Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

What Are Parents' Opinions Towards Their Children's Transition From School To Adulthood?, Michelle Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine if training affected parent attitudes towards the transition planning process. Twenty-one parent volunteers participated in this study. Parents answered survey questions about their attitudes before attending two training sessions. A second survey was then completed to determine if there was a significant difference in responses after training. A pre-post survey design was used where means were compared using ANOVA. The results showed a statistical significant difference in question 6 "I know that my child has a behavior plan" in favor of the training, and no significances between pre-post responses to other questions.

Improving The Word Problem Solving Abilities Of Students With Disabilities: Cognitive Strategy Instruction (Csi) Compared To Schema-Based Instruction (Sbi), Rena Kha

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare Cognitive Strategy Instruction (CSI) and Schema-Based Instruction (SBI) and determine which is more effective at improving the mathematical word problem solving abilities of eighth grade students with disabilities. Two students with disabilities who were also at risk for mathematics failure were chosen to participate in this study. The research phase consisted of a baseline data collection period followed by an intervention period, a probe, a second intervention period, and a final probe. Cognitive strategy cue cards and schematic diagrams were created for this study. Both Student A and B received their assigned …

Questioning To Increase Perspective Taking Abilities In A Child With Asperger's Disorder, Melissa Shestack

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the effectiveness of using point-of-view video modeling and relational response questioning to teach perspective taking skills to a second grade student with Asperger's disorder. The student showed significant deficits in the ability to share with his classmates and with a younger sibling. Three baseline collection periods were held in which the participant was asked to share a food item and a toy with his five year old sibling to analyze sharing deficits. Sharing is an integral function of perspective taking skills. The intervention was a personalized point-of-view video using the subjects five year old sister as a …

Using Social Networking To Increase Independent Social Functioning In A Student With Autism, Daniel Kilgallon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if engaging a student on a social networking site with his peers would increase social functioning in other settings. In this study social interactions were measured by reciprocating greetings, initiating greetings, and total numbers of social interactions during lunch and more social classes like gym. Both independent and prompted interactions were recorded. The student was required to log into Facebook and make a minimum of three interactions per day. Interactions that were recorded did not include interactions on Facebook. The subject showed marked improvement in reciprocating greetings and minimal increase in initiating …

The Effects Of Wilson Reading System And Guided Reading On The Reading Achievement Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Rachel Ricci

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose for this study was based on Millville Public School's need for students to meet annual yearly progress in language arts literacy according to state standards. This study evaluated the results of the use of the Wilson Reading System compared to a Guided Reading program on the reading achievement of students with learning and reading disabilities using the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) first grade assessment data. DIBELS was used to assess the students on nonsense word fluency, whole words read and oral reading fluency. Combining all of the DIBELS skill areas assessed, the students in …

A Comparison Of Video Modeling And Social Stories To Decrease Inappropriate Behaviors, Caitlin Peluszak

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine which type of social intervention is more efficient when comparing Video Modeling and Social Stories when attempting to decrease inappropriate social behaviors. Two children were chosen because they both displayed inappropriate mouth noises at various points throughout their time in the self contained classroom. Three baseline data collection periods were held and alternated with two intervention periods. A personalized peer modeling video and a personalized Social Story with photographs of the child was made for each child. These interventions were shown the children across separate five-day periods at a decreasing frequency, and …

Using A Peer Buddy System To Increase Interaction Between Students With Special Needs And Their Peers, Kristi Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities in a self-contained elementary classroom were given peer mentors to encourage and motivate them to become more active socially. The peers modeled appropriate behavior and social skills during special area classes. The four students who volunteered to act as mentors met with the special education teacher and discussed the plan of action. As a result of the intervention, the students with disabilities approached their typical peers more frequently. The students with disabilities grew in many ways socially, emotionally and cognitively. The mentors gained knowledge of the peer mentor system as well as knowledge of students with disabilities. …

The Impact Of A Reading Intervention Program On Students With Reading Difficulties, Susanne Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to compare the impact of a reading intervention program, Read 180/System 44, on students in a Behavior Disabilities class, with students in a Learning and/or Language disabilities class and an "at risk" group of students from the general education population. The researcher collected pre and post data in September and February. The classroom teachers implemented the Read 180/System 44 program for approximately five months. The "at risk" general education program displayed the most significant growth. The students in the Behavior Disabilities class as well as those in the Learning and/or Language group also …

