Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

An Analysis Of Individual Education Program Goals And Objectives For Preschool Handicapped Children And Their Relationship To Curriculum, Joann M. Mccormick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to formulate a system whereby Individual Education Plan goals and objectives can be written, and curriculum adapted, to meet the unique needs of the preschool handicapped child.

Research of current literature on preschool IEP's and curriculum was conducted before surveying preschool handicapped programs in the Gloucester County New Jersey area. Thirty-two survey instruments were mailed to twenty-one school districts. The surveys included questions in two areas; first, respondents were asked to report on teacher and program information such as teacher certification, experience, number of children in the program, and hours spent in the program; …

A Study On Effective Inclusion And Its Academic And Social Impacts On The Mildly Learning Disabled, Maria Naugle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis project was to determine the effectiveness of placing mildly learning disabled (LD) public elementary school students (grades three, four, and five) in a fully inclusive general education setting with necessary support services, specifically collaborative teaching. Students involved in the study were classified perceptually impaired in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:28, and placed in an in-class support (ICS) classroom, instructed by both a general education and special education teacher. Academic achievement data, as formally measured on the California Achievement Test (CAT 5) and functionally measured through teacher assigned report card grades, was analyzed. Social functioning (self-concept and …

A Comparison Of New Jersey Certification Requirements For Educational Diagnosticians With Six Other States, Elizabeth O'Neill

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the New Jersey certification requirements for educational diagnosticians with the requirements of six other states. Child Study Team compositions were also examined. The search was narrowed to six states when interviews with state licensing agencies and state universities did not yield comprehensive information. In order to obtain more in-depth information, the research was conducted via phone interviews with employees from counties within each of the six states. Information received was hand recorded. Raw data was converted to percentages. None of the other six states required additional certification for the educational diagnostician who determines eligibility for special education. …

An Analysis Of The Individual Education Plan For Preschool Handicapped Children And Its Relationship To Classroom Curriculum, Karlene E. Zimmerman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement an improved model for Individualized Education Plans which can be utilized in a preschool handicapped program. A questionnaire consisting of 12 questions pertaining to goals, objectives, curriculum and teaching strategies was distributed to twenty teachers of preschool handicapped children. Fifteen questionnaires were returned. Forty-six of the teachers stated that they felt a general satisfaction with the content of the IEPs especially when written by themselves. Dissatisfaction was expressed with the amount of time the Child Study Team spends visiting the PSH classroom. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the amount of …

A Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Reading Instruction In A Resource Center Pull-Out Program Versus A Regular Education Program, Barbara Groff

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a resource center pull-out program and a regular education program with in-class support as reading instruction placement options for students with learning disabilities.

A criterion-referenced reading inventory was administered to each subject in September to assess word recognition in isolation and reading comprehension. The assessment tool was readministered in March to obtain data in order to establish the gains made by each student.

Eighteen students participated in the study. The subjects are boys and girls between the ages of ten and twelve who attend adjacent school districts. All students …

Inclusion In The Elementary Specialty Areas: Art, Library, Music And Physical Education, Dawn Danley

Theses and Dissertations

In compliance with providing the least restrictive environment, children with varying degrees of disabilities are being included into the general education classroom. This study focused on facilitating the inclusion of children with moderate to severe special needs into the elementary specialty areas including library, music, art and physical education. This study was conducted in a school district in southern New Jersey using inter-office mailings.

Data was collected by providing a completed student profile and a sample needs assessment to teachers in each specialty area. The teachers completed the sample needs assessment based on their perceived knowledge regarding the child that …

An Assessment Of Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant Role Functions, Jacqueline Delisi D'Auria

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to survey currently employed Learning Disability Teacher Consultants in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties for an assessment of their current job priorities, as related to the five role responsibilities, as well as their perceived competencies within their role functions. Thirty-six questionnaires were mailed; a 66 percent return was obtained. Percentages were computed to determine the rank order of importance assigned to the role functions. A rank order of the list of competencies was determined for both the average ratings of importance and the average ratings of proficiency.

The LDT-C ranked the role responsibilities as …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Phonemic Awareness Instruction In A Multiply Handicapped Kindergarten Classroom, Janice A. Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an evaluation of the development of pre-reading skills in kindergarten children in a Multiply Handicapped program. Phonemic awareness activities from the Project ASSIST Kindergarten Curriculum were used to supplement traditional kindergarten instruction in the experimental group. Two kindergarten classrooms for children with Multiple Handicaps comprised the sample (N = 13). The control group had five students, while the experimental group had eight. Instruction in phonemic awareness was delivered to the experimental group for a period of approximately four months. A variety of multi-sensory activities were used daily in the classroom in addition to the kindergarten curriculum. The …

A Handbook Of Exemplary Training Activities To Improve Access And Success In Higher Education For Students With Learning Disabilities, Heidi M. Mcgarvey

Theses and Dissertations

The number of learning disabled students attending colleges and universities has increased dramatically in the last ten to fifteen years placing greater demands on college personnel to keep abreast of effective service models and educational interventions for this population.

