Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Attitudes Of Mathematics Teachers Towards The Inclusion Of Students With Learning Disabilities And Special Needs In Mainstream Classrooms, Dorit Patkin Ph.D., Tsafi Timor Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The aim of this study is to examine the attitudes of 36 elementary school teachers towards the inclusion of students with learning disabilities in Mathematics in mainstream classes. The research related to three aspects: teachers’ knowledge of learning disabilities, teachers’ perceptions of the physical inclusion of these students, teachers’ perceptions of their responsibility towards the curricular inclusion of students with learning disabilities and towards curricular adaptations. Findings indicate that teachers’ knowledge of the topic is partial, whereas teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion are positive with regard to the three aspects of the research. The study yielded a need to incorporate the …

Ed/Bd Eligibility Related To Gender And Community Size In West Virginia|Ed/Bd Eligibility Related To Gender And Community Size In West Virginia, Matthew Joseph Smart

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Over-representation of males in special education is an area of concern. Research studies have confirmed West Virginia as one of the states having the highest male-to-female ratios for Emotionally Disturbed/Behavior Disorder (ED/BD) students. The current study compares the most and least populated areas in West Virginia with regard to ED/BD eligibility. Male/female student ratios of ED/BD were examined utilizing chi-square analysis. This study used the September 2009 regulations under West Virginia Policy 2419, and those regulations were in place when these data were collected. Results indicated that a statistically significant difference exists between the total number of ED/BD students made …

Intersecting & Intertwining Processes: Student-Directed Service Learning And The Demystification Of Special Education, Michael T. Farrell

Graduate Student Independent Studies

High school graduation rates depend in part on successful transitions from middle school to high school. For Special Education students in particular, programs are needed to address their academic, social, and personals needs in preparation for this important developmental shift. Service Learning and the Demystification of Special Education process are two approaches that have proven helpful. The purpose of this paper is to identify the intersecting and intertwining ways that these two approaches can be combined for student success. After reviewing the history and research related to service learning and programs designed to demystify the concept of Special Education, the …

Improving The Web Mastering Curriculum For The Included Classroom, Charles Zascavage, Victoria Zascavage Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Following the mandates of the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Deduction Improvement Act (IDIEA) and No Child Left Behind (2001) high schools have included students with cognitive disabilities into business classes. Although some teachers believe that the inclusion of mild to moderate intellectually disabled students into the general business education classroom may increases academic achievement for the special needs student; it continues to be widely debated as to whether it benefits the typical student or not. This study examined the issues of inclusion from the perception of a business faculty member, a special education district supervisor, a high school special education …

Examining The Relationship Between Early College Credit And Higher Education Achievement Of First-Time Undergraduate Students In South Texas, Carl A. Saltarelli Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between early college credit and the success of first-time undergraduate students in South Texas. Many high school graduates are entering college with credits earned while they were enrolled in high school. Researchers have examined the value of early college credit in easing students’ transition from high school to college. Additionally, researchers have investigated the value of early college credit in enhancing students’ early college persistence rates. This researcher focused on the relationships between early college credit and college student achievement of first-time undergraduate students. In the study, student achievement was …

Parents As Change Agents In Their Schools And Communities: The Founding Of Families For Early Autism Treatment (Feat), Bethany Kristin Mickahail

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative research highlights how parent driven "communities of support" create lasting change in schools and communities, through the unique blend of the two methodologies, oral history and educational criticism and connoisseurship.

In recent years, schools and communities are unusually impacted by an escalating wave in the diagnosis and treatment of persons with Autism. In 2010, the Center for Disease Control's Report stated 1 in 110 U.S. children are diagnosed with Autism. Yet long before this official report, parents and professionals affected by Autism and other disabilities were busy during the last half of the 20th century, seeking out ways …

A Capsule Of The International History And Philosophy Of Andragogy To 2010, John A. Henschke Edd

Adult Education Faculty Works

This capsule on the International History and Philosophy of Andragogy is mainly limited (with a few exceptions) to a chronological history and the accompanying philosophy of andragogy, in line with when the English language documents were published and personal descriptions of events were written down. Some of these documents, however, presents aspect of the events and ideas which recount the years and contexts prior to the time in which they appeared in published form. To date, more than 330 documents have been discovered, but space limitation in this chapter allowed the inclusion of only a fraction of that number. Each …

Quality Of Sports Participation By Pupils With Disabilities In Inclusive Education Settings In Masvingo Urban, Martin Musengi Ph.D., Tapiwa Mudyahoto Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The study sought to analyze the extent to which pupils with disabilities participated in sports and Physical Education in inclusive education settings. To this end, it examined how sports are adapted to suit these pupils and explored other factors which contributed to the pupils’ benefit or lack of benefit from sports. A qualitative descriptive survey design which employed questionnaires and structured interviews collected data from 30 primary school pupils with disabilities, 20 primary schoolteachers and five school heads. The study found that teachers and non-disabled peers have low expectations of pupils with disabilities as potentially competent athletes. The teachers view …