Intervention And Referral Services: Student And Teacher Support Team Or Roadblock To Special Education?, Joshua Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effect of the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) process in a pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade elementary school in Southern New Jersey. In an attempt to identify student outcomes, as well as teacher and team member perceptions of the process, a log of I&RS meetings was reviewed. The resulting data suggested that slightly less than half of the students referred through the process over the 2009/ 2010 school year were either retained the following school year or eventually found eligible for special education. Results of a survey given to team members …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Smart Board Technology By Evaluating The Students' Ability Of Completing Their Work With Focus On Students With Disabilities, Melanie Handler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SMART board technology by examining rates of participation by students, and evaluating the students' ability of completing their work while focusing on students with disabilities. Students with learning disabilities sometimes have a lack of engagement in completing tasks due to inattention. Technology such as the SMART Board helps students and allows them to learn more effectively. The SMART Board also creates an opportunity for teachers to differentiate instruction for all of their students. The SMART board can increase motivation, offer self-paced practice, and create a high-interest learning environment. Educators …

Supporting Students With Asperger Syndrome In Higher Education, Julie Ciocco

Theses and Dissertations

In this research project, the Peer Coaching Program for Students with Asperger Syndrome (or with demonstrated weaknesses similar to AS) at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey was analyzed for effectiveness. The program's seventeen student participants and seven coaches were surveyed in order to attain data on the demographics of each group, their skills, their weaknesses, and their experiences within the program. It was found that most of the students were able to either maintain their GPAs or raise their GPAs while participating in the program, and all were exposed to various social skill training activities and workshops to help …

The Effects That A Cognitive Behavior Modification Intervention Can Have On A Child With Behavioral Disabilities, Kelly Courtney

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a focus on the effects that a cognitive behavior modification intervention can have on a child with behavior disabilities. Children with conduct disorder(s) frequently engage in aggressive and disruptive behaviors and often show and express their emotions in many different ways. Often these behaviors are controlled or managed through behavioral interventions. CBM aims to teach individuals to monitor their own behavior, pace or performance and to appropriately dispense self-reinforcement. A cognitive behavior modification program was implemented with one student. Through modeling, observation and then imitation, the child developed new behaviors. This intervention represents a viable alternative for …

Using Self-Regulation To Improve Academic Outcomes Of Middle School Students With Behavioral Disabilities, Sandra Niblic

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to identify and analyze the use of self-regulation techniques to improve the academic skills of language arts and mathematics for students with behavioral disabilities attending middle school. Self-regulation techniques were presented in a self-contained class during presentation of reading, writing and mathematics objectives. Students monitored their participation in class activities after signing a contract of agreement. Behaviors were monitored and assessed for preparedness for class, listening to directions, staying in assigned area and completing work assignments. Selfmanagement, self-monitoring and self-evaluation techniques were used by two subjects. Rewards were used to increase academic skills by …

An Observational Study Of The Fast Forword Program And Attention Skills Of Students With Learning And Behavioral Difficulties, Eileen A. Mosby

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Fast ForWord program (FFW) on attention for students with learning and behavior problems, compared to two other reading programs (Achieve 3000 computerized reading program and a traditional reading program). Improvements in attention skills were observed and compared following a 30-minute, 5 day-a-week schedule. The three programs were implemented within the curriculum in a middle school setting for a 40 day period. The design was a single group study conducted within a single school in the Gloucester County Special Services District. The study participants were 12 seventh through ninth-grade students attending Bankbridge Regional School …

A Study Of Selected Teachers' Methods To Improve Parental Involvement In Education, Michael Sandberg

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore teaching methods of selected teachers that help to improve parental involvement in education at a middle school in South Jersey. The study also investigated demographic factors such as gender, subject taught, subject or discipline taught, and years of teaching experience. Data on the attitudes were collected by means of a survey using 14 Likert-type items using a 4 point scale and 4 open-ended questions. Research and this study show that a variety of teacher's methods could improve the communication and involvement of parents in the educational process.

