Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Preparation Of School Counselors And Response To Intervention: A Profession At The Crossroads, Melissa S. Ockerman, Eva Patrikakou, Amy Feiker Hollenbeck

Eva N. Patrikakou

As a result of the Response to Intervention (RTI) mandate in schools across many states, school counselors are uniquely positioned to a take a leadership role within its implementation. This research study examines how school counselors in one such state perceive their training and knowledge of RTI and thus their confidence in implementing it. Implications for training, supervision, professional development and future research are discussed.

Data-Based Decisions Guidelines For Teachers Of Students With Severe Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Bree A. Jimenez, Pamela J. Mims, Diane M. Browder

Pamela J. Mims

Effective practices in student data collection and implementation of data-based instructional decisions are needed for all educators, but are especially important when students have severe intellectual and develop- mental disabilities. Although research in the area of data-based instructional decisions for students with severe disabilities shows benefits for using data, there is limited research to demonstrate teachers in applied settings can acquire the decision-making skills required. The purpose of this research was to demonstrate how teachers from five states acquired a set of data-based decisions implementation guidelines through online professional development. Recommendations for practice and future research are included.

How Does Inclusion With Co-Teaching Affect Student Performance On Summative Assessments?, Kaitlin M. Hutchinson

Kaitlin M Hutchinson

Schools have been pushed toward inclusive practices with an emphasis on co-teaching models (Yeung, 2012), yet reservations exist and little is known about the effects of inclusive practices. The questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does inclusion with an emphasis on co-teaching affect performance of newly transitioning students with disabilities on district and teacher made summative assessments?, and 2. Does inclusion with co-teaching have a carry-over effect on typically-developing students’ assessment scores? This study aims to investigate the effect of inclusive practices on student summative assessment scores. Results from the district pre-assessment were gathered for all students in …

Standards For Educational, Edutainment, And Developmentally Beneficial Computer Games, R. Peterson, I. Verenikina, J. Herrington

I. Verenikina

The results of a comprehensive review of the body of research concerning the developmental and educational value of computer gaming for children is reported. Based on the review, design criteria are proposed for educational and edutainment computer games. In addition, a hierarchy of educational, edutainment, and entertainment game categories is introduced. It is argued that a standard educational labeling system is needed to assist parents and teachers with selecting computer games. A gap in the research is highlighted with regard to the affordances of computer games to facilitate the development of young children’s higher order thinking. It is recommended that …

Goal Setting And Rewards For Addressing Nonresponse To Empirical Intervention, Jeremy W. Ford

Jeremy W. Ford

Reread-Adapt and Answer-Comprehend (RAAC) is an intervention targeting difficulties with reading fluency and comprehension. Previous research has demonstrated RAAC to be effective for students with and without disabilities. This study extended research using RAAC by using goal setting and rewards. Participants will learn how to use these strategies to implement less intrusive changes for when a student does not respond to an empirically-based intervention prior to more intrusive changes (e.g., duration, frequency, different intervention).

Cbms And Postsecondary Students With Developmental Disabilities: Examining Technical Adequacy, John L. Hosp, Jeremy W. Ford, Kiersten Hensley, Sally M. Huddle

Jeremy W. Ford

For students with developmental disabilities (DD), postsecondary education opportunities are increasing and they require focused academic skill instruction. Tools for progress monitoring (e.g., Curriculum-Based Measurement; CBM) are needed however, research with CBM and students with DD is limited. Participants will be able to evaluate the technical adequacy of these instruments.

Accommodating Accommodations: How A Small Liberal Arts College Certification Program Redefines The New Ell State Mandates, Brent C. Talbot, Kaoru Miyazawa

Kaoru Miyazawa

No abstract provided.

Can Prevention Programs Work Together? An Example Of School-Based Mental Health With Prevention Initiatives, Hank Bohanon, Meng-Jia Wu

Hank Bohanon

Personnel addressing mental health in schools are required to provide supports in settings that have decreasing resources and multiple initiatives. While competing initiatives in schools can pose problems, integration of prevention systems and data may lead to more efficient supports and effective outcomes. Mental health service providers must consider how the integration of schoolwide initiatives such as positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), response to intervention (RtI), and social and emotional learning (SEL) can improve their work. This article will provide an example showing varying levels of integration of schoolwide models in one state. This example will include (a) the …

Convergent Validity Of The Finnish Behavioral And Emotional Rating Scale-2 With Teachers And Parents As Raters, Hannu Savolainen Dr., Philip D. Nordness Dr., Erkko T. Sointu, Kristiina Lappalainen, Michael H. Epstein

Philip D. Nordness Dr.

