Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

The Effect Of Vision Training On Academic Readiness In A Sample Of Severely Handicapped Students, Prindle A. Vaux

Theses Digitization Project

The specific purpose of this project is to determine if a relationship exists between certain vision training techniques and improved academic readiness skills in a group of severely handicapped students. These readiness skills will be assessed using two sets of materials which significantly correlate visual memory and visual association with measures of academic achievement.

Perceptions Of Parents, Teachers, And Administrators Of The Learning Disability Programs Of The Macon, Moweaqua, And Warrensburg-Latham School Districts, Carl R. Hall

Masters Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of the learning disability resource services, the model used to deliver services in Macon, Moweaqua, and Warrensburg-Latham School Districts, from the parents’, regular teachers’, resource learning disability teachers’, and administrators’ perspectives.

Assessing the perspectives currently held of the resource services by regular teachers, parents, resource learning disability teachers, and administrators served as an initial step in planning for future program needs and may help in establishing future goals for learning disability students. Discrepancies in the perceptions of these four groups may represent communication problems and identify areas …

The Effects Of Language Processing Strategies Upon Reading Comprehension, Kathy Ann Kirby

Masters Theses

In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed providing educational services for children with exceptionalities. Learning disabilities was one of those exceptionalities whose definition used a language disorder as its major criteria for the identification and classification of a specific learning disabilities. The inclusion of language disorders within its definition brought about greater interest in language and the understanding of language development, acquisition and processing and how these aspects related with academic learning, particularly with reading.

The purpose of this study was to address the issue of language processing strategies in the remediating of language deficits and …

A Study Of Olga Smyth, Director, High Valley School: 1934 Graduate Of Bank Street, Deborah Stone

Graduate Student Independent Studies

A study is made of the educator Olga Smyth, 1934 graduate of Bank Street. Examins her particular style of working with children, and what it is based on in her history, education, and personality. The continuity of her work and the consistency of her approach is shown, from her days at Bank Street through the making of "Incitement to Reading" (film by L. J. Stone showing her teaching first graders at the Poughkeepsie Day School in the 1950's) to her work at her own school with children whose emotional and learning problems make it impossible for them to succeed in …

The Effect Of Applying The Cognitive Dissonance Theory On Improving Pre-Service Teachers' Attitudes Toward Individuals Labelled Exceptional, Kelly Randick

Masters Theses

This thesis study developed from an interest in and an awareness of the need to modify attitudes of pre-service teachers toward those who are labelled exceptional. The effects of negative attitudes toward those labelled exceptional have been repeatedly reported in the literature. Negative attitudes toward those labelled exceptional are reported to have resulted in differential treatment toward and lowered self concepts/esteems of those with disabilities. There had been an inclination for individuals without disabilities to place emphasis on the differences between people with disabilities and those without. These differences were reported to have negative connotations. The central purpose of this …

Levels Of Development In The Language Of Deaf Children: Asl Grammatical Processes, Signed English Structures, Semantic Features, Sue Livingston

Publications and Research

This study describes the spontaneous sign language of six deaf children (6 to 16 years old) of hearing parents, who were exposed to Signed English when after the age of six they first attended a school for the deaf. Samples of their language taken at three times over a 15-month period were searched for processes and structures representative or not representative of Signed English. The nature of their developing semantics was described as the systematic acquisition of features of meaning in signs from selected lexical categories (kinship terms, negation, time expression, wh-questions, descriptive terms, and prepositions/conjunctions).

Processes not representative of …

Curriculum Outline – Health Education Handicapped, Grades 7-12 Woodside School, Elaine A. Elliott

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of the project was to develop a curriculum in the area of Health that would meet the specialized needs of the Woodside School population.

A Comparison Of Teacher Time Spent With Students Who Have Learning Disabilities And Students Who Do Not Have Learning Disabilities At The Secondary Level In The Mainstreamed Setting, Dottye Hogue

Masters Theses

Since legislation has been enacted to insure the educational rights of handicapped students in the least restrictive environment, teachers and administrators are concerned with the placement of the students with learning disabilities in the regular classrooms.

Secondary teachers who do not have a background in special education find it difficult to accept students with learning disabilities into their regular classrooms. Many of these teachers feel they will have to spend a disproportionate amount of time with this particular type of student, thus taking much needed time away from students who are not handicapped. The purpose of this study was to …

The Development Of A Special Education Handbook For Community Unit School District No. 20, Lawrenceville, Illinois 62739, Mary M. Shaffer

Masters Theses

The obligation to provide a free appropriate education to all children regardless of their physical or mental capabilities resides with those officials responsible for administering the education program. This study was done to write a special education handbook for parents of handicapped children. The handbook will be used to inform parents about special education programs and explain how parents can be involved in the educational process. There is a definite need for an introduction process for parents. Previously in Unit District No. 20, information was mailed to parents or sent home by the child. The handbook will provide a tool …

The Experience Of Learning Disability: A Qualitative Time Series Study., Jimmy D. Lindsey