Social Stories: Do They Improve The Social Pragmatic Skills Of Second Through Fourth Grade Students With Learning Disabilities?, Kristine A. Egrie

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if social stories would improve the social pragmatic skills, specifically asking a question and staying on topic, of second through fourth grade students with learning disabilities. The subjects were six selected students enrolled within a self contained class for students with learning disabilities in southern New Jersey in February and March 2008. Data on social pragmatic skills were collected during the four phases (ABCA) of the study on a tally data sheet during their 35 minute grammar class. Data analysis suggests that both social stories improved the students' demonstration of pragmatic …

The Effects Of Self-Management Strategies For High School Students With Disabilities, Michael Mccoach

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-management strategies to reduce the inappropriate calling out behavior and replace with an appropriate behavior, raising hands. A total of nine high school students attending a math class in the special education classroom participated in the study. A single subject research design with ABC phases was used. During Phase A, the observer recorded student calling-out behavior in each math class for four weeks as baseline data. During Phase B, students were given instruction on self-management to record their own behavior for four weeks. During Phase C, the self-management strategy …

A Study Of The Effects Of The Verbal Behavior Approach In Teaching Young Children With Autism, Laura Salvitti

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the implementation of the Verbal Behavior approach with young children with autism. The participants included eight boys between the ages of three and five who are currently placed in a self-contained classroom for students with autism. Using the Verbal Behavior protocol, baseline data was collected for all participating students in the area of verbal communication. Data was also taken for three students with violent or aggressive behaviors. During the intervention, when the Verbal Behavior approach was provided, goals were developed for each student and their performance data were collected …

Teachers' Attitudes Towards The New Jersey's Alternate Proficiency Assessment For Students With Severe Disabilities, Rachel L. Cranin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' attitudes towards the New Jersey's Alternate Proficiency Assessment (APA) for students with severe disabilities. A total of 25 special education teachers, who had experiences in the APA portfolio implementation, participate in this study. A survey including 25 questions on a five point Likert scale was provided to all participating teachers as well as an interview for six teachers to obtain their feedback in depth. Surveyed teachers reported that they were trained to prepare for their students' portfolios as required by the state. However, many concerns were raised by the teachers in …

The Effects Of Social Skills Training For High School Students With Disabilities, Tracy Pellegrino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the social skills program "Social Skills Training" for high school students with disabilities. Six high school students with multiple disabilities, attending a private special education school, participated in he study. Social skills training was provided in 12 sessions, 20 minutes per session, one session per day, three days a week for four weeks, and a follow-up of review activity for four weeks. A single subject designed with ABC phases was used. The student behaviors were observed and recorded prior to training as Baseline, during the training as Intervention, and …

An Investigation On Emergent Literacy Skills Of Preschool Children With Disabilities, Susan Biesz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between home literacy activities provided by parents and their children's emergent literacy skills. A total of 11 parents and their preschool children with disabilities participated in the study. A survey was provided to obtain parents' strategies used during parent-child joint reading activities in the home. The Emergent Literacy Skills Assessment was administered to participating children to evaluate their emergent literacy skills in six areas including identifying primary shapes and colors, letter identification, reciting the alphabet, identifying the parts of a book and identifying their own name in print. The surveyed …

The Effect On Teaching Problem-Solving Skills For Students With Learning Disabilities Using The Connected Mathematics Project, Melissa A. Axelsson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) for seventh-graders with learning disabilities in acquiring math problem-solving skills in the areas of comparisons, percents, ratios, and rates. A total of 10 middle school students in a small rural district participated in the study. The CMP unit, Comparing and Scaling, was taught to those students for six weeks. Four pretests and post-tests were given to evaluate their performance. A survey was provided to investigate their satisfaction with their learning experience in the CMP. All students gained scores, with an average increase of 55.72%. …

Teacher Perceptions On Student Portfolio Assessment And Implementation, Diane Caldwell

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the perceptions of teachers on portfolio development, implementation, and assessment for all students, specifically for students with disabilities. An interview was conducted individually with ten teachers working in diverse educational settings in southern Wisconsin.