In previous research the Finnish version of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-2 (Epstein,2004) has demonstrated adequate internal consistency and reliability. The purpose of the present study was to examine the convergent validity of the Finnish BERS-2 by comparing it with the Finnish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, with teachers and parents as the raters. The results add to the research base to suggest that the Finnish BERS-2 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the emotional and behavioral strengths of children and youth.

The Role Of Universities In Achieving National And International Priorities: A Closer Look At Education, Research And Innovation, Hadi Salehi, Melor Md Yunus, Zeinab Salehi

Hadi Salehi

Universities are regarded as fundamental factors to the achievement of many national and international priorities. Universities are the only places where the ideas and rationales are brought together, and which make them the strongest providers of the rational explanation and meaning that societies need. Investments in the universities are increasingly based upon the belief that the science labs in research-intensive universities can be the source of a continuous stream of people and ideas that will spawn innovative and fast growing companies to form a knowledge-based economy. In teaching, universities shape new people, and in research, they create new possibilities. The …

Pepsa 11th Annual Autism Summer Institute, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Schools today face the challenge of providing appropriate services to a diverse and increasingly numerous student population diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Epidemiological research indicates a progressively rising prevalence trend for ASD over the past decade. Recent studies indicate that the prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is 78% higher than just 10 years ago. The most recent report from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 88 school-age children have an autism spectrum disorder. In fact, prevalence and incidence figures suggest that over 1.5 million Americans are affected by autism.

School professionals …

Do Declining Neighborhood Economic Conditions Trump Hoped For School Renovation Renewal Benefit?, John W. Hill

John W. Hill

The purpose of this study was to determine (a) individual student achievement, (b) teacher mobility rates, (c) perceptions of safety at school, and (d) student enrollment patterns, over time, in two recently renovated, same city, urban, No Child Left Behind compliant, Title I elementary school buildings located in close proximity neighborhoods one with improving the other with declining economic conditions. Achievement results indicated that fifth-grade students (n = 18) who attended a renovated school second-grade through fifth-grade in a neighborhood with improving economic conditions compared to fifth-grade students (n = 15) who attended a renovated school second-grade through fifth-grade in …

Have Institutional Review Board Regulations Affected Research Approval Patterns?, John W. Hill

John W. Hill

No abstract provided.

Florida Association Of School Psychologists 38th Annual Conference, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Schools: Evidence-Based Screening and Assessment

Epidemiological studies indicate a progressively rising prevalence trend for ASD over the past decade. Yet, compared to population estimates, identification rates have not kept pace in our schools. Many children with ASD are overlooked, misdiagnosed with another psychiatric condition, or present with coexisting psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. School psychologists must be prepared to recognize the presence of risk factors and/or early warning signs of ASD, engage in case finding, and be familiar with screening and assessment tools in order to ensure that students are being identified and …

A Meta-Analysis Of Peer-Mediated Interventions For Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jie Zhang, John J. Wheeler

John J. Wheeler

School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Screening And Identification, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Epidemiological studies indicate a worldwide increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) over the past decade. ASDs are no longer considered rare conditions. Although the reason(s) for this rise are uncertain, research indicates that specialised intervention at an early age is vital for optimising the outcomes of children with ASD. However, not all children with milder forms of autism will be identified prior to school entrance. Hence, it is essential for educators and school-based support professionals to ensure that children who have risk factors and/or warning signs of ASD are identified and provided with special educational services as …

Facilitating The Identification Of Autism Spectrum Disorders In School- Age Children, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Recent special education trends suggest that students with autism spectrum disorders are underrepresented in our schools’ special education programs. The increased awareness and prevalence of autism, together with the clear benefits of early intervention and special education, have created an urgent need for school-based professionals to identify children who may have an autism spectrum disorder. Screening is an important first step for securing the appropriate educational services. The aim of this article is to provide school professionals with a review of five screening instruments that hold promise for identifying school-age children in need of a more in-depth diagnostic assessment.

A Childhood Disorder Grows Up, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Despite the large number of research and clinical studies related to children and adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome, psychologists have only recently begun to appreciate the complex challenges faced by adults who were not identified in childhood. This article aims to increase the knowledge base of psychologists in the mainstream mental health community, who may have limited or no experience working with adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Self-Management For High-Functioning Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Supporting children with autism spectrum disorders in the general education classroom presents a unique challenge to the teachers and schools that serve them. This article addresses the utility of self-management as a proactive strategy for increasing the task engagement and compliant behavior of high-functioning students with autism. The author discusses the rationale for self-management, outlines the steps for developing an intervention plan, and presents a case vignette to illustrate implementation of a self-management procedure.

