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Articles 1 - 30 of 36
Full-Text Articles in Disability and Equity in Education
Prematurity And Special Education: Raising Awareness Of The Connections Between Preterm Births And Special Education, Nadia R. Corder
Prematurity And Special Education: Raising Awareness Of The Connections Between Preterm Births And Special Education, Nadia R. Corder
Honors Theses
In this thesis, the goal was to find the link, if any, between prematurity and special education, with regards to probability of special education and outcomes, and to create a means of professional development for not only special education teachers about prematurity risks and effects on students but also parental education about the possible procedures of their child’s education. This is accomplished through the organization of infographic pamphlets for parents and an online professional development presentation. Both these formats are compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility parameters. A literature review was conducted to achieve this goal using …
Belonging, Participation, And Student Success: Evaluating The Academic Impact Of The Biology Mentor Program At The University Of Mississippi, Cole B. Davidson
Belonging, Participation, And Student Success: Evaluating The Academic Impact Of The Biology Mentor Program At The University Of Mississippi, Cole B. Davidson
Honors Theses
This thesis examines whether students’ sense of belonging within the biology department and their participation in the University of Mississippi Biology Mentor Program are associated with success in introductory biology. The project used de-identified departmental survey data and program records collected across multiple semesters in the broader archive from fall 2020 through spring 2025. For the final analyses, course outcome records, mentor attendance records, and survey based belonging records were merged by student code and semester. After removing nonbinary outcome labels and retaining cases with usable belonging data, the analytic sample included 4,299 student-semester records. The primary outcome was a …
Prematurity And Special Education: Raising Awareness Of The Connections Between Preterm Births And Special Education, Nadia R. Corder
Prematurity And Special Education: Raising Awareness Of The Connections Between Preterm Births And Special Education, Nadia R. Corder
Honors Theses
In this thesis, the goal was to find the link, if any, between prematurity and special education, with regards to probability of special education and outcomes, and to create a means of professional development for not only special education teachers about prematurity risks and effects on students but also parental education about the possible procedures of their child’s education. This is accomplished through the organization of infographic pamphlets for parents and an online professional development presentation. Both these formats are compliant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility parameters. A literature review was conducted to achieve this goal using …
Ready: Piloting An Inclusive Higher Education Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At The University Of Mississippi, Emily R. Davis
Honors Theses
The University of Mississippi is currently one of the few SEC schools that does not offer an inclusive higher education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs). An initiative to bring inclusive higher education to Ole Miss began as a passion project led by Honors College student Bailey Beaird and continued through 2024. Bailey worked diligently to research and design a model for implementing a four-year inclusive higher education program (IHEP). Ultimately, the decision was made by the administration to postpone advancement of a four-year program due to limited campus resources and concerns surrounding long-term sustainability. Instead, the …
A.I. And Education: The Relationship Between Policy And A.I. Implementation In Louisiana K-12 Schools, Johnny R. Moore Jr
A.I. And Education: The Relationship Between Policy And A.I. Implementation In Louisiana K-12 Schools, Johnny R. Moore Jr
Honors Theses
This research focuses on A.I. policies in Louisiana K-12 education, trying to figure out what the best possible policies would be to ensure that students are using A.I. as a tool rather than a crutch to rely on. This goes through the history and background of technology implementation and educational policies in Louisiana. The research focuses on current A.I. policies in the state, if any, and then evaluates other states policies around the country. Teachers and administrators from around the state were surveyed on this and were also asked on their opinions on A.I. in the classroom.