Students With Learning Disabilities: The Application Of Goffman's Stigma In The Inclusive Classroom, Christina Deroche

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This case study provides a qualitative glimpse into one inclusive classroom in Northern Ontario. It explores the nature of peer interactions of students with learning disabilities (LD) and uses Goffman's concept of stigma to analyze how students with LD react or act within the classroom. Twenty-five children were observed on a daily basis for seven weeks and participant observation was the primary method of data collection. Of these 25 children, 9 had a LD. This study found that sadness, aggression, and competence were recurring themes in student-peer interactions. This study reveals that the major themes presented reflect what studies have …

Teacher And Students' Perceptions Of A Modified Inclusion Classroom Environment, Elizabeth Kirby Fullerton Ph.D., Caroline Guardino Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The purpose of this study was to examine how modifying the inclusion classroom impacts teacher and students’ perceptions of their learning environment. Prior to intervention the teacher was interviewed providing information about her preferred modifications. Following the intervention the teacher completed a rating scale and a post interview. The students completed a classroom environment student survey (CESS), to assess their perceptions of the classroom before, during, and after modifications were made. Twenty fourth grade students, as well as their teacher participated in the study. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed.

Revelations Of Adaptive Technology Hiding In Your Operating System, Kathleen P. King

Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning

Pre-publication version of a chapter about the assistive technology tools and resources available for free in Windows OS and Mac OS. Introducing higher education faculty to free resources, features and programs which they can recommend to their students or perhaps use for themselves (for instance for fading eyesight or hearing). In addition, the chapter briefly shares strategies and examples of how they might be used.

The book will have an entire chapter dedicated to assistive technology as well. This is a popularized assistive technology chapter for generalist, NON special education, faculty to become acquainted with readily available and free resources. …

Examining The Relationship Between Early College Credit And Higher Education Achievement Of First-Time Undergraduate Students In South Texas, Carl A. Saltarelli Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between early college credit and the success of first-time undergraduate students in South Texas. Many high school graduates are entering college with credits earned while they were enrolled in high school. Researchers have examined the value of early college credit in easing students’ transition from high school to college. Additionally, researchers have investigated the value of early college credit in enhancing students’ early college persistence rates. This researcher focused on the relationships between early college credit and college student achievement of first-time undergraduate students. In the study, student achievement was …

Co-Teaching Beliefs To Support Inclusive Education: Survey Of Relationships Between General And Special Educators In Inclusive Classes, Ida Malian Ph.D., Erin Mcrae

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

Co-teaching is a prevalent approach to providing effective instruction in inclusive classes. The purpose of this study was to determine teachers’ perceptions of compatibility and discrepancy between their approaches to teaching, personal characteristics and efficacy of co-teaching. Noonan’s Co-teacher Relationship Scale was adapted to survey the co-teachers statewide. Results of the statewide survey of Arizona general and special educators teaching in inclusive classes are presented as they relate to their responses. Various aspects of co-teaching relationships and teacher implementation of co-teaching models are discussed. The authors derive attributes of co-teachers in Arizona that indicate compatibility and sustainability of co-teaching arrangements. …

What Teachers Wish Administrators Knew About Co-Teaching In High Schools, Geraldine M. Nierengarten Ph.D., Trudie Hughes

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This article presents the results of individual and focus group interviews with the co-teaching partner teachers comprised of general and special educators. In particular, the analysis reveals the teachers’ perceptions regarding what principals need to know and understand to support co-teaching in their schools. The co-teaching teams identified the following factors as important for the success of co-teaching in a high school classroom: teacher training, administrator training, compatibility, planning time, student schedules, natural proportions, respect and value for the teaching assignment, administrative support, and professional development. The teams also identified student and teacher benefits from participating in a co-taught classroom.

Imagination And Representation In Graphic Novels, Louann Reid

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Graphic narratives are garnering both scholarly and pedagogical attention. These visual texts move readers imaginatively into what Maxine Greene calls “illusioned worlds,” and simultaneously make them conscious of the constructed nature of those worlds through the visual and verbal conventions of comics.

Transforming Text: Finding The Poem Within, Deborah F. Carrington, Chapman Hood Frazier

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This essay illustrates creative ways for students to re-envision a page of text in order to discover multiple meanings through the integration of visual art and poetry.

Wise Teaching To Students’ Kinesthetic Intelligence: The Teacher As Surrogate, Guru, Foreshadower, Choreographer, Or Expeditionist, Sara K. Schneider

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Based on the degree of the teacher’s perceived skill, engagement, and role play with her students, this model posits six distinct styles of teaching to students’ kinesthetic intelligence and differentiates their effects on learning.

