Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Teachers' Beliefs Regarding School-Wide Integration Of Mildly Handicapped Students In The Ephrata School District, Charlotte Throgmorton

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to determine the attitudes of teachers in the Ephrata. Washington. School District regarding the school-wide integration of mildly handicapped students in the classroom and the supports needed to insure its success. To accomplish this purpose, a survey instrument was designed and administered to elicit teacher responses. Survey responses were tabulated by frequency, rank order, percentage, and average, and provided a basis for descriptive analysis of data obtained.

Reinforcement Effects On The I.Q. Scores Of Institutionalized Children And Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Jody Robin Lewis

Masters Theses

Eighteen institutionalized school-age and adult subjects with severe/profound developmental disabilities were evaluated for the effects of self-selected reinforcement for correct responding on their I.Q. scores when tested with the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Terman & Merrill, 1960) or the Leiter International Performance Scale (Arthur, 1952). Subjects were tested under both standard and reinforcement conditions. The results indicated that overall, subjects when tested under reinforcement conditions showed a significant increase in mean I.Q. scores when compared with the same subjects tested one month previously under standard conditions. Several features of the data reveal intriguing results with regard to subjects and related preexisting …

An Assessment Of The Impact Of Resource Room Placement On Elementary Student Self-Esteem, Michael F. Hopkins

All Graduate Projects

An assessment, in the form of an interview, was conducted to measure the effects of resource room placement and full-time classroom integration on special education student self-esteem. Sixty students in the Wenatchee School District participated in the project during the 1990-1991 school year. The results of the project indicated that the placement of special education students in a full-time integration program does not insure a greater enhancement of their total self-concept; although it may be of benefit to certain areas in their self-esteem. The project included conclusions and recommendations.

Integrated Instruction Procedural Manual, Cynthia S. Sloan

All Graduate Projects

Advantages and disadvantages of integrating Specific Learning Disabled and Seriously Behaviorally Disabled students into the regular classroom were studied. The integration process relied on collaboration between regular and special education staff. Results showed integrated instruction to be a viable option to the traditional "pull-out" model. The "pull-out" model should remain an instructional option for students who cannot function in an integrated setting. An Integrated Instruction Procedural Manual is included as a reference tool for developing collaborative education for this population.

Increasing Reading Fluency In Students With Reading Difficulty, Kathryn Balabanis Peabody

All Graduate Projects

Four methods designed to increase reading fluency were employed in a primary level Special Education resource room. The methods were implemented in accordance with the theory and research regarding reading fluency. Each of the four methods effectively increased the students' ability to read fluently. However, the implementation of these methods varied in cost and time.

The Effect Of Computer Use On The Process Writing Of Learning Disabled Students, John W. Hill

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Extension Of The Audio-Visual Combination Discrimination Test, Valerie R. Davine

Masters Theses

The Audio-Visual Combination (AVC) scale (Kerr, Meyerson, & Flora, 1977) was developed to assess basic discrimination skills in the developmentally disabled population. Acquisition of such skills has been demonstrated to follow a progressive pattern. The existing AVC test assesses discrimination skills in the following hierarchy: Imitation, Position, Visual, Match-To-Sample, Auditory, and Auditory- Visual Combination. This investigation attempted to discover transitional skills between the Match-To-Sample and the Auditory levels. Twenty-four developmentally disabled adults were tested using the original AVC tool with the addition of four new discrimination tasks that were added to the existing scale to ascertain a finer gradation of …

Achievement Gains And Losses Of Integrated 5th Grade Resource Room Students: Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, Yakima School District, 1989-1990, Patricia F. Kincheloe

All Graduate Projects

The achievement gains and losses of integrated 5th grade resource room students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in the Yakima School District were studied. Nine resource room students were pre and post tested for achievement in reading, spelling, and mathematics. Teaching methods included cooperative learning, small and large group instruction, and peer tutoring. The results showed support for the integration of learning disabled students into a whole language, cooperative learning, regular education environment.