Self-Determination, Campus Involvement, And Disability Awareness Of Young Adults With Intellectual Disability, Zoe Bloecher
Self-Determination, Campus Involvement, And Disability Awareness Of Young Adults With Intellectual Disability, Zoe Bloecher
Honors Theses
This quantitative and qualitative study examined self-esteem; self-efficacy; self-determination; and disability awareness at the beginning and end of the semester in a sample of young adults with intellectual disability enrolled in a post-secondary education program. Participants’ weekly campus engagement in extracurricular activities during the semester was also tracked. The first goal of this study was to observe changes in self-determination satisfaction and frustration, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and disability awareness after one semester of enrollment in the program. There were 16 participants in the study who varied in their length of participation in the program. Dependent t-tests revealed a statistically significant decrease …
Cultivating Success: The Role Of Self-Determination In Autonomy For Post-Secondary Students With Disabilities, Cloè Knight
Cultivating Success: The Role Of Self-Determination In Autonomy For Post-Secondary Students With Disabilities, Cloè Knight
Honors Theses
Self-determination is a crucial theoretical framework influencing the post-secondary success and the quality of life for students with disabilities (SWD). A case study mixed-method design was used to investigate the lived experiences of students with disabilities and how their self-determination skills shaped by parent styles and teacher practices, impacted their success in the post-secondary world. Despite the well-researched benefits of self-determination in the lives of students with disabilities, a systematic literature review revealed important gaps in research related to the roles parents and teachers play in facilitating self-determination skills impacting post-secondary success in students with disabilities. The current study sought …
Perceptions Of Mississippi Parents Of Youth And Young Adults With Autism Regarding Relationship Training And Sex Education, Peter Mccormick
Perceptions Of Mississippi Parents Of Youth And Young Adults With Autism Regarding Relationship Training And Sex Education, Peter Mccormick
Honors Theses
This study used analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if there was a significant difference between the age of a parent with a youth or young adult with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and the age of their child when they plan to discuss the three sex education and relationship training topics of sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, and contraception. The results of the ANOVA were not significant for the sex education and relationship topics of sexual intercourse F (2, 22) = 1.485, p = 0.248 and contraception F (2,22) = 3.059, p = 0.0667. However, the results of the ANOVA …
‘Maybe It's What We've Been Doing?’: Exploring Mtss For Emergent Bilingual Students With Disabilities, Crystal Nunez
‘Maybe It's What We've Been Doing?’: Exploring Mtss For Emergent Bilingual Students With Disabilities, Crystal Nunez
Honors Theses
This qualitative study investigated the interpretation and implementation of Multi-Tiered System
of Supports (MTSS) as it related to emergent bilingual students with disabilities in one of the
largest suburban school districts in Upstate New York. The purpose of this study was to explore
the needs, experiences, beliefs, and practices (individual and collaborative) of teachers who
support a growing population of emergent bilingual students with and without disabilities and their
families in an increasingly diverse suburban community. The goal of this study is to inform best
practices as well as new directions in research, policy, and educators’ continued and supportive
professional …
Sensory Awareness In Architectural Design And Construction: A Guide To Inclusion And Hospitality For All, Morgan Harwell
Sensory Awareness In Architectural Design And Construction: A Guide To Inclusion And Hospitality For All, Morgan Harwell
Honors Theses
Modern approaches to architectural design and construction have gravitated toward elegance, glossiness, and over exaggeration of a bright environment through materials such as marble, glass, white paint, and fluorescent lighting. While these choices can be alluring, their impact on individuals with disabilities and sensory processing disorders is typically dismissed. This study explores the intersection of architectural elements — such as lighting, noise, scent, and spatial organization — and sensory overload in disabled individuals. Through a detailed literature review, education of architectural principles, and incorporation of building techniques, this study proposes a computer-generated three-dimensional model of a shopping center. The primary …
K-12 Special Education In The South: Where Are We And Where Should We Be Going?, Jack G. Walker
K-12 Special Education In The South: Where Are We And Where Should We Be Going?, Jack G. Walker
Honors Theses
Throughout the past century, special education has undergone significant transformation and increasing accessibility to those who need it. However, persistent challenges remain. Some of these challenges include but are not limited to teachers still challenged with job stress and paperwork overload, schools faced with lack of funding for the program, and the lack of importance seen by administration on close relationships with parents of said students. These problems can affect all involved and especially the students who deserve the best education experience they can receive. The purpose of this thesis is to look into what has gotten policymakers to where …
Empowering Mississippi Schools: Training Staff And Students For Effective Integration Of Service Animals In K-6 Education., Micah C. Brouillette