Writing As An Altered State Of Consciousness: Process, Pedagogy, And Spirituality, Julie Kearney

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Defining writing as an altered state of consciousness (ASC), this essay examines parallels between expressivist writing pedagogy and theories of psychologists Csikszentmihalyi and Tart. It further describes the benefits for writers who achieve ASC in terms of their learning potential and creative power.

Jaepl, Vol. 16, Winter 2010-2011, Joonna Smitherman Trapp (Editor), Brad Peters (Editor)

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Essays

Louann Reid - Imagination and Representation in Graphic Narratives

Deborah F. Carrington & Chapman Hood Frazier - Transforming Tests: Finding the Poem Within

Sara K. Schneider - Teaching to Students’ Kinesthetic Intelligence: The Teacher as Surrogate, Guru, Foreshadower, Choreographer, or Expeditionist

Andrea Greenbaum - Nurturing Difference: The Autistic Student in Professional Writing Programs

Ruth Henderson - The Forgiveness Classroom: Bringing Together Students from Both Sides of the Wall

Julie Kearney - Writing as an Altered State of Consciousness: Process, Pedagogy, and Spirituality

Anthony T. Atkins - It’s Complicated: Using Facebook to Create Emotional Connections in Student-Professor Relationships

JoAnne Katzmarek …

Weaving A Song Of Self, Joanne Katzmarek

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Exploring the effectiveness of narrative as a mode for relationship building as well as a means to sustain and deliver content knowledge, this article explores the instructional settings of an undergraduate English class and an online environment for a teacher preparation course.

Taking The Great Leap Of Being: Finding Happiness And Hope In A Life Of Thought, Bruce Novak

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

No abstract provided.

Nurturing Difference: The Autistic Student In Professional Writing Programs, Andrea Greenbaum

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

can assist autistic students by providing them with writing opportunities through the classroom, internships, and university publications. Aiding their personal and professional development also serves the university and the community-at-large.

It’S Complicated: Using Facebook To Create Emotional Connections In Student-Professor Relationships, Anthony Atkins

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

How can we use Facebook and other technologies to create emotional and professional connections with students?

Front Matter

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Editor's Message.

Book Reviews, Judy Halden-Sullivan, Ken Delucca, Brad Lucas, Timothy Shea, William Archibald

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Book Reviews

Judy Halden-Sullivan - Practices in Mindfulness

Ken DeLucca - Schoeberlein, Deborah and Suki Sheth. Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness: A Guide for Anyone Who Teaches Anything. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2009.

Brad Lucas - MacDonald, Elizabeth, and Dennis Shirley. The Mindful Teacher. New York: Teachers College Press, 2009.

Timothy Shea - VanDeWeghe, Richard. Engaged Learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2009.

William Archibald - Cummings, Robert E. Lazy Virtues: Teaching Writing in the Age of Wikipedia. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt UP, 2009

Connecting, Helen Walker, Grace Feuerverger, Gesa E. Kirsch, Betsy Newmeyer, Anita Voelker, Allison Brimmer, Debbie Axelrod, Margo Wilson, Catherine M. Nelson, Liang Zhao

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Connecting

Helen Walker - Growing Up

Grace Feuerverger - Mandy

Gesa E. Kirsch - A Teaching Success or Failure?

Betsy Newmeyer - My RIF’d Life

Anita Voelker - Will’s Story

Allison Brimmer - Elitist White Lady Who Tries Too Hard

Debbie Axelrod - Dear Professor

Walker Margo Wilson - Burnishing the Bruises

Catherine M. Nelson - Jimmy

Liang Zhao - Lead by Example

The Forgiveness Classroom: Bringing Together Students From Both Sides Of The Walls Through Deep Listening, Ruth Henderson

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This essay describes a forgiveness course taught in prisons and on college campuses. The course served as a bridge for Endicott College students and inmates from the Maine Correctional Center at Windham, highlighting how deep listening may reduce violence and promote understanding.

Back Matter

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Back matter.

The Evolution Of A New College Course In Behavior Management: A Case Study In Collaboration And Compromise, Richard L. Mehrenberg Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

This article describes the development of a new behavior management course for both elementary and special education pre-service teachers at a Pennsylvania college. The evolution of the course is detailed through a four stage process:(a) identifying stakeholders, (b) defining priorities, (c) content collaboration, and (d) reaching a compromise. The study concludes with a discussion of what yet needs to be accomplished and strategies for implementation.

Response To Intervention: Right On Track, Charmion B. Rush, Nicole Dobbins Ph.D., Stephanie A. Kurtts Ph.D.

Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education

The purpose of response to intervention, or RTI, is founded on the premise that, with data-based decision making and evidence- based practices, children who otherwise may have been identified with a mild educational disability will receive early instructional intervention and thus have the opportunity to remain with their peers in general education settings. For RTI to be successful, educational professionals need to have the core building blocks for implementation. A comprehensive RTI plan integrates academic interventions with behavioral supports to catch struggling learners early. Identification models that include RTI may lead to better achievement and behavior outcomes for all students. …