Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Teaching Pro-Social Skills To Help Young Children At Risk To Succeed In Inclusive Education, Susan M. Weston

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the pro-social skills program that the Valley Park Pre-K students have been exposed to. Ten typically developing 4-year-olds participated in this research study. A review of observations revealed that this pro-social skills program reduced problem behavior. These children greatly improved in their social skills. They were extremely cooperative and attentive during the teaching activities and lessons. They all willingly participated and were very interested in partaking in the games. I believe that this was a very successful program and could be implemented and integrated in other preschool classrooms and …

General And Special Education Teachers' Perspectives On Co-Teaching Practice And Barriers, Kristie L. Attardi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore special and general education teachers' perspectives of why co-teaching is not implemented effectively and how the problems can be resolved to lead to successful practice. The objectives of the study are: (a) to better understand the perspectives of both the general and special educators with respect to the barriers of co-teaching, and (b) to gather information on what means the general and special teachers have used or believe should use to overcome the barriers. Sixteen teachers of the eight co-teaching pairs within an elementary school participated in this study. These teachers completed …

Using Functional Behavioral Assessment To Support An Elementary Student With Challenging Behavior In A Self-Contained Classroom, Alan Leonardi

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this single-case study were to examine the effectiveness of interventions based on functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to positively support a student who had specific challenging behaviors and to determine if it was practical for a classroom teacher, the researcher, to utilize functional-assessment techniques. The researcher used indirect and direct-observation tools to identify three target behaviors, record frequencies and durations, and describe the antecedents and consequences of behaviors. Hypotheses based on functional assessment principles were used to design an intervention plan. The researcher used an A-B design to compare baseline frequencies of behaviors to post-intervention frequencies and administered …

Transition Services For Non-Mainstreamed Students, Rosemary F. Dobbins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vocational needs and transition services for non-mainstreamed high school students. Two transition needs and service surveys were conducted to 46 high school students under special education services and to 6 professionals who provide services. It was to determine if the services that the juniors and seniors were receiving would either prepare them to enter into the work force or to continue with their education. The findings show that there is some discrepancy between students and professionals about the existence of a transition plan, students' involvement in the plan-making process and their …

A Study Of The Factors Of Home Life That Are Common Among Students In Special Education Which May Influence Behavior Problems In School, Jenise R. Hillian

Theses and Dissertations

The two purposes of this study were to (a) determine if there are factors of home life that are common among students in special education which may influence behavior problems in school; and (b) evaluate possible solutions to help to decrease the behavior problems. Twelve students in special education at a high school in New Jersey were selected to be the subjects of the study based on their consistent occurrences of disciplinary problems. The parents of the students completed a questionnaire concerning home life and quality time spent on certain activities with the family. The results from the survey revealed …

A Study Of Overrepresentation Of Minorities In Special Education In Southern New Jersey Public Schools, Carol Phister

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an overrepresentation of minority students in special education in southern New Jersey Public Schools. Data was disaggregated to the district level for 25 randomly chosen public school districts in southern New Jersey. Data were reported on the total school population and the total number of students classified as eligible for special education. These data were further broken down in both categories (i.e. total school population and special education) by race/ethnicity and by gender. In addition, special education data were also reported by specific disability category. These data were presented …

A Study Of The Effect Of Social Skills Training On The Display Of Physical And Verbal Aggression In Students With Behavior Disorders, Antonio Singletary

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single subject design was to examine the effect of social skills training as displayed by students with behavior disorders. Social skills training was conducted with 12 to 14 year old multi-cultural students with behavior disabilities in a self contained learning environment. The results showed that social skills training did decrease or eliminate physical and verbal aggression for most students with behavior disorders, while a few students will need more training. The results are discussed with recommendations for future relevant research. The study lasted nine weeks.