Empowering Mississippi Schools: Training Staff And Students For Effective Integration Of Service Animals In K-6 Education., Micah C. Brouillette
Honors Theses
The purpose of this capstone is to explore the role of service animals in schools and to develop foundational training modules for educators and school staff. The presence of service animals in educational settings is a growing reality, yet many schools lack clear policies and staff training on how to effectively integrate them. This capstone reviews the legal protections surrounding service animals, including federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as well as Mississippi-specific regulations. It examines the benefits of service animals for students with disabilities, including their impact …
Understanding Perspectives Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Central Maine, Bridget B. Meehan
Understanding Perspectives Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Central Maine, Bridget B. Meehan
Honors Theses
The present study investigates perspectives of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Rural Central Maine and the support measures needed to optimize students’ inclusive education experiences. The research examines views of three primary stakeholders: parents/guardians, teachers (general education and special education), and clinicians. By utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model, I explore the complexity of inclusive education by analyzing how macrosystem beliefs (operationalized through logics) and mesosystem interactions across microsystems influence the educational experience for students with ASD (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Part one of the research consists of a systematic literature review for each stakeholder, incorporating 45 sources across three prominent education databases. …
Pre-Service Teacher Preparation In Over-/Underrepresentation Of Students From Culturally Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds In Special Education: A Systematic Review Of State-Level Policies, Enos Yushu Liu
Honors Theses
Students from culturally linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds require equitable access to special education services to support success in school. Overrepresentation and underrepresentation of students from CLD backgrounds are two issues that policymakers and school leaders need to address, and having teachers knowledgeable in these issues is essential. To determine if pre-service teachers are being trained in understanding over-/ underrepresentation issues, researchers conducted a systematic review of state-level teacher competency policies. Pre-service teacher competencies were coded for the presence of nine key elements related to culturally responsive special education identification practices. The results show that relatively few states require comprehensive pre-service …
Are We Ready: Envisioning An Inclusive Higher Education Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At The University Of Mississippi, Bailey Beaird
Honors Theses
An inclusive higher education program (IHEP) exists for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) to foster academic success, employment equipping, interpersonal skill development, and active participation and value validation in the community. Establishing an IHEP can benefit current university students, faculty, and staff, and individuals with I/DDs and their families to create a more informed, inclusive environment. The University of Mississippi (UM) does not currently have an IHEP. Therefore, my advocacy initiative seeks to provide an opportunity for individuals with I/DDs to receive a college education and experience at UM. For two and a half years, I independently researched …
Two Districts, Five Miles Apart: A Comparative Analysis Of The Lauderdale County And The Meridian Public School Districts, Daneel Konnar
Two Districts, Five Miles Apart: A Comparative Analysis Of The Lauderdale County And The Meridian Public School Districts, Daneel Konnar
Honors Theses
K-12 public education in Mississippi has sparked much conversation and debate regarding the factors and forces that influence school performance on test scores, teacher pay and salaries, infrastructure, and student performance. Mississippi’s children deserve the best quality education and opportunities to grow into the best version of themselves. However, school districts across Mississippi within the same county are facing many disparities. The purpose of this study is to examine the disparities between the Meridian Public School District and Lauderdale County School District in Meridian. I interviewed seven school officials to gain perspective on the differences between the two school districts. …
Music Education Within An Autism Support Classroom: Building Community And Educational Skills, Emma Lamberti
Music Education Within An Autism Support Classroom: Building Community And Educational Skills, Emma Lamberti
Honors Theses
The purpose of this action research study was to explore how music education might provide a sense of community, develop educational skills, and discuss general best practices for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a middle school autism support classroom. To examine community, educational skills, and best practices, this study completed two cycles of action research. The curriculum in Cycle 1 consisted of typical music lessons for a general music classroom. Interviews with teachers and students, video observations, and researcher reflections after each lesson were used to inform the development of Cycle 2. Cycle 2 retained the overall …
Understanding Para-Athlete Inclusion In Post-Secondary Athletics, Rayven J. Sample
Understanding Para-Athlete Inclusion In Post-Secondary Athletics, Rayven J. Sample
Honors Theses
