy: Parent Newsletters For Social/Emotional Learning In Early Childhood, Lauryn Meyer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Most educators know that it is very important to a child’s overall success to be supported socially and emotionally, especially in Early Childhood. We understand that children do not just act out the way they do because they feel like misbehaving. The challenging behavior is usually the cause of some other sort of reaction the child might not know how to explain or verbalize, for example: feeling tired, hungry, or uncomfortable in a certain situation.

In Early Childhood, educators work closely with parents and caregivers in order to continue the same level of learning at home as well. As …

Autism: A Teacher's Guide, Kaitlyn Schaps

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Studies have shown that many educators are not prepared to teach children with ASD in their classrooms, as they may not be familiar with the characteristics of these children (Jiar Yeo & Teng, 2020) and do not have the knowledge needed to help them succeed.

In this guide, we discuss the different characteristics of ASD, how they affect a child’s education, how to collaborate with families, and research and evidence based (proven to be effective through research and quality studies) intervention strategies that will assist general education teachers, paraprofessionals, special education teachers, and any other professional in the educational field …

The Effectiveness Of Practicums On Preservice Physical Educators’ Attitudes And Self-Efficacy Toward Teaching Individuals With Disabilities., Megan E. Johnson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The aim of this study was to explain the effects a practicum had on the attitudes and perceived self-efficacy of preservice physical educators toward teaching students with disabilities in an inclusive learning environment. Existing literature established most physical educators receive one semester-long course in adapted physical education (APE), which often leads to feelings of unpreparedness and negative attitudes toward teaching students with disabilities in the general physical education (GenPE) classroom. The present study utilized a mixed-methods approach to combine quantitative data results from the Physical Educators Attitudes toward Teaching Individuals with Disabilities (PEATID-III) survey (Rizzo, 1993) and qualitative data findings …

Transition: Early Intervention To Preschool, Kim Thiesse

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) requires all Individualized Family Service (IFSP) plans to address transition. Early Intervention programs must initiate and discuss the transition process from early intervention to school-based services with each family at least 90 days before the child’s third birthday. Transition should be a process of information sharing and planning for each individual family. The transition process can be very stressful for many families because services, service providers, location, and delivery of services change. Preschool is often a family’s first experience with a school environment, successful collaboration and communication through the transition phase enhances the …

Self-Advocacy Perceptions Of Special Education Students In The General Education Setting, Ann Anderson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Self-advocacy is an important skill that all students should learn. It plays a vital role in many aspects of life at home, in school, in the community, and at work. This is especially important for special education students who have more challenges than their peers. It begins by improving communication with teachers, giving students the confidence to voice their needs, and acquiring appropriate modifications and accommodations that allow them to show their true abilities and reach their full academic potential. Students that are able to self-advocate are more likely to be more successful in school as well as later on …

Collaborative Teaching And Data Collection In The Inclusive Classroom: Utilizing The Activity Matrix, Jamie L. Cota

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Educators first began to focus on the impact of inclusive teaching practices with the passing of the Education for All Handicap Children Act 1975 law (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Inclusive practices have come a long way, but can still vary from district to district. It is easy to claim to have an inclusive classroom, but it takes collaboration, communication, shared responsibility and shared data collection to truly include students of all learning abilities in the classroom. The focus of this project is to show how teams can work together to support an …