At-Risk Youth In Suburban Nebraska, John W. Hill

Educational Leadership Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Survey Of Georgia's Public School Systems With Self-Contained Language Classrooms, Brenda J. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-two teachers of self-contained language programs throughout the State of Georgia served as respondents for a survey of the operations of their programs in terms of students, teacher training, referral process, assessment process, entrance criteria, curriculum, and exit criteria. Results indicated that although the self-contained language programs are operating without standardized regulations, there is a great deal of similarity in their procedures, particularly in the areas of students, teacher training, referral process, entrance criteria, and exit criteria. The results of this study may be of benefit to state department personnel in developing regulations/procedures for self-contained language programs within the state.

Cognitive, Behavioral, And Adaptive Functioning In Fragile X And Non-Fragile X Retarded Men, E. Dykens, J. Leckman, Rhea Paul, M. Watson

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

The cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive functioning of 12 men with fragile X syndrome (aged 23 to 62 years) was systematically assessed and compared to two matched groups of retarded men without fragile X syndrome residing at the same institution. The fragile X group was largely indistinguishable from the comparison groups on the cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive measures. Fragile X patients were, however, significantly more likely to have achieved levels of adaptive functioning commensurate with their intellectual abilities. Fragile X subjects who had similarly affected siblings emerged as significantly higher-functioning in all areas than Fragile X subjects who did not have …

Case Study.Relating Self-Concept And Learning Disabilities To Athletic Success And Academic Achievement, J. Michael Stephens

Theses and Dissertations

Brad Dodson, a 21 year old male, served as the subject of this case study. The purpose of the study was to determine if self-concept in the learning disabled student can be improved after athletic success is realized and if an improved self-concept realized through athletic success can transfer to an improvement In academics.

Much of the data used in the study was collected through interviews with the subject. Additional data was collected through Interviews with family members, former teachers and acquaintances of the subject. The researcher's personal contact with the subject in a teacher-coach/student relationship was also utilized.

In …

Severity Of Articulation Disorders, Bobbie Greyer Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

Records, of thirty male and thirty female students, were surveyed to compare duration of time enrolled in articulatory therapy to the severity of the problem. The records were checked for severity rating, sex, race, age, and duration of time in program. Only students between the ages of five and seven years of age were included in this study. Students had to be enrolled for articulation only, no other exceptionality or abnormality, and on grade level equivalent to age. The Frisbie Educational Statistics Computer Program was used to compute means, standard deviations, and t test in computing the results, nonе of …

A Curriculum Design Using Mnemonic-Type Techniques To Aid Recall In Low/Average Achievers In The Fifth Grade, Blanche Floannell Fuqua Mcmath

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children in the Duval County School System in Jacksonville, Florida, who are low/average achievers have to compete in a multi-graded classroom atmosphere. These students are passed along supported by low minimum-based competency test scores. The purpose of this project was to show teachers how they can present mnemonic procedures to these students in an effort to help these students raise test scores, boost self-esteem, and provide a self-help study device that can aid their progress in subsequent grades, aid morale, and thus avoid potential drop-outs in the system. This curriculum design is offered in the subjects of health and science. …

Attitudes Of Secondary Special Education Teachers Toward Using The Computer As An Instructional Aid, Mary Nell Nail

Theses and Dissertations

This descriptive study was conducted to determine the attitudes of special education teachers toward using the computer as an instructional aid. The subjects were 78 secondary special education teachers from a southern metropolitan school district of approxіmately 30,000 students. The data-gathering instrument used for the study was a 20-item questionnaire devised by the researcher which employed the Likert scale to register the extent of agreement or disagreement with particular opinion statements.

The results, subdivided according to secondary school areas in which the teachers worked, years of teaching experience, areas of exceptionality, and subject matter areas, indicated that teachers in all …

The Inter-Rater Reliability Of The American Association On Mental Deficiency Adaptive Behavior Scale (School Edition) Using Secondary Special Education Personnel As Raters, Jimmy L. Camp Jr.