This qualitative study utilized thematic analysis of six interviews with elite Para-athletes who were currently enrolled at a four-year undergraduate institution and were actively competing or training in any Para-sport to understand inclusion of Para-athletes within the NCAA. This investigatory research sought to identify barriers present in the NCAA’s structure and advocate for positive change as more Para-athletes desire to access collegiate athletic resources due to increasingly higher standards of performance within Para-sport. Para-athletes discussed five key themes during interviews; “Disability Mindset” or the way athletes conceptualized their presence within the athletic environment; sources of education available to athletics staff …
Perceptions Regarding Service/Volunteerism In Postsecondary Education With Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Coraliz Martinez
Perceptions Regarding Service/Volunteerism In Postsecondary Education With Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Coraliz Martinez
Honors Theses
The purpose of this study is to analyze the perceptions postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities have on the topic of service learning and volunteerism. The goal is to analyze college programs in the Southeast portion of the United States to determine if this topic is incorporated into their curriculum and analyze their perception of the topic. Twenty-six staff members from different postsecondary education programs completed a questionnaire that analyzed their program as a whole. The data indicates that the programs that incorporate service/volunteerism within their program prioritize service/volunteerism and state it has made a positive impact on …
Kindness Without Barriers: An Investigation Of The Benefits Of Social Organizations For Students With Disabilities, Abby Newton
Kindness Without Barriers: An Investigation Of The Benefits Of Social Organizations For Students With Disabilities, Abby Newton
Honors Theses
While legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) has made monumental progress in education for individuals with disabilities, there is still an evident need for increased accessibility and equity of opportunity within the K-12 environment. IDEA guarantees students with disabilities will receive a Free Appropriate Public Education, but this law does not include discussion on the evolving barriers to social participation students with disabilities often face, and sequentially, the impact this has on one’s learning environment. This report will examine the benefits of extracurricular activities for …
Teacher Preparedness For Integrating Dyslexia Interventions In The General Education Classroom, Eleanor Perkins
Teacher Preparedness For Integrating Dyslexia Interventions In The General Education Classroom, Eleanor Perkins
Honors Theses
This thesis features a review of the body of literature surrounding teacher knowledge dyslexia and its interventions. Several studies show teachers (both preservice and inservice) do not have a strong understanding of neither the learning disability nor effective interventions for dyslexia. Students with dyslexia benefit from explicit and systematic teaching. The following lesson plans demonstrate how to lead both large- and small-groups using dyslexia-centered strategies as a general education teacher. The ten-day unit and accompanying intervention plans are designed to specifically accommodate the needs of students with dyslexia, though even students without dyslexia are known to benefit from systematic and …
Self-Efficacy Development In Elementary-Aged Learners Through Dance As An Algorithmic Thinking Tool, Niva Shrestha
Self-Efficacy Development In Elementary-Aged Learners Through Dance As An Algorithmic Thinking Tool, Niva Shrestha
Honors Theses
The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a transdisciplinary approach in teaching computational thinking through dance to elementary-aged learners, with primary attention to females. With limited literature available on how pre-adolescents begin to construct conceptions of computer science and other engineering domains, including potential career pathways, the incentive of this project was to leverage a day camp for about 20 rising 3rd - 5th-grade learners to assess their identity development in computer science. Modules that teach computational thinking through dance paired with Unruly splats (block-based programmable electronic gadgets) were implemented. By conducting pre-and post-surveys and a …
Cultivating Family Empowerment In Schools: The Experiences Of Marginalized Families In Special Education, Rachel-Marie F. Sinco
Cultivating Family Empowerment In Schools: The Experiences Of Marginalized Families In Special Education, Rachel-Marie F. Sinco
Honors Theses
The provision of special education services to special needs students is largely upheld by federal and state policies and regulations, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) which ensures that children with disabilities have the opportunity to access a free appropriate public education (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004). However, marginalized families of low-income and linguistically diverse backgrounds continue to face barriers and challenges to effectively participate in their child’s education and secure the necessary and appropriate services for their child. Family Empowerment Centers on Disability (FECs) in California provide a policy solution to assist families navigate …
The Correlation Between Student Self-Advocacy And Postsecondary Success, Kaleigh Tarabek
The Correlation Between Student Self-Advocacy And Postsecondary Success, Kaleigh Tarabek
Honors Theses