A short survey gathered data on teacher demographics including gender, teaching experience, portfolio experience, and education. The interview protocol organized the questions into five sections: (1) Teacher Knowledge of Portfolios, (2) Developing and Implementing Portfolios, (3) Effectiveness as an Educational Tool and Influence on Instructional Practices, (4) Portfolio Legitimacy as an Alternative Assessment, (5) Student Roles and Responsibilities of Developing Portfolios.

The results …

A Study On High School Graduates With Disabilities: How Is Their Transition From School To Adulthood?, Dawn M. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the transition of high school students with disabilities after graduation, including their satisfaction with their preparedness for college, vocational school, employment options, and independent living, and the school's transition plan and services. A total of 125 high school graduates with disabilities, in the past five years, were included in this study and 50 were randomly selected for a phone interview to obtain their responses in detail. In this study, the effect of a student's transition plan and services was evaluated by the percentage of graduates attending college after high school and their …

Full-Day Kindergarten Versus Half-Day Kindergarten: Which Has More Advantages For Children With Disabilities?, Kathy V. Priest

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare academic and social skills of children with disabilities enrolled in both half-day and full-day kindergarten programs. Four boys, between the ages of 5 and 6, participated in the study. Of those, two were enrolled in a half-day program, and the other two were in a full-day program. Over a 4.5 month period, the children's academic skills were measured by the Kindergarten Readiness Test, and their behaviors were observed. A single subject research design with AB phases was used. Their scores were collected in three weeks as baseline data and their progress was …

What Are Elementary Students' Perceptions Of Their Homework? An Investigation On Student Achievement And Their Homework Completion, Charles Kenneth Morgenweck

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to determine if there was a relationship between the amount of time special education and general education elementary students spent on homework and their corresponding academic achievement. The participants of the study included 83 fifth through eighth graders from a rural elementary school. Of those 67 were general education students and 16 were special education students. A self-reported survey was provided to participating students, as well as an interview to eight randomly selected students and their parents. The results showed that there was a very slight correlation between the amount of time students …

The Effects Of Social Skills Training To Increase Appropriate Behaviors Of Elementary Students With Disabilities In Physical Education, Rachel P. White

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a social skills training program provided by the researcher during physical education classes. Four male students ages 7 and 8 participated in the study once a week for 45 minutes.

Direct observations were used to collect data on the targeted social skills of sharing, taking turns, saying "Please" and "Thank you", and displaying good sportsmanship before, during and after the training. A single subject design with ABC phases was used to record student behaviors.

The results indicate that all students increased the appropriate target behaviors and reduced inappropriate behaviors …

Homework Can Be Challenging For Students With Learning Disabilities, Regis A. Vitale Sr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how homework affected students with learning disabilities and their parents. A total of 14 students with learning disabilities in a Learning Resource Center of a middle school, together with their parents, participated in the study. A survey with 15 questions was provided to participating students and parents individually. The results showed that 57% of the students had difficulty in completing their homework and 24% of students responded that homework was unimportant, because of the type, length, support and the grading system. In addition, 57% of the parents reported homework was important for …

A Study On Employment Of Vocational School Graduates With Disabilities: How Is Their Transition From School To Adulthood?, Herbert H. Stevenson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the employment and independent living status of students with learning disabilities (LD) upon graduation from a vocational school, the Institute of Technology. A telephone survey of 56 graduates was developed based on the Post High School Plans Survey (PHSPS) to investigate their employment, living, and opinion of transition services. A total of 46 graduates responded to the survey questions. The results showed that 39% of the graduates were employed in the career major they had studied at the institute, 17% employed out of their major and 22% unemployed. Fifty four percent of …

What Are Teachers' Perspectives On Their Competence In Teaching Students With Disabilities?, Tara Wessel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate special and regular education teachers' perspectives on issues such as training, experience, and education in teaching students with learning disabilities in inclusive settings. Twenty kindergarten, 1^st, and 2^nd grade teachers employed in an urban school district participated in the study. Of those, 13 are regular education teachers, and 7 are special education teachers. They responded to ten survey questions. Five teachers were randomly selected to participate in an interview in school. The results showed that special education teachers demonstrated a greater deal of competence in teaching students with disabilities …