Secondary Education Commons^™

School Libraries, Disabilities, And A Phenomenological Progression To Policy Change, Patrice Narret Foerster

Dissertations

Research has shown that school librarians are not well equipped to work with students who have disabilities. Applying a conceptual framework culled from the public policy process literature, this phenomenological study used interviews with Washington, DC, policy workers--some of whom advocate for students with disabilities--to explore the possible connection between library experiences and the placement of libraries within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The findings indicate that these workers are not framing libraries in the same way that library professionals do and are not viewing school libraries as a direct source of student instruction. This dichotomy suggests that …

A Mother's Spiritual Journey With Her Disabled Son: An Autoethnography, Margaret C. Higgins Edd

Dissertations

Abstract

This autoethnographic research delves into a mother’s experiences with her disabled son over thirty-five years. Beginning with a thick description of the crib accident that resulted in physical and cognitive disabilities that profoundly change the course of both mother and son’s life, this research chronicles the search for meaning, community, and healing as they negotiate the realms of medicine, education, career, family, and spirituality. Models of disability that seek to explain various ways in which society often views disability are examined, but none resonate with the researcher’s intimate experiences nor satisfies her deepest needs for insight and healing. Making …

Autism In The Workplace: Assessing The Transition Needs Of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amy-Jane Griffiths, Cristina M. Giannantonio, Amy E. Hurley-Hanson, Donald N. Cardinal

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Over the next decade, close to half a million people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will reach adulthood. Research suggests that the career and life outcomes for young adults with ASD are poor as compared with those of the general population. Nevertheless, there is relatively little research on the work experiences of young adults with ASD that focuses on their career aspirations, preparation for work, career experiences, and the barriers associated with their transition into the world of work. Given the large numbers of young adults with ASD who are exiting secondary school and vocational training programs, it is imperative …

Masculinities, Gendered Expression, And The Social, Emotional, And Academic Well-Being Of High School Boys, Cynthia Bazinet

Educational Studies Dissertations

There has been longstanding concern over the seemingly intractable problem of boys’ academic achievement. Despite extensive research, there is little consensus among researchers and educators regarding best practices and approaches in mitigating and remediating the problem. This mixed-methods study sought to illuminate the issue further by focusing on the meaningful lived experiences of six young men aged 18 to 24 who attended and graduated from a central Massachusetts public high school. The study asked participants to reflect through prompted writing upon the stresses and pressures as well as the factors and conditions that affected their abilities to manage their performativities …

The Impact And Effectiveness Of Student-Centered Classroom Structure, Amie P. Westberg

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of student-centered learning as an alternative classroom structure. It is important that we continually reflect on our teaching methods and explore alternatives that can help give our students the best chance to succeed. While the literature is mixed with regard to which classroom style is best, there are many sources showing the benefits of student-centered instruction over a strictly teacher- centered classroom. Sources also showed that teachers do not need to choose exclusively one style of teaching, and that a blended classroom using a variety of teaching styles can be …

Differentiated Instruction In The High School Mathematics Classroom, Sherri Kruger

Mathematics Graduate Theses

The purpose of this research paper is to address the challenges of instruction within a classroom whose census is a diverse mixture of student mathematical abilities. The diverse ability of low and high achieving students all required to master the different strands of mathematics creates problems for instructors and students to stay engaged and actively moving forward deepening and widening their knowledge base. This paper will focus on differentiated lessons, assessments, and projects of a mathematics classroom in a public high school.

Can The Differentiated Math Classroom Be A Reality?, Carl Jeff Morris

Mathematics Graduate Theses

Imagine a math classroom that looked more like a Google workplace where collaboration, teamwork, and innovation are the centerpieces. Instead of just students sitting in rows passively learning about the nature of mathematics, picture a classroom of students in small circle discussing mathematics. This could range from groups working together on a problem solving strategy for a newly learned concept, students helping students using technology as an aid, another small group receiving intervention from the teacher, or individual students making or viewing instructional math videos. All of this according to research focused on classroom differentiation; specifically in middle school and …

Case 6: Armidale High School, Nsw - Backtrack Community Partnership, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Tender Bridge

Armidale High School is a comprehensive, partially selective high school in Armidale, NSW. The school has about 90 Aboriginal students out of a total school population of just over 600. The school has a range of community partnerships that have been initiated to cater for a wide variety of student career transition programs. Armidale High School (AHS) and BackTrack Youth Works (BYW) have had a strong partnership since 2006, when BackTrack first started working with young Indigenous people in Armidale. Since BackTrack began running programs at AHS, there has been a documentable increase in the number of young people who …

Case 3: Waikerie Independent Learning Centre, Michelle Anderson

Tender Bridge

Waikerie Independent Learning Centre provides a flexible learning pathway for disadvantaged young people. Neil White is the Principal of Waikerie High School, and this is their story of seeking to address a real need for some of the youth in Waikerie and surrounding communities.