This project incorporated ideas of a previous study that examined the effects of self-advocacy and conflict resolution training modules on the ability of four high school seniors with mild disabilities to ask for their accommodations (Holzberg, et al.,. 2019). The survey I will be using: Self-Determination/Self-Advocacy Checklist, from the transition planning inventory, will be used for the pre and post assessment in order to measure the increase from student indicated don’t knows to yes. I will be compiling student data using student surveys. I will reflect and analyze survey responses as my sample size and student demographics will be different. …
Using Creative Writing And Literacy To Dismantle The School To Prison Pipeline, Tyler N. Gross
Using Creative Writing And Literacy To Dismantle The School To Prison Pipeline, Tyler N. Gross
Honors Theses
The primary purpose of this research was to elevate the voices of minoritized girls of color (those with intersecting identities such as being Black, Brown and/or gender nonconforming, and/or having a disability) through creative writing and literacy, by engaging them in a process of inquiry that allowed them to creatively express themselves and to share their experiences within the school-to-prison pipeline. Using creative writing and a curriculum that the researcher created, the young women participating in various activities that helped them share their experiences and allowed them to think about countering the narrative about young girls of color and with …
Examining Construction And Reproduction Of The Educational Opportunity Gap: The Nation’S School Board Members Respond, Hallet Demouy
Examining Construction And Reproduction Of The Educational Opportunity Gap: The Nation’S School Board Members Respond, Hallet Demouy
Honors Theses
This thesis explores opportunity gaps, often related to achievement gaps, in education via the analysis of school board members’ responses regarding challenges that face future education, students, and the public school system. The perceptions of these school board members serve to address the sources, prevalence, and effects of inequities that exist in widening (perpetuating) this gap between students. After discussing and elaborating upon the perceived challenges and barriers located in the institution of education, school board member responses will again be used to present potential ways and opportunities through which the achievement gaps, relating to the success rates and testing …
How Does This Benefit Me?: A Case Study Of The Impact Of Long Term Circle Of Friends Participation, Casey Webb
How Does This Benefit Me?: A Case Study Of The Impact Of Long Term Circle Of Friends Participation, Casey Webb
Honors Theses
This thesis examines Circle of Friends and the impacts of long term participation (greater than 2 years) in the program. Participants were selected from a Circle of Friends group that met weekly from 2012-2017 in the lower Midwest. There were 5 white female participants ranging in ages of 21-22 at the time of the interviews. Participants completed interview questions focusing on friendship, the COF program, and the impacts it had on them. Interviews were then transcribed and coded. Many of the participants discussed what it means to be a friend, including the specific activities of friendship, such as eating meals …
Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports, Meredith George
Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports, Meredith George
Honors Theses
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the history, characteristics, and efficacy of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a substitution for traditional exclusionary discipline practices in response to negative and disruptive behavior in schools. Disruptive behavior is a significant concern for classroom teachers; effective solutions for minimizing disruptions are necessary to curb teacher burnout and improve attrition rates. PBIS relates to an implementation framework as opposed to a singular behavior program, therefore schools have a multitude of intervention options when adopting a PBIS approach to behavior. Three PBIS strategies (restorative circles, token economy, self-monitoring of performance) are …
Creating Dynamic Spaces: Exploring Student-Empowered Self-Expression Through Art, Meghan E. Charest
Creating Dynamic Spaces: Exploring Student-Empowered Self-Expression Through Art, Meghan E. Charest
Honors Theses
Research suggests that students living in rural areas may be more likely to face adversity and stress due to intersecting challenges present in their communities including poverty, substance abuse, addiction, poor health, reduced economic opportunity, and geographic isolation. I conducted an engaged scholarship project in partnership with students and staff at JES to explore ways that open-ended art activities that provide students with self-directed creative spaces can cultivate a student-centered environment built around strong relationships. This type of environment can mitigate the negative impacts of adverse childhood experiences potentially affecting rural Maine students and improve a culture of emotional wellness …
Exploring Self-Determination And Recreational Sports Participation For Adolescents With Disabilities, Samantha K. Papp
Exploring Self-Determination And Recreational Sports Participation For Adolescents With Disabilities, Samantha K. Papp
Honors Theses
Self-determination is a vital skill for individuals with disabilities and provides significant benefits, such as more positive adult outcomes and greater quality of life. Recreational sports participation is another fundamental aspect of life for individuals with disabilities, as it leads to increased physical activity, enhanced self-esteem, and improved peer acceptance. Despite the well-researched benefits of both self-determination skills and recreational sports participation, a literature review revealed few studies that examined the relationship between self-determination and recreational sports participation for individuals, particularly adolescents, with disabilities. This mixed methods study was designed to fill this void, using questionnaires, interviews, and observations to …