A Study Of Teachers' And Administrators' Perceptions Of Collaborative Teaching, Ritaanna Bell

Theses and Dissertations

Laws such as The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) (1990/1997) and No Child Left Behind (2001) have emphasized a need to serve students with disabilities in the general education setting. This inclusion has prompted several models of collaborative instruction. This study investigates the current state of practice from the perspective of Co-teaching partners (general and special education teachers) and their administrators in one New Jersey School District. The foci are on perceptions of current experience, recommended collaborative practices, teacher preparation for co-teaching and administrator effectiveness of the collaborative teaching classroom. 114 teachers and 23 administrators from a mid-sized New Jersey …

An Investigation Of The Effect Of An Educational Program On Students' Decision To Use Birth Control, Christine King

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the "Making Proud Choices Curriculum" on students' knowledge and attitudes on the use of birth control. The students were assigned to an experimental or control group. Students took a pre and post test to measure their knowledge and attitudes on human sexuality issues. The experimental group received eight 1-hour training sessions on the Making Proud Choices Curriculum. Results indicated that after training the experimental group had increases in knowledge and more positive attitudes than the control group.

The Effects Of Success For All As A Whole School Reform On The Gepa Scores In A Particular Abbott District, Lisa R. Labbree

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what impact Success For All (SFA) had on the state standardized test scores of a school district that was identified as being low income and having poor test scores. Data from the literacy/language arts portion of the Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment were compared for the years 2001 and 2003. Students who took the test in 2001 were not exposed to SFA, whereas the 2003 students had three years of SFA. The test scores were analyzed by comparing percentage passed, mean scores, and mean differences. Results indicated that the test scores for special …

A Study Of A Self-Monitoring Intervention To Increase On-Task Behavior And Productivity, Susan A, Biglin

Theses and Dissertations

The subject of this study was an eleven year old Hispanic boy from an inner city elementary school. Subject was taught to observe his on-task behavior and rate his performance using a rubric. Intervention was conducted in a general education inclusion class consisting of six students with special needs and eleven regular education students. Inclusion model consisted of co-teaching during the mathematics class and small homogeneous grouping for Language Arts Literacy. Results of this study indicate that self-monitoring, when applied in a structured classroom with positive reinforcements, is an effective approach for students with mild disabilities to gain a better …

A Study Of The Effect Of A Homework Club On The Completion Of Homework By Students With And Without Learning Disabilities, Marlene Cosenza Rolfe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental multiple baseline study across subjects was to ascertain if a homework club with study skills training would enable students to improve their percentage of homework completion.

The subjects of this study included 16 elementary school students in a suburban, southern New Jersey school district. Twelve third grade and four fourth grade students with and without learning disabilities were included.

All students completed 20 days of intervention by attending a homework club with study skills training. Students self-monitored their percent of homework completed by keeping a weekly graph. These results were checked for accuracy by teachers. …

The Effect Of Stress On Female Collegiate Athletes' Alcohol Consumption, Holly M. Thornton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the relationship between the amounts of stress female student athletes experience with the amount of alcohol they consume at the collegiate level. It was hypothesized that the more stress a student athlete experiences the more likely she is to consume alcohol. Thirty-five female student athletes from the east coast of the United States filled out surveys assessing the amount of stress experienced and the amount of alcohol consumed, and proved the proposed hypothesis to be false. The Pearson Correlation Analysis was used and found that there was no significant relationship between …

An Analysis Of Improving Teacher Efficacy To Enhance Student Learning By Developing An Evaluation Instrument For Special Education Teachers, Sollie J. Pinkston-Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to design an evaluation instrument to reflect state standards and implementation of instructional performance criteria for special education teachers. It was designed to evaluate the performance of the specific job duties and instructional responsibilities required of special educators to determine if the instrument indicates teacher efficacy and provides adequate opportunities for feedback to improve performance. A total of 30 special education teachers from 4 different schools within the same school district participated in the study to evaluate the instrument. The respondents were categorized according to tenured or non-tenured status, and either co-teaching or self-contained …

Transition From School To Adult Life: What Have We Done To Support Students With Disabilities?, Ann Theresa Adams

Theses and Dissertations

As a legal component of an individual's IEP, a transition plan essentially should represent and include activities to prepare individuals with disabilities for postgraduate experiences. Activities should be individualized and relevant to each individual intended post school environments. Though a legal requirement, much research reports negatively on transition planning implementation. Some negative findings listed in research are as follows: lack of collaboration among individuals involved in the transition process; lack of student involvement in planning; ineffective design of students' goals and objectives; lack of linking students with adult agency providers for post graduate support services, and overall negative post school …