Anxiety In The Math Classroom, Jean Benner

Mathematics Graduate Theses

Math anxiety is a learned response that inhibits cognitive performance in the math classroom. It is widespread among students from elementary age through college. Students suffering from math anxiety have difficulty performing calculations and maintaining a positive outlook on mathematics. Math anxiety is the result of a cycle of math avoidance that begins with negative experiences regarding mathematics. Facts pertaining to math anxiety are discussed and strategies are suggested to assist teachers in helping students to overcome math anxiety or avoid the phenomenon altogether.

Case 1: The Outdoor Classroom, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Tender Bridge

This storied account of practice looks at the development of a program for boys who, for various reasons – learning difficulties, behaviour, family and emotional concerns – were struggling. ‘The Outdoor Classroom’ project idea grew out of the national ‘Green Corps’ program for 17-24 year old unemployed youth. Waiting until boys were 17, however, did not seem like a good idea; boys were ‘at risk’ of leaving school before then. This is the story of how Anglican Community Care and Tenison Woods College came together to grow and resource ‘The Outdoor Classroom’ to identify and redirect boys who might have …

Methods For Encouraging Economic Diversity In Academically Rigorous Courses, Karen Patricia Kraabel

All Graduate Projects

In International Baccalaureate (IB) classes at Thomas Jefferson High School, the economic status of students in honors classes does not reflect that of the school as a whole. The author sought ways to bring more students from impoverished backgrounds into rigorous courses. In this school, there is a strong coincidence between etlmic minority status and socioeconomic status. The author believed that in addressing the economic issue the ethnicity issue would also be addressed. This is a practical issue as well as a pedagogical one, because the school's scores on state-wide standardized tests are lower for economically disadvantaged students than for …

Employment Activities And Outcomes Of College-Based Transition Programs For Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Amy Dwyre, Meg Grigal

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Think College Insight Brief #3 reports findings of a 5 year research and technical assistance grant related to the paid employment outcomes of students who attended dual enrollment postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities on college campuses in Maryland and Connecticut.

Manipulatives In Mathematics Instruction, Jessica Strom

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This paper is a review of research pertaining to the use of manipulatives in middle and secondary school mathematics instruction. It covers the research on the rationale for using manipulatives, the psychology behind learning with manipulatives, the common mistakes when teaching with manipulatives, and the suggested process to follow when using manipulatives in the classroom. There is a large amount of research and information on manipulatives in the classroom. One of the most prevalent topics addresses that the concrete characteristics of manipulatives allow students to progress through a natural learning process on their way to an abstract understanding of mathematical …

Transition Curriculum For Vessey Leadership Academy Leadership Application Project, Paul Terrence Gruber

Theses and Graduate Projects

Research indicates students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) struggle with their transition from high school onward. Students who once received services, now on their own, are left poorly equipped for success. Studies show these students often have low rates of participation in post-secondary schooling, high rates of unemployment, and high rates of incarceration or involvement in crime. Though studies show these young adults struggle after high school, very programs have been implemented to improve their chances for success. The following Leadership Application Project (LAP) was developed in an effort to create a transition curriculum for Vessey Leadership Academy, a …

How General Education And Special Education Teachers Perceive The Behaviors Of African American Students In Their Classrooms Within A Suburban School Setting, Claudia Powers

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study was to explore the perceptions of general education and special education teachers and their perceptions of behaviors in their classrooms. A qualitative design using structured interview and observation was used to collect the data in the winter and spring of 2007. A sample of twelve teachers consisting of six general education and six special education teachers were recruited from Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN. Data collection and analysis were concurrent. Three themes emerged from the collected data. The themes regarding how the teachers perceived behaviors in their classes are teacher-student relationship, student's dress and the jargon …

Teaching High School Age Students With Special Needs The Four Situations For Subtraction, K. A. D. Miller, Audrey C. Rule, V. M. Macentee

Open Educational Resources

All learners, including those who qualify for special education services, should have access to learning mathematical concepts. This study examined the efficacy of using hands-on sets of materials to teach two high school students with mental retardation the four situations for subtraction. This is a mixed methods study using a simple pretest-posttest design to determine correct interpretation of subtraction story problems for different situations (take-away, comparison, completion, and whole-part-part) and correct regrouping during dynamic subtraction. Eight story problems were presented to the two participants eight weeks prior to instruction; students answered an identical posttest after twelve half-hour lessons on subtraction …