Research, Publications & Creative Work

A time series study of 60 individuals (elementary through postsecondary levels) who had been labeled learning disabled in the public schools revealed their likes (such as sports and field trips) as well as dislikes (formal learning). They specified what could have made a difference in their learning experiences. (CL)

A Developmental Curriculum For Multiply Handicapped Preschool Children In The Areas Of Visual Motor, Fine Motor, And Sensory Skills, Denise Ghislaine Wentz Page

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to design a developmental curriculum of activities for nonambulatory-multiply handicapped preschoolers, ages birth to 5 years. Visual motor, fine motor, and sensory skills were the areas specifically designed for the curriculum. A review of literature was conducted, investigating current information of curriculum for preschool nonambulatory-multiply handicapped children. Samples of curriclum from a variety of preschool project models were examined. A compilation of data resulted in a preschool curriculum for nonambulatory-multiply handicapped children.

A Service Delivery Model For A Handicapped Preschool In A Rural Area, Karen Louise Holenbeck

All Graduate Projects

A preschool model for 3-5 year old rural handicapped children is based on developmental skills in the areas of receptive and expressive language acquisition, fine and gross motor movement and beginning cognitive skills. Also included, to facilitate the establishment of a new rural preschool is a list of materials needed to begin the program and a list of free and low cost legal, medical, and assessment services. The need for rural preschool programs is discussed as well as reasons for growth of preschool in Washington state.

Washington Special Education Funding Formula, Sharon L. Jenft

Master of Education Graduate Projects

Financial implications of the current Washington Special Education Funding Formula for the 1980-81 school year were studied. Financial data for 229 school districts which provided education for handicapped children was collected for the study. The results showed that the majority of school districts which provide education for handicapped children did not receive funding equal to expenditures for education programs for the 1980-81 school year. Recommendations for increasing Washington's funding for handicapped education programs are discussed.

An Instructional Packet Of Teacher Activities Designed To Teach Elementary Students K-3 About Exceptional Children, Lori J. Hanson

All Graduate Projects

The need for and delivery of programs in our public schools to educate elementary students K-3 about Exceptional children was studied. An Instructional packet of ideas, resources, and activities was presented that could be used in an elementary classroom K-3, to help children overcome negative attitudes toward the handicapped and to recognize the rights of the handicapped individual to pursue a normal life.

Legal Obligations Toward The Post-Secondary Learning Disabled Student, Robert H. Abrams, Helene Ginsberg Abrams

Journal Publications

This article will deal with the legal obligation of institutions of higher learning to provide appropriate services to their learning disabled students.

Pl 94-142 In Easy Steps For Parents, Madelyn E. Zimmerman

All Graduate Projects

State and federal education of the handicapped legislation provides numerous safeguards to ensure appropriate educational opportunity. Parents are expected to be active participants. Schools are obligated to inform parents of their responsibilities, rights and procedures to be followed. The disclosure is lengthy and complicated. To simplify this process five brochures were prepared each to deal with a discrete step or process. The brochures are to be distributed at appropriate times and in conjunction with the full disclosure required by law.

A Descriptive Research Study Of The Pilot Learning Adjustment Classes I And Ii Including A Summary Of Related Research On Compensatory Education, Melodye Maye Williams

Masters Theses

Statement Of The Problem

There were two sets of problems which were of focal interest: (1) Did the achievement levels of the students selected come up a significant degree? (The administration wished a month's gain for a month's instruction.) (2) Did the children's personality and behavior characteristics change for the better?

Procedure

The design used was a one-group pretest-posttest design. Achievement, behavior, and personality traits were measured on the original sixteen children and in remaining ten who were still in the classes after two years.

Conclusions

As stated previously, the primary purposes of this descriptive research study were: (1) Did …

A Guide For Mainstreaming The Emotionally Disturbed Child Into The Regular Classroom, Rosemary Clifton

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The emotionally disturbed child has a definite place in the normal classroom setting. It is the purpose of this project to help the classroom teacher determine the place in the classroom for the disturbed child and to help the child to learn effectively. This learning should include not only the academic areas, but also the mental or emotional areas. This project will attempt to present proven strategies to aid in this learning situation.

Studies Of Handicapped Students: Volume Ii: Teacher Identification Of Handicapped Pupils (Ages 6-11) Compared With Identification Using Other Indicators, Patricia Craig, David Kaskowitz, Mary Malgoire

Faculty Publications

Presented is a two-volume study of the characteristics of students identified as handicapped from educational, clinical, and psychological evaluations. The first volume describes an analysis (based on surveys collected by the National Center for Health Statistics) of the affects on identification of 14,185 6- to 17-year old students of family income, race, population size of place of residence, and geographic location. Among six primary findings reviewed are that all three types of teacher-identified handicaps (physical, mental, and speech) were significantly concentrated in the low income elementary school population, and that teachers identified both mental and speech handicaps at a significantly …

A Pilot Study Of A Sex Education Program In A Sheltered Workshop Using A Cognitive-Behavioral Model Based On Rational Emotive Therapy, Jacqueline A. Rieck, Thomas E. Frederick