Teachers' Perspectives On Grade Retention: Is It Effective?, Joseph Terch Iv

Theses and Dissertations

Grade retention has been a problem since the mid-19th century when the concept of individual grades replaced the one room schoolhouse. Extensive research was reported on grade retention, its effect, and impact on the referral of students with learning disabilities, parent and teacher perspectives. The research findings on retention are inconclusive and questionable. The purposes of this study are (a) to evaluate the teacher attitudes towards grade retention, and (b) to compare the differences of teacher attitudes at elementary, middle and high school levels. A survey was developed and approximately 150 were distributed to teachers. Of these 150, 120 were …

The Effect Of Social Skills Training For Elementary Students With Learning Disabilities, Patricia M. Swenson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the social skills program "Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child" for elementary children with learning disabilities. Two first grade and two second grade students participated in the study. All students were classified as specific learning disabled and were included in the general education classroom with instructional support from a resource room. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions, using the "Skillstreaming" program 20 minutes per day, four days a week for 3 weeks, and weekly follow-up of review for 4 weeks with a total of 7 weeks.

A multiple baseline design …

Using Background Music To Reduce Off-Task Behaviors Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Lesa Deshield Givens

Theses and Dissertations

Many children with learning disabilities (LD) frequently exhibit attention and motivational problems as well as impulsive and physically aggressive behaviors (Hoy & Gregg, 1994). Thus, learning, for these students, is a great challenge and for teachers, providing effective instruction is a great challenge too. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of background music on the classroom behavior of students with learning disabilities. A sample of 7 students with learning disabilities from grades 4 and 5 participated in this study. They received instruction in the language arts and math in two (2) special education resource classrooms. A …

A Comparison Study On Self-Esteem Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Different Educational Placements, Kara A. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the self-esteem of students with learning disabilities who were being placed in different settings, such as inclusive classrooms, self-contained classrooms, and resource rooms. Students who were classified and eligible for special education under the category of specific learning disabilities participated in this study. Three groups of 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students with a total of 82 students were surveyed. The survey consisted of ten statements related to the students' perceptions of themselves. The surveys were administered individually to the three groups of students. …

A Study In The Effectiveness Of The Three To Get Ready Program In Promoting Language Learning, Megan Crank

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to: examine the effectiveness of a trimotoric approach using the Three to Get Ready program; to assist preschool children with disabilities to understand basic concepts and increase verbalization skills. Four students between the ages of 3 and 4 ½ years old participated in this study. They were identified as preschool disabled by school district personnel using state eligibility standards, according to the state administration code (2001). All participating children had IEP objectives in expressive language and communication. They attended a public school in Southern New Jersey and were enrolled in the class for children …

The Effects Of Self-Management And Positive Reinforcement On The Off-Task Behavior Of Students With Adhd, Cari Mcgaffney Bonner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of self-management strategies together with positive reinforcement to reduce the off-task behavior of children with ADHD. Three first and second grade students with ADHD and classified with a disability attending an elementary school participated in the study. Students were taught to self-monitor their behaviors in their special education classroom. They were trained to record their behaviors by completing a self-management form that consisted of 7 items at the end of each school day. Three off-task behaviors: out-of-seat, calling out and interrupting instruction were observed. The decrease of the student target …

Improving Children's Reading Comprehension Skills Through Parental Involvement, Aughtney D. Khan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parental involvement upon children's reading achievement. The study investigated whether children with learning difficulty would improve reading comprehension when parents became actively involved in their child's reading activities. Five 3rd and 4th grade students attending a small private school in southern New Jersey, together with their parents, participated in this family reading program. They were identified as average readers who were having difficulty in comprehension. Prior to the start of the family reading program, students were individually administered a pre-reading inventory. Each student read 3 selected books and answered …

The Effects Of Self-Esteem Instruction For Children With Disabilities, James Henderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of self-esteem instruction for children with disabilities. Academic achievement, attitudes toward school and learning, and attitudes toward peers were measured prior to ninety days of self-esteem direct instruction. A total of 72 children with disabilities from grade 1 to 3 in 3 elementary schools in the same community participated. They were divided into both control and experimental groups in 3 elementary schools with a total of 3 experiment and 3 control groups. Three special education teachers provided self-esteem direct instruction to the experimental groups according to the same lesson plans …

The Effects Of Social Skills Training To Improve Peer Acceptance For Students With Disabilities, Jennifer L. Knoll

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the effects of social skills training and social integration in play activities to facilitate the social competence and peer acceptance of students with multiple disabilities mainstreamed for non-academic subjects. Ten 3rd and 5th grade students with disabilities and 60 non-disabled 3rd graders participated in this study. The target students spent more than 65% of their day in a self-contained classroom and were included for non-academic activities such as homeroom, lunch and recess, and related arts.

