Special Education Administration Commons^™

Including A Student With An Attention Problem: Strategies For Including A Student With An Attention Problem In The General Education Classroom, Mark S. Brown Ed.D., Patricia Ilderton

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A student with an attention problem may meet with academic problems when she is placed in the general education classroom. The general education teacher with assistance from the special education intervention specialist should collaboratively develop curriculum and environmental adaptations that will allow the included student to meet with greater academic and social success. This observational study offers strategies for working with a child with an attention problem for both the general education teacher and the special education intervention specialist. Academic and curriculum strategies are presented to proactively address the social and academic strengths of a student with attention problems who …

Life And Times Of Individuals With Mental Retardation: 40 Years Of History, Rhonda S. Black Ph.D., Beverly A. Salas

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

If we look to the not so distant past, we see a history of lost opportunities for employment and the chance to meaningfully contribute to society for individuals with mental retardation (Murphy & Rogan, 1995). Many issues surround why these individuals have not been more included within our society, particularly in the employment sector. Fears, questions, and concerns abound when looking at these issues. Such questions are: Why would I want to hire an individual with mental retardation? How much cost is associated with various accommodations that may be required? What unknowns are involved in hiring a person with mental …

Inclusive Elementary Schools And Those Who Lead Them, Mary Ellen Bargerhuff

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This qualitative study examines how principals' leadership qualities influence effective elementary inclusion programs. Guiding questions address principals' perceptions of the beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors essential to leadership in an inclusive school. Sites for this study were three fully included elementary schools (no self-contained classes) in southwest Ohio. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, observations, shadowing, and document review. The conceptual framework of relational leadership, particularly the attributes of caring, collaboration, courage, vision, and intuition organized the study. Findings illustrated that the principals believe relational leadership is necessary for the success of inclusive learning communities; they make collaborative, proactive leadership by …

Mighty?, Craig Davis

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The following poem was written by a teacher candidate at Wright State University in response to viewing the movie, The Mighty. This movie reveals the challenges and the triumphs two students with disabilities face as they forge a unique and enduring friendship.

Inclusion No More, Kathy Adams

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Observations made in fourth grade classrooms in a neighborhood urban school after the implementation of the Ohio Proficiency test (OPT) demonstrated the loss of one schools exemplary inclusion models. In addition, identified special education students may have been harmed and there was the possibility that the misplacement of some students occurred. Literature warns of the possibility that high stakes tests, like the OPT may increase the number of identified special education students.

Taking It Personally: The Role Of Memoirs In Teacher Education, Sharon A. Hollander

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The current popularity of memoirs and book groups is a cue to education faculty. When complemented by discussion groups and writing assignments, memoirs can be used to facilitate the process of inclusion in the schools by teaching both general and special educators about children with disabilities and their families. These works can also promote quality reading and writing, inspire original and insightful responses from students, and foster a sense of community in class. Some advantages and previous applications of this method are described and recommendations for implementation are made.

Welcome, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Electronic Journal of Inclusive Education. With this edition the conversation concerning the inclusion of student with special needs in regular education classroom continues with a number of scholarly articles.

The edition begins with Kathy Adam's discussion of inclusive practice for students from urban and low socio-economic backgrounds. These students are often wounded in the high stakes results of poor proficiency test scores. Ms. Adams provides insight concerning inclusive decisions for these children.

Dr. Mary Ellen Bargerhuff provides a qualitative look at the necessity of strong leadership when implementing inclusive practice. Her research reveals …

The National Board For Professional Teaching Standards: Professional Assessment For Teachers Of Students With Exceptional Needs, Ronald G. Helms Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) has established five areas of Exceptional Needs as new certification areas: Early Childhood through Young Adult/Exceptional Needs (birth to 8 years), Mild and Moderately Impaired (5 to 21+ years), Severe and Multiply Impaired (5 to 21+ years), Visually Impaired (birth to 21+ years), and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (birth to 21 + years). Pre K - 12+ Exceptional Needs teachers may now be recognized by their schools, communities, state, and nation as master teachers. Teachers are clearly central to planning, implementing, developing, and modifying NBPTS policies and procedures. Only Special Needs educators will …