A Manual For Transitioning Students With Disabilities Into Post High School, John Mcdonald

All Graduate Projects

This project examined the components of an effective transition plan to help students at the secondary level have successful post-high school outcomes. The review of cun-ent research indicates that when families, students, teaching of self-determination skills, and collaboration with adult service agencies occun-ed the likelihood of a positive outcome increased. Included is a secondary level transition planning guide that focused on family and student participation in the transition planning process, several example lessons on self-determination skills, and adult service agencies to link students with before exiting the public school system. The overall purpose of the guide was to increase positive …

The Effects Of The Use Of Dynamic Geometry Software On Student Achievement And Interest, Heidi B. Hansen

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examines the current research that exists on the effects that the use of dynamic geometry software has on student achievement and interest level in mathematics. Additional questions examined are whether using dynamic geometry software has a greater impact on high or low achievers, and what current methods of implementation are suggested by the research. A review of the relevant literature indicates that the use of dynamic geometry software does have a positive effect on student achievement, particularly achievement in areas of high-level thinking. Insufficient research has been done on the effect that the use of dynamic geometry software …

Can Everyone Make The Grade? Some Thoughts On Student Grading And Contemporary Classrooms, Jo M. Hendrickson, Robert A. Gable, M. Lee Manning

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

High school officials should consider alternative perspectives on grading in light of increasing student heterogeneity. Their challenge is to consider grading policies and practices that apply equally to students with and without diverse needs or disabilities. Schools should think about incorporating various combinations of percent, criterion-referenced, and norm-referenced grading into a more flexible policy on grading; ensure that student expectations are unambiguously described in writing and in sufficient detail; and subject their policies on grading to periodic review and be prepared to make any necessary modifications. Moreover, schools should collaborate with various stakeholders to develop policies on grading that guarantee …

The Influence Of The Transition Plan In Developing Communication Programs, Yuki Tanaka

Dissertations and Theses

The transition of students with moderate to severe handicaps from school to work and adult life has become a principal concern of special education over the last decade. Despite of these attentions, there has been little attention to the need for including plans for the student's communication needs in his or her Transition Plan. Thus, it is important to study the relationship between the inclusion of a student's communication needs in his or her Transition Plan and the effectiveness of communication programs. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between the Transition Plan and the effectiveness of …

The Development Of Secondary Education For Black Students In Columbus, Georgia 1920-1930, Becky Matthews

Theses and Dissertations

Prior to the opening of William H. Spencer High School in 1930, the highest level of public education that Columbus, Georgia, provided for its black students was nine years of industrial schooling that was designed to prepare them for jobs as manual laborers or domestic workers. The process which led to the development of Spencer High School was complex and protracted and involved a variety of organizations and individuals, but the major impetus for the building of the school came from three sources. These include consistent pressure from black community leaders, the growth of the city's black population, and the …

Integrating Mildly Handicapped Students In Industrial Arts Programs In Northeastern Iowa, William Martin Leonhart

Graduate Research Papers

The field of industrial arts is in a position to contribute considerably to the education of this group. It is this field of education that can prepare them personally, emotionally, socially, and economically to meet the demands of an adult industrial society. (Sharkey, 1964, p.17) The problem of this study ls to ascertain how industrial arts teachers can assist with the education of the educable mentally handicapped student, referred to in this paper as the Educable Mentally Handicapped (E.M.H.).

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 Effects Of Teachers Of Both Sexes On The Achievement Of Male And Female Mathematics Students, Betty Jo Ring Benz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Implementation Of Occupational Versatility To Industrial Arts Education For Special Education At Jason Lee Junior High School, Cecil M. Stewman

All Master's Theses

This paper gives a description of the "Occupational Versatility Program" as implemented into the Industrial Education Program at Jason Lee Junior High School. The program studied was a new industrial arts curriculum replacing the traditional industrial arts program. A description of the program was given as well as the problems encountered in the organization and operation of the program.

Recommendations for implementation of the program for other schools were included. Some suggestions for further research were also given.

An Analysis Of The Physically Handicapping Conditions Of Secondary School Students In Northeastern And Central Kentucky, Robert Edward Cipriano

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Education at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Education by Robert Edward Cipriano in August of 1968.

Slow Learners In High School English, Gwendolyn Jordan

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Kentucky School Journal, Department Of Library Special Collections

Research Collections

No abstract provided.