Masters Theses

This pilot study was developed to teach people with mental retardation about their own sexuality, appropriate community behaviors, and to develop within them a basic sense of responsibility for their own actions. Problems in social/sexual behaviors have been consistently quoted as reasons for high recidivism rates, as well as difficulties in community living, vocational placement, and other generalized stereotypes about mental retardation. Often the public remains uninformed about, does not recognize, and/or feels that sexual rights for people with any mental differences should not exist. Additionally, when any form of sexuality was expressed by such people it resulted in shock …

Street Survival Skills Questionnaire: The Design And Investigation Of A Measure Of Adaptive Behavior For The Mentally Retarded, Danny D. Linkenhoker

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study involved the design and investigation of a measure of adaptive behavior (Street Survival Skills Questionnaire) for the mentally retarded. Following a careful review of existing measures of adaptive behavior, a comprehensive review of research relating to prediction of independent living, and interviews with rehabilitation staff, a group of nine areas were targeted for inclusion in the instrument. These areas included Basic Concepts, Functional Signs, Measurement, Monetary, Time, Public Services, Safety and Personal Health, Domestic Management, and Implements and Tools. Items were then generated for each area in a multiple-choice, pictorial format that required a minimum of reading and …

An Analysis Of The Optimum Learning In Regular Classrooms Project In Charleston, Illinois, Patricia Tucker Chaney

Masters Theses

The Optimum Learning in Regular Classrooms Project is an adoptive-adaptive ESEA Title IV-C project with two purposes: (1) to provide more effective educational service to children with special needs through training the mainstream teacher to diagnose these special needs as well as implement solutions for such children on an ongoing basis, and (2) to provide more efficient support services to the mainstream teacher in his/her efforts to meet the special needs of exceptional children, whether handicapped or gifted.

Four main aspects of the project are examined:

Classroom organization. All classrooms were organized at least in part into learning centers. This …

Studies Of Handicapped Students: Volume 1: Whom Do Teachers Identify As Handicapped, Patricia Craig, Norman Mceachron

Faculty Publications

This volume reports the first of two studies conducted by the Educa­tional Policy Research Center (EPRC) of SRI for the Assistant Secretary for Education (ASE) on the handicapped school population. The volume presents data on patterns of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of teacher-identified handicapped students. The purpose of the analysis was to determine whether significant differences in rates of identification of handicapping conditions are associated with family income, race, popula­tion size of place of residence, or geographic location. This study briefly reviews past studies; explores a new set of data to determine its usefulness in determining characteristics of the teacher-identified …

The Integration Of Affective And Cognitive Concerns In Educational Programs, Elaine Avidon

Graduate Student Independent Studies

The social and political confrontations of the 1960's forced public school educators to reassess many of their values. Among the crucial issues which resurfaced as a result of this reassess­ment was the basic question of why some students were learning while others were not. This independent project addresses itself to that question. In particular, it presents one approach .which, when used responsibly, can alter the patterns of non-· learning that exist for so many young people attending schools today.

The integration of affective and cognitive concerns has been written about by many educators. It is also the topic of this …

The Development And Analysis Of Base Line Data For The Estimation Of Incidence In The Handicapped School Age Population, Patricia Craig, Norman Mceachron

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was, first, to examine and critique the more popular incidence sources for handicapping conditions in the school age population, and second, to establish reasonably reliable base line data on which the future analysis of special population groups can be grounded. On the basis of this study, we suggest that the National Center of Health Statistics estimates become the primary source for further analysis due to both their reliability and comparability. It is questionable whether these figures could be refined further by conducting an independent national survey of school children. Data reliability is important, since even …

An Assessment-Diagnostic Center For Pre-School Public School Handicapped Children In Illinois: The Rend Lake Project, John Powell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Literature Curriculum For Economically Disadvantaged Third-Graders Who Are Non-Readers, Sally Pike

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop a literature curriculum for third graders at Callahan Elementary School who are non-readers of "economically disadvantaged" backgrounds.

A Multi-Sensory Approach To Teaching Spelling To Learning Disabled Children, Judith M. Meuleman

Master's Theses

Problem

Learning disabled children are receiving increasing attention, for despite an intelligence quotient within the normal range, they are not achieving in school as well as their peers. The reasons offered for this phenomenon seem to relate to perceptual problems. Specific learning disabilities occur in reading, arithmetic, spelling, handwriting and other motor coordination areas. This study investigates the effect of a multi-sensory method of teaching spelling to learning disabled children using sandpaper letters to utilize the tactile and kinesthetic sensory modalities.

Method

Unfamiliar spelling words were taught to 40 learning disabled children, 38 boys and 2 girls. The children were …

The Social Status Of Special Class Emr Adolescents Assigned Part-Time To Public School Regular Classes, Margaret E. Carter

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

A Study Of The Retarded In Relation To Their Ability To Perceive And Acquire Knowledge Of The Basic Elements Of Art, Tony J. Taylor

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.