Masters Theses

The concept of adaptive behavior has been present in the definition of adaptive behavior for many years. With the advent of intelligence testing, adaptive behavior was deemphasized, but later reemerged as widespread dissatisfaction with the testing movement grew among researchers in the area of mental retardation. The importance of the concept of adaptive behavior has been affirmed by the American Association on Mental Deficiency (A.A.M.D.), which developed a dual criteria system of defining mental retardation that included adaptive behavior as a major component. The Federal government later adopted this classification system for funding purposes in P.L. 94-142.

The valid and …

Silent Reading Before Oral Reading On The Iri: Implication For Diagnosis And Instruction, Catherine P. Benedetti

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of silent pre-reading on the number of oral reading errors a student makes on an IRI. Twenty children read passages silently and then orally read passages without pre-reading. The results supported the null hypothesis that there would be no statistically significant difference on oral reading performances for disabled second and fourth graders. Implications for diagnosis and instruction are discussed.

The Implementation Of Teacher Assistance Teams As A Prereferal, Cathy C. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing population of special education is a problem. The framework of PL 94-142 guarantees a free and appropriate education to all children in the least restrictive environment. The U.S. Department of Education figures show that from 1976-1977 the states provided special education and related services to 8.2 percent of children enrolled in public schools. The figure for 1970- 1980 grew to 9.5 percent (Algozzine, Ysseldyke, & Christenson, 1983) which was a three percent per year growth rate. Further analysis of Algozzine, Ysseldyke and Christenson's studies (1983) showed that approximately 92 percent of those students referred were tested and 73 …

The Effects Of Test-Taking Instruction Upon The Test Scores Of Students Labeled As Learning Disabled, Deborah Wolfson

Masters Theses

A multiple-baseline design was used to investigate the effects of test-taking instruction upon the social studies test scores of four seventh grade students labeled as learning disabled. This two-phased (baseline and post-intervention) study ran for two semesters and included 14 test entries. All the tests were administered in the subjects' social studies class and scored by the subjects' social studies teacher. The teacher was not informed as to the nature of this study while it was in progress. The 10- day, individually instructed intervention package included activities in (a) test preparation (b) general test-taking principles (c) clue words (d) following …

A Comparison Of Practices In Grading Reading Performance And Their Underlying Philosophies And Policies For Children Reading Below Grade Level In Selected Florida School Systems, Linda Powell Ginn

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project was to survey selected school systems in the State of Florida and to determine their philosophies, policies: and techniques for grading reading. The area of special concern was children reading below assigned grade level but up to potential. The focus of this paper was to identify reports to parents that dealt in a positive way with below grade level readers and allowed for effective as well as cognitive development. Positive aspects of current reports were pointed out and suggestions for improvement to better serve needs of children reading below grade level were made. Since most …

The Effect Of An Intensive Study Skills Approach On Grade Point Average Of Secondary Learning Disabled Students, Jeanne Lancaster Vaughan

All Master's Theses

This study compared an intensive study skills approach with remedial instruction in basic skills for their effects on grade point average of secondary learning disabled students. The experimental group consisted of 12 students, as did the control group. Grade point was tabulated at the onset and conclusion of the study. The statistical analysis consisted of a t-test which showed no significance at the .05 level. The null hypothesis was retained. Discussion follows.

Washington Special Education Funding Formula, Sharon L. Jenft

Master of Education Graduate Projects

Financial implications of the current Washington Special Education Funding Formula for the 1980-81 school year were studied. Financial data for 229 school districts which provided education for handicapped children was collected for the study. The results showed that the majority of school districts which provide education for handicapped children did not receive funding equal to expenditures for education programs for the 1980-81 school year. Recommendations for increasing Washington's funding for handicapped education programs are discussed.