This project attempted to develop an exemplary model to be used by campus disability service coordinators to provide information and technical assistance to members of the post-secondary and high school community in order to enhance educational opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities.

Information for the project was compiled, analyzed, and evaluated from current literature, professional and peer practices, and the writer's …

A Suggested Preschool Program For The Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District, Dawn Schollenberger

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to suggest a type of preschool curriculum that would be effective for the Woodstown-Pilesgrove School District. This was accomplished in various stages. First, library research was conducted at EIRC and the Rowan University Library to find recent literature on the various types of preschool curriculums. Then, because the needs of the community should be considered when designing a public preschool curriculum, an informal survey was designed to solicit the opinions of present and past kindergarten teachers in the Woodstown-Pilesgrove School District. The results of this narrative survey were used to design the major components …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Full Day Versus Half Day Kindergarten Programs, Deborah C. Gaw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the children in full day kindergarten programs made greater gains when compared to half day kindergarten programs as measured by an informal teacher made kindergarten screening test.

The subjects of this study were 81 kindergarten students (40 girls, 41 boys) from two elementary schools in southern New Jersey. Thirty-nine (39) students were enrolled in the full day program, and 42 were enrolled in the half day program. Both groups were pretested with a teacher made kindergarten screening test in the beginning of the school year (September/October) and then post tested in …

An Investigation Of Food Related Versus Socialization Deficits In A Group Of Prader-Willi Syndrome Adults, Janet T. Fioresi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of behavior incidents of adults in a group home setting who have been diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), to determine if the behaviors are more frequently related to food issues or socialization problems with peers and/or staff. It was hypothesized that documented behavior incidents were more frequently due to socialization problems.

The sample for this study consisted of eight adults medically diagnosed with PWS in a group home setting. All participants' Behavior Incident Forms (BIR's) were looked at throughout a two year period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, …

An Examination Of The Positive And Negative Effects Of Retention, Michelle M. Sabia

Theses and Dissertations

Each year many students are misplaced in grade levels and are unable to meet academic expectations. As a result, school administrators, teachers and parents are faced with finding a solution to these children's educational problems. Retention is one alternative that is often considered. Due to the frequency of this practice along with limited options, it is important to look at the academic effects of retention on students. Using teachers' report cards and standardized test results, the effects of retention were studied in six elementary school students. Using a combination of factors including literature reviews and the results of this study, …

Disability Rights Come To Pro Sports, Maine Campus

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

After digging itself a hole that seemed too deep to clime out of, the PGA was forced by a federal court Wednesday to allow a golfer with a leg disability to ride in a cart during tour events.

Hate Crimes Aren't 'Isolated' Incidents, Peg Cruikshank

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The recent statement by university administration officials that the anti-gay hate crimes on this campus are isolated incidents reveals more concern for public relations than for the safety of gay, lesbian and bisexual students.

Recent Campus Crimes A Call To Caution, Kristen Dobler

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

In light of recent incidents, the university community must look out for itself more and become aware of the risks on campus. Since the beginning of the semester, a gay-rights proponent has been threatened in his room by an intruder, a baseball player has been accused by police of committing assault in dorm, and several women on East/West Campus have had their rooms entered into the middle of the night by strangers.

Homophobic Attack Prompts Third Civil Rights Suit, Kathryn Ritchie

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

The Maine Attorney General's office announced yesterday that it has filed another civil rights lawsuit against a University of Maine student. Kirk R. Daigle, 26, has been accused of threatening a fellow student based on his minority status.

Gender Inclusive Learning Environments : A Theoretical Framework, Patricia Ann Noteboom

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework based upon gender inclusiveness within classroom environments. Particular focus is given to the literature on college classrooms, student learning, and gender. Respectively, insights gained through this literature review are used to create a theoretical framework through which inclusiveness may be examined or constructed within classroom and group settings. A review of the literature is presented and informs the development of A Gender Inclusive Model for Learning Environments. Discussion of the model follows, with limitations and recommendations noted.

A Resource Guide For Teacher Use To Address Issues Of Disproportionality In Grades K-5 In Urban School Districts, Kelie R. Kegley

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to develop a resource guide for teacher use to address issues of disproportionality in grades K-5 in urban school districts. To accomplish this purpose, a review of literature and current research on disproportionality in academic achievement in urban public schools was conducted. This review focused on effective curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices as they related to disproportionality in grades K-5. Additionally, information from selected urban school districts with disproportionality was obtained and analyzed.