Book Review: The Paraprofessional's Guide To The Inclusive Classroom: Working As A Team, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

In a special education program, working with paraprofessionals can be either an asset or a nightmare of tension and conflicting role expectations. As a supervisor of student teachers, the complaint that is heard most often is the difficulty establishing a smooth, coherent working relationship with paraprofessionals in the classroom. Often many school districts do not adequately define the roles and expectations for paraprofessionals and do not provide training and preparation for this position. The purpose of this text is to provide a format and structure for creating just such a working relationship.

Preschool Handicapped Transition Plans And Family Centeredness: A Policy Analysis, Dana Ann Swarts

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Attitudes Of University Faculty Members Toward Students With Disabilities, Marie F. Kraska

International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) Conference

American colleges and universities are experiencing a continuous enrollment of students with disabilities, especially students with learning disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that institutions of higher education provide full accommodations and services to all students. This study was conducted to ascertain the attitudes of university faculty members toward serving students with disabilities. Seventy-one faculty members representing three broad academic areas in a university in the Southeastern Region of the United States participated in this study. Results of the data analysis revealed statistically significant differences existed between faculty members when they were grouped by academic rank and academic unit.

Cultural Change Paradigms And Administrator Communication, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

Public school reform has taken three distinct turns over the past two decades. In the early 1980s, most policymakers blamed a lack of educational productivity on lazy students. Influenced by this argument, virtually every state legislature enacted laws lengthening the school year, lengthening the school day, and increasing high school graduation requirements. Within a relatively short period of time, however, the would-be reformers concluded that intensification of student experiences was insufficient to produce significant improvements. While not abandoning their original conviction, they shifted their attention to a second target-educators. The result was a flurry of proposals to revise or eliminate …

Class Document, Michele Wheatly Ph.D., Timothy Wood, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D., Jeffrey A. Vernooy

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The purpose of this short communication is to inform readers of the journal about an innovative NSF funded project at Wright State University aimed at "Creating Laboratory Access for Students in Science", commonly referred to as the "CLASS Project". The project, now in its second year and under the leadership of Michele Wheatly (Chair of Biological Sciences), represents a collaboration between academic units (Tim Wood, Biological Sciences and Patricia Renick, Teacher Education) and student services (Jeff Vernooy, Director of Office of Disability Services).

Individuals with physical disabilities are significantly underrepresented in mainstream science. Until recently the enterprise of science has …

Variables And Risk Factors In Day Care Settings, Ruth B. Schumacher Ph.D., Rebecca S. Carlson B.M.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Objective: This article was developed to identify the variables associated with abuse of children in day care centers and homes, and to specify risk factors to guide professionals and parents.

Method: The literature regarding child abuse [physical (PA), sexual (SA), and ritual (RA)] was reviewed, with emphasis on identification of variables associated with victims, perpetrators, and settings. Three factors increased the complexity of the review: (1) Differences in definition and categorization complicated study comparison. (2) Emotional tone affected some reviewers' definitions, methodology, and conclusions. (3) Some aspects of child abuse in day care homes and centers have not been well …

Welcome, Patricia R. Renick Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

WELCOME, to the third edition of the Electronic Journal of Inclusive Education. As you can see this is a work in progress. Articles are being revised and will go on-line when we receive them. So continue to stop in and read how the journal is taking shape.

In the mean time, please take a look at the article concerning creating laboratory access for students with disabilities (C.L.A.S.S.). This project has been chosen by the National Science Foundation as a model for teacher preparation and is an ongoing project here at Wright State University. One of the graduate students involved in …

Integration: Being Realistic Isn't Realistic, Norman Kunc

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

An increasing amount of pressure is being put on school boards to integrate students with physical, mental, and learning disabilities into regular classrooms, and thus teachers, principals, and those within the educational hierarchy are facing a dilemma to which there seem to be no easy answers. The primary concern confronting these educators is which students should be placed within the regular classroom and which students should be placed in segregated settings - whether in segregated schools or in segregated classes within a regular school. Even within the field of Special Education, there is a wide range of ideologies as to …

June Moon, Catherine Vance

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

A poem written by Catherine Vance.