A multidimensional approach to social skills instruction was provided to students with disabilities in their self-contained classroom. The students with disabilities …

The Effects Of Social Problem-Solving Training In An Inclusive Kindergarten Classroom, Kimberly R. Fontana

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was for students with disabilities in an inclusive setting to improve socially from social problem solving training. An eight-week social problem-solving training program (SPS) was administered to twenty-three children. Three participants took part in this study. One child was classified as being emotionally disturbed and two other children were classified with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The behaviors observed were: positive social interaction, the ability to make friends, and attending behavior during big group, small group, and playtime. The teacher and teacher assistant observed the three participants using a baseline analysis. Results did exhibit a …

The Effects Of Parent Training On Parent-Child Interactions In An Urban Community, Christina Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Parent training based on previous studies was provided in an urban community. The effectiveness of parent training for parent-child interactions during freeplay and the effectiveness of parent training to change parents' attitudes towards parent-child interactions were examined. Three parents, together with their children in a Head Start program participated in the study. A multiple baseline design across paired parent and child was used. Baseline data were collected through observations on parent and child interactions prior to the training, and intervention data were conducted after the training was implemented.

The results showed that all participating parents increased in verbal interactions with …

The Effect Of Computer-Assisted Instruction For Students With Central Auditory Processing Disorder Using The Fast Forword Program, Michelle L. Barrett

Theses and Dissertations

Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is a deficit in auditory perception that has been thought to be the underlying basis of many learning problems including specific reading and language disabilities. In today's classrooms many of the children with CAPD have been integrated into general education settings. These children need a program that helps them cope with or even overcome their learning difficulty. A computer program, Fast ForWord has been suggested for those students. The Fast ForWord program is a computer-assisted reading program that is linked electronically to Berkeley University via the Internet.

The purposes of this study were (a) to …

Handedness Distribution In A Transitional First Grade Population, Susan Paladino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was: (a) to investigate the distribution of handedness between T-1 students over the past five years compared to their same-age peers; (b) to investigate the distribution of handedness between T-1 boys, same-age boys, T-1 girls, and same-age girls; (c) to examine the kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward left-handed students; (d) to determine which, if any, instructional and classroom modifications the kindergarten teachers used.

One hundred and twenty-two elementary school children and five kindergarten teachers from a large suburban school district located in the northeastern United States participated in the study. The students completed an 8-item questionnaire …

The Effects Of The Direct Instruction With Computer-Assisted Instruction In Reading For Students With Learning Disabilities, Arlene M. Dowd

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were: (a) to examine the effects of using the Direct Instruction Reading Mastery program along with Computer-assisted instruction to enhance the students' vocabulary learning; (b) to examine the effects of using the Direct Instruction Reading Mastery program in reading along with Computer-assisted instruction to enhance the students' reading comprehension; (c) to evaluate if students display a higher level of satisfaction in reading when taught with the Direct Instruction Reading Mastery program followed with computer-assisted instruction. Nine 5th grade students with learning disabilities in a resource room participated in the study. A multiple baseline design across …

The Effects Of The Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs) To Decrease Impulsive Behaviors And Increase Self-Management Skills Of Children With Autism, Lori A. Rizzo-Wise

Theses and Dissertations

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an augmentative communication system used for children with autism and social-communication disorders.

Self-management is an intervention extensively documented for its effectiveness to improve behavior. Self-management programs typically involve some combination of two or more of the following strategies: self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and positive reinforcement. With limited knowledge of growth in self-management techniques among autistic children, the study of PECS and its influence on self-management may be a beneficial technique to increase appropriate behavior/classroom management.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the decrease of impulsive behaviors while teaching self-management skills to children with …