A Resource Manual To Help Parents Work Effectively With At-Risk 5th Grade Students, Jeffrey S. Murrell

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a resource manual to help parents work effectively with at-risk, 5th grade students, in the Clover Park School District, Lakewood, Washington. To accomplish this purpose a review of current literature regarding at-risk students and parent involvement was conducted. Additionally, various organizations were solicited for community resources including: United Way, Department of Social & Health Services, Puget Sound Educational Service District, Equal Opportunity Resource Center, and Pierce County Community Action Agency. Finally, all resource materials were compiled, organized, and assembled.

Miscommunication Between Aboriginal Students And Their Non- Aboriginal Teachers In A Bilingual School, Anne Lowell, Brian Devlin

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

A crucial question in cross-cultural education is how to bridge the cultural and linguis- tic differences between home and school so that a child’s identity can be supported without limiting his or her chances of academic success (Eades, 1991). Various models of bilingual education have been implemented in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory of Australia but the implementation of such programmes is often far from ideal. In the school where this ethnographic study was conducted, miscom- munication between Aboriginal students and their non-Aboriginal teachers was found to be commonplace. Even by late primary school, children often did not comprehend …

A Note To The Frozen Chosen, Thomas Knestrict Ed. D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A poem written by Tom Knestrict (Turtlesongs 1997).

The Wisdom Of Youth, Thomas Knestrict Ed. D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A poem written by Tom Knestrict (Turtlesongs 1994).

Empowering Environments, John R. Wilson

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The special education system has come to a plateau. Although there have been significant advances in the quality of services delivered by special education teachers, this process can go forward only so far. It is now restricted from further significant advance by the bureaucratic and hierarchical form of education administration in this country. Until this structure is radically changed, special education teachers will not have the experiential knowledge to implement (on a wide scale) the individuality, empowerment, teamwork and overall spirit of the Individual Education Program process as outlined and intended in PL 94-142.

The IEP process has moved through …

Book Reviews: Resources For Creating Inclusive Communities, Ann E. Jantzen Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Whether you are looking for an article for a study group meeting, working with a committee on a staff development plan, or preparing you school-wide plan for next school year, the topic of inclusion is surely on your list of critical issues. In working on a State Superintendent's grant for preparing principals for inclusive practice, I recently had the opportunity to become familiar with several excellent resources for all of us involved in transforming school settings into truly inclusive communities. If you don't already have the following titles on your close-at-hand bookshelf I would urge you to get an order …

If Teacher Assessment Is The Answer, What Is The Question?, Michael W. Apple

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Throughout the United States, it is almost impossible not to hear the din of criticism of our educational system. It is supposedly a failure. It does not prepare our children for the rigors of international competition. It is too responsive to "minority" interests and not responsive to "our" common culture. It is inefficient and wasteful. And it has been captured by " producer" (teacher) not "consumer" (parents and the business community) interests.

A number of quite contradictory proposals to "fix" the schools are currently enjoying their place in the limelight. The first is organized around a vision of the weak …

Exemplary Inclusion Lessons, Ronald G. Helms Ph.D., Colleen A. Finegan Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The Great Ocean Rescue is an outstanding computer application for students of many ages and abilities. The authors have used The Great Ocean Rescue for several years with students from grades 2 through college. The Great Ocean Rescue is an outstanding software application for teaching about a variety of environmental and social issues.

In addition to the software options, the kit offers a teacher's guide and 28 student map resource booklets(seven sets of four), lesson plans, activities, and blackline masters. The CD-ROM version includes one set of students references. All versions contain a library of over 85 short movies and …

Editorial, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

As you can see this JOURNAL is a work in progress. We hope to have our first edition on-line by the end of March. The editorial staff is currently reviewing submissions and choosing what is to be included in the first edition.

New editions of the JOURNAL will be published quarterly, with timely articles and new perspectives concerning inclusive initiatives. It is our intent to provide a forum for articles concerning inclusive education and that many voices will be heard and diverse perspectives concerning inclusive education will be understood.

The JOURNAL defines inclusive education in the same spirit and with …

Who Signed Me Up For This?, John Herner

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

We've all heard the story of the little boy's first day in first grade. When the big hand and the little hand were both pointing straight up, he put on his jacket and began gathering up his things to go home. The teacher explained to Tommy that he was big boy now, and that he didn't go home at lunch like he did when he was in kindergarten; first graders stay at school all day.

"Who signed me up for this?" Tony demanded.

I'm glad someone signed me up to be a part of this first edition the Electronic Journal …

Review: The Teacher's Guide To Behavioral Intervention: Intervention Strategies For Behavior Problems In The Education Environment, Janice Brickley

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The first two sections of this book are extremely brief. Chapter I is a page and one third of introduction. Mrs. Wunderlich gives a brief background of the techniques she used to identify behaviors targeted in this book and some rationale for developing the manual. Chapter II is directions for using the manual, if the Behaviors Disorder Identification Scale has been administered. The bulk of the manual is contained in Chapters III and IV.