Assessing Treatment Integrity In Behavioral Consultation, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

The trend in school psychology services is a shift from an emphasis on an assessment-based paradigm to one of consultation problem-solving and behavioral intervention. A critical component of consultation-derived interventions and behavior change is treatment integrity. Treatment integrity (or fidelity) refers to the extent to which an intervention is implemented as intended (or planned). Although its importance has been acknowledged in the literature, this construct has largely been neglected in consultation research and practice. This article describes practical approaches for assessing and monitoring the integrity of treatments implemented during the problem-solving process. A treatment-monitoring interview (TMI) is proposed as an …

Monitoring Treatment Integrity: An Alternative To The ‘Consult And Hope’ Strategy In School-Based Behavioural Consultation, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

An international trend in school psychology services is a shift from an emphasis on assessment-based activities to a paradigm of consultation problem-solving and behavioural intervention. As the profession experiences an expansion of roles and functions, school psychologists should have an understanding of a critical aspect of behaviour change: treatment integrity (Gresham, 1989). Treatment integrity (or fidelity) refers to the extent to which an intervention is implemented as intended (or planned). This article describes the construct of treatment integrity as it relates to the implementation of consultation-derived behaviour intervention plans. Practical approaches for assessing and monitoring the integrity of treatments are …

Challenging The Status Quo: Campus Community School, Marcy B. Zipke

Marcy B Zipke

Campus Community School is a 300-student charter school in Dover, DE, which serves children in grades 1 through 8. As a new charter school the founders have had the opportunity to build our ideal school, from designing a constructivist project-based curriculum, to implementing site based management, and focusing heavily on parent participation. This essay illustrates how well the charter school model can work. As the administrator and one of the founding members of CCS, I describe our challenges and hurdles as well as successes.

Conjoint Behavioral Consultation: An Emerging And Effective Model For Developing Home-School Partnerships, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Conjoint Behavioral Consultation (CBC) is discussed as an emerging and effective model of home-school collaboration and shared problem solving. A case study is presented to demonstrate how practitioners can use CBC to deliver high quality consultation and intervention services to students, teachers, and parents in a real world setting. An evidence-based intervention (EBI) was implemented in the context of CBC to enhance the on-task and compliant behavior of a student referred for consultation. Results indicated a significant increase in teacher ratings of behavioral control (on-task and compliant behavior) following consultation. Positive treatment effects were maintained at a 4-week follow-up. Norm …

Bridging The Research-To-Practice Gap In School-Based Consultation: An Example Using Case Studies, Lee A. Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Scientific practices were applied through case studies to evaluate the utility of conjoint behavioral consultation (CBC) as a method of providing support for 2 students with behavioral challenges in general education classrooms. A single-case design with a follow-up phase was employed to assess the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention (self-management) delivered in the context of the CBC model. Results indicated a significant increase in teacher ratings of behavioral control (on-task and compliant behavior) for both students. Positive treatment effects were maintained at a 4-week follow-up. Norm referenced measures produced statistically reliable and clinically meaningful changes in teachers' perceptions of behavior …

Supporting The Inclusion Of A Student With Asperger Syndrome: A Case Study Using Conjoint Behavioural Consultation And Self-Management, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Conjoint behavioural consultation (CBC) is an indirect form of service delivery that combines the resources of home and school to meet the academic, social and behavioural needs of children. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of CBC as a service delivery model for supporting the inclusion of a student with Asperger syndrome in a mainstream setting. A case study methodology was employed to assess the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention (self-management) delivered in the context of the CBC model. Results indicated a significant increase in teacher ratings of behavioural control (on-task and compliant behaviour) from baseline …

An Evaluation Of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation As A Model For Supporting Students With Emotional And Behavioral Difficulties In Mainstream Classrooms, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

Conjoint behavioral consultation (CBC) is an indirect form of service delivery in which parents and teachers collaborate to meet the academic, social, and behavioral needs of children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CBC as a method of providing behavioral support for two students with emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBD) in mainstream classrooms. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants’ design and a follow-up phase were employed to assess an evidence-based intervention (self-management) delivered in the context of the CBC model. Results indicated a significant increase in teacher ratings of behavioral control from baseline to treatment. Positive treatment effects …

Home For The Holidays: A Red-Flag, Carry-In, Reclaiming Intervention, John Hill

John W. Hill

No abstract provided.

Impulse Control Rap: "We Got A Skill To Help You Chill", John W. Hill

John W. Hill

No abstract provided.

Connecting Reasoning And Writing In Student "How To" Manuals, John W. Hill

John W. Hill

No abstract provided.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, John W. Hill

John W. Hill

No abstract provided.