An Examination Of The Validity And Reliability Of The Scale Of Children's Attitudes Towards Exceptionality, Michael P. Hagan

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold: first to study systematically the Scale of Children's Attitudes Towards Exceptional i ty, and second to provide descriptive data concerning the attitudes of rural, regular education children to~-Jards the handicapped. The Seale of Children I s .A.tti tud es Towards Except ionali ty (SC.\TE) was administered to 232 children from two rur:11 schools in Sulliva.n County, Indiana. Both males and female,:; in grades t\vO through six we-re included in the study. The SCATE is a test constructed to evaluate the attitudes of regular education children towards handicapped children. It attempts to measure three …

A Comparative Evaluation Of Two Delivery Systems Of Mainstreaming In-Service Training For Regular Teachers Focusing On Child Change Variables, Glenn Earl Andis

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to evaluate mainstreaming in-service training practices for regular teachers which result in successful child change. The research design implemented was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group design with a pretest and a posttest. There were three comparison groups: (a) mainstreamed children and classes of regular teachers who participated in a practicum model of mainstreaming in-service, (b) mainstreamed children and classes of regular teachers who participated in a videotape model of mainstreaming in-service, and (c) mainstreamed children and classes of regular teachers who received no treatment (control group) .

The Development Of A Comprehensive Preschool Screening Instrument, Jana Lee Johnson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this paper was to research criteria for screening for young, handicapped children with the intent of developing a single, comprehensive screening instrument. Analyses of existing screening devices and data from educators in the field were also included in the study.

The resulting screening instrument was designed to assess the developmental acquisition of skills. Major developmental areas included in the screening instrument are language skills, motor development, perceptual skills, cognitive development, social skills, and self-help skills.

Street Survival Skills Questionnaire: The Design And Investigation Of A Measure Of Adaptive Behavior For The Mentally Retarded, Danny D. Linkenhoker

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study involved the design and investigation of a measure of adaptive behavior (Street Survival Skills Questionnaire) for the mentally retarded. Following a careful review of existing measures of adaptive behavior, a comprehensive review of research relating to prediction of independent living, and interviews with rehabilitation staff, a group of nine areas were targeted for inclusion in the instrument. These areas included Basic Concepts, Functional Signs, Measurement, Monetary, Time, Public Services, Safety and Personal Health, Domestic Management, and Implements and Tools. Items were then generated for each area in a multiple-choice, pictorial format that required a minimum of reading and …

An Analysis Of The Optimum Learning In Regular Classrooms Project In Charleston, Illinois, Patricia Tucker Chaney

Masters Theses

The Optimum Learning in Regular Classrooms Project is an adoptive-adaptive ESEA Title IV-C project with two purposes: (1) to provide more effective educational service to children with special needs through training the mainstream teacher to diagnose these special needs as well as implement solutions for such children on an ongoing basis, and (2) to provide more efficient support services to the mainstream teacher in his/her efforts to meet the special needs of exceptional children, whether handicapped or gifted.

Four main aspects of the project are examined:

Classroom organization. All classrooms were organized at least in part into learning centers. This …

The Development Of The Grand Rapids Educational Achievement Test, John S. Thatcher

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Descriptive Study Of Ninth Grade Reading Programs In Schools Of The Second Education District Of Kentucky, Eloyse Jean Groves

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Questionnaries concerning the nature of the state-required Ninth Grade Reading Programs were sent to principals of secondary schools in the Second Education District of Kentucky. The program, which had been in effect for two years, was studied as to the different organization, curriculum, students, faculty, resources, conclusions, and projections of each school involved an then compared to a standard reading program. It was found that Kentucky is a forerunner in the area of state requirements as to provision for help in reading for ninth grade students. The type of referral and physical setting of the program were both found to …

An Assessment-Diagnostic Center For Pre-School Public School Handicapped Children In Illinois: The Rend Lake Project, John Powell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.