The Role Of The Administrator In Creating An Inclusive Environment, Vicki S. Rasmussen

Masters Theses

The role the administrator plays in the development of an inclusive environment was investigated by conducting a review of literature and conducting a study of administrative views of inclusion in one East Central Illinois school district. Results showed that the success of the implementation of an inclusive school environment depended upon the role that the administrator was willing to play. Traits common to administrators who were successful in fostering inclusion along with problems that may be encountered are discussed. Case studies are reviewed, collected data analyzed, and recommendations for future practice are presented.

Kindergarteners' Acceptance Of The Social Behavior Of A Child With Special Needs, Colleen A. Finegan Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Positive relationships between children are a concern in inclusionary classrooms. This naturalistic study examines the relationship between children's perceptions of their peer's capabilities and its significance in making friendship choices It was found that young children utilize verbal and non-verbal language skills as the basis of decisions about friendship.

A Model For Inclusive Teacher Preparation, Jerry W. Whitworth Ed. D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Providing a quality education for all students in inclusive settings has been identified as perhaps the most challenging, yet most important, issue in education. There is little doubt, however, that inclusivity, rather than exclusivity, will characterize the schools of the next century. To be ready for that future we must prepare teachers who can teach in settings that are inclusive, meeting the needs of all students. This will require a different model of teacher education. This article describes one such model that incorporates what we know about inclusive educational practices into the preservice preparation of special and general education teachers.

Inclusion And Its Effects On Students, Kay E. Walker, June A. Ovington Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Inclusion is being implemented in schools across the nation (National Study of Inclusive Education, 1994). Schools are restructuring their general and special education programs because performance in our nation's schools has been poor. Inclusion advocates believe that the inclusion philosophy will improve education for both the general and special education student (An Inclusion Talkback, 1996). However, there is much disagreement on the effects of inclusion on various categories of students and much confusion about what inclusion really means (National Study of Inclusive Education, 1994).

The conclusions made from research on the topic of inclusion depends upon the population being considered. …

Regional Safe Schools Programs In The State Of Illinois, Michael R. Metzen

Masters Theses

Alternative educational programs have been in existence for decades in the public school community. They were designed to meet the special needs of students, either for the benefit of the student or the educational atmosphere of their previous program. Many of these programs have been a component of the local district, serving students within that particular district. In 1995, the Illinois General Assembly created a program for disruptive youth. The intent of that program was two-fold in nature. That program, called the Regional Safe Schools Program, was created to serve disruptive youth for their educational benefit, as well as voiding …

The School Superintendent: Theory, Practice, And Cases, Theodore J. Kowalski

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

This book provides both theoretical and practical insights into the evolving responsibilities associated with being the chief executive officer of a school system. Treats school administration as a science and a craft involving professional artistry, and examines the position in relation to challenges and potential frustrations and accomplishments. Describes contemporary superintendency in the context of four role conceptualizations (professional educator, business manager, statesman, social scientist). Traces the evolution of each role's expectations and discusses their continued emphasis in current practice. Considers policy development -- with an emphasis on deregulation and decentralization. Focuses on relevant issues, including communication, decision making, ethical …

Awakening Genius In The Classroom By Thomas Armstrong, Jacqueline Collier Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

In a world of inclusion and acceptance, of diversity and uniqueness, and of looking at the individual strengths of each child in an educational setting, it is only fitting that we look to the "genius" of each learner. The use of the term "genius" in this context redefines the usual perspectives and asks us to stretch our understanding to include the potential capabilities of every learner and what it is that they bring with them to make a unique individual worth developing. In his book Awakening Genius in the Classroom, Thomas Armstrong coaxes each reader to examine his or her …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …