Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

The Effects Of Using Digital Texts On Chromebooks On The Reading Comprehension And Academic Engagement Of Elementary School Students With Learning Disabilities In The Inclusive Classroom, Kimberly Michelle Milchanoski-Bach

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of digital texts on Chromebooks as an assistive technology to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities in an inclusive classroom. Specifically, the study examined (a) the effectiveness of using digital texts on Chromebooks on reading comprehension, (b) the effectiveness of digital texts on Chromebooks to improve engagement and on-task behavior of students with learning disabilities, and (c) student satisfaction using digital texts in the inclusive classroom. Students displayed variation in performance on comprehension and academic engagement throughout the intervention. Findings suggest that digital texts may hinder the comprehension …

The Effects Of Graphic Organizers To Identify Main Idea And Supporting Details In Informational Text On Students With Learning Disabilities, Heather Coombs

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of graphic organizers to identify main idea and supporting details in informational text on students with learning disabilities. The participants were eight 6th grade students classified with learning disabilities in reading. This study implemented an ABAB design. Data was collected during the Baseline (A1), Intervention (B1), Baseline (A2), and Intervention (B2) phases. The independent variable for this study was the utilization of a graphic organizer to assist in identifying main idea and supporting details, as well as reading comprehension. The dependent variables were student identification of main idea and supporting …

The Effects Of Classical Music On Children With Learning Disabilities In A Sixth Grade Mathematics Classroom, Amy C. Mckeever

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this exploratory investigation were to (a) determine if sixth grade students would improve their math performance (in areas of staying on task, focusing, and completing work) while classical music was being played, (b) determine if students will report they feel differently and more successful in the mathematics classroom while classical music was being played, and (c) determine if students with learning disabilities will improve their mathematical performance (in areas of staying on task, focusing, and completing work) while classical music is being played. In this study, there were 19 students. The results show that classical music had …

Success Of Secondary Special Education Students Outside Of Classroom In Integrated Occupational Learning Environments, Erik Yost

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to highlight the benefits of vocational work outside of the classroom for special education students, primarily those who are in enrolled in secondary school. It also questions how effective a vocational setting is compared to a traditional classroom setting for special education students nearing the end of their initial educational track. It was hypothesized that special education students, primarily enrolled in secondary or high school, benefit from a learning environment outside of a normalized classroom setting due to the first-hand experience gained in a real-world setting is more conducive to long-term success after completing …

Using Classdojo To Promote Positive Behaviors And Decrease Negative Behaviors In The Classroom, Abigail Marquis Saeger

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, ClassDojo, a digital behavior management tool, was used in a classroom of second grade students. The purpose was to determine whether the application in conjunction with weekly goal setting could encourage students to display more positive behaviors and decrease the frequency of undesired behaviors. The participants in this study were 19 second grade students ranging from 7 years in age to 8 years in age, the mean age being 8 years old. Nine students were identified by their previous grade's teacher as low performing in literacy, math, or both, three were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder …

Effects Of Class-Wide Positive Behavior Supports On The Academics Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Valerie Ann Budd

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a classwide positive behavior support (CWPBS) plan on the behavior and academic performance of students in a basic skills math and science classroom. The study utilized an ABA withdrawal design to investigate the impact of a CWPBS on student engagement/time on-task and student attention seeking behaviors. Furthermore, the study investigated the satisfaction of basic skills students with the CWPBS. Results of the study reveal that four out of the six participants reduced off-task behaviors, and similarly, four of the six student participants demonstrated an increase in classwork completion with …

The Effect Of Implementation Of The Developmental Designs For Middle School (Ddms) Program On The Social Skills Of 7th Grade Students, Emmalene Hall Probst

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of implementing the Developmental Designs for Middle School (DDMS) program on the school connectedness of students with and without special needs in a seventh grade inclusion class in a middle school in a suburban community in southern New Jersey. Of the 23 participants in the study, 10 were students with special needs who were eligible for special education services and had individual education plans (IEPs). Of those 10 students, four qualified for IEPs under Other Health Impaired, four qualified under Multiply Disabled, and two qualified under Specific Learning Disability. The other thirteen students were general …

The Effects Of Interactive Word Walls On Students With Learning Disabilities In The Secondary Science Classroom, Casey Elizabeth Eustace-Debaun

Theses and Dissertations

Effective approaches for teaching vocabulary to various populations of learners is a topic of current research (Barr, Eslami, & Malatesha, 2012) yet little research is dedicated to students with learning disabilities in the science classroom. Within this study the interactive word wall was used as a tool to build vocabulary and to encourage usage of new subject-specific terminology. The experiment utilized quasi-experimental pre-post test comparison group design using interrupted time-series (Johnson & Christiensen, 2007) due to the inability to randomize participants and establish a clear control group. The data was collected across four units of terminology and with a student …

Effectiveness Of Electronic Visual Schedules On Task Completion And Independent Transitioning Of Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities, Katarina Radi

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents with developmental disabilities are often unable to navigate single daily tasks without depending on verbal prompts. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of electronic visual schedules on task completion and independent transitioning from one task to another. Four high school students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders participated. A single subject multiple baseline design was used for the study. During the baseline, students followed a paper based daily schedule. Independence in task completion and transitioning were measured. During the intervention, an application, First Then Visual Schedule High Definition, on an iPod was provided for each student. …

The Effects Of Kahoot! On Vocabulary Acquisition And Retention Of Students With Learning Disabilities And Other Health Impairments, Kathryn Elizabeth Ciaramella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Kahoot! on vocabulary acquisition, evaluate the effect of Kahoot! on vocabulary retention, and determine student satisfaction with using Kahoot! as an intervention. The seven sixth grade students participating in the study were classified with a learning disability or other health impairment and received instruction in a pull-out replacement language arts classroom. A single subject multiple baseline across participants design was utilized. During the baseline phase, data was collected to determine the percentage of vocabulary words each student acquired and retained. During the intervention phase, data was again collected and …

The Effectiveness Of Using Self-Monitoring, In Conjunction With A School-Wide Positive Behavior Support System, To Increase On-Task Behavior And Academic Performance Of Alternative High School Students With Disabilities, Joseph Wojceichowski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to: (a) examine the effectiveness of using self-monitoring in conjunction with SWPBS to increase on-task behavior, (b) examine the effectiveness of using self-monitoring in conjunction with SWPBS to increase academic performance of alternative high school students with disabilities, and (c) evaluate if students are pleased with self-monitoring in conjunction with SWPBS. Five alternative high school students classified with a variety of disabilities participated in this study. Using a single subject ABAB design, the intervention was implemented for 40 minute class periods in a pull-out replacement classroom. During Baseline 1 & 2, the special education …

Fire Safety Training Using Video Modeling In Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amy Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

Studies on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show limited research on topics involving safety, especially those that relate to fire evacuation procedures. Current research provides minimal information for understanding and practicing fire safety procedures. This topic requires more research to ensure that these children are able to understand and follow safety procedures during a fire to prevent and reduce injury and death. The research questions advanced in the study were: 1) Is video modeling an effective approach for teaching fire safety skills to children with ASD? 2) Does the teaching approach result in generalization of fire safety skills in …

The Effectiveness Of The Mnemonic Keyword Strategy On Math Vocabulary Learning For Students With Learning Disabilities, Lily Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to investigate (a) the impact of the mnemonic keyword strategy on the acquisition of mathematical vocabulary of students with learning disabilities, (b) the impact of the mnemonic keyword strategy on the retention of mathematical vocabulary of students with learning disabilities, and (c) the level of satisfaction that students with learning disabilities have with the mnemonic keyword method. Seven sixth grade students with learning disabilities participated in this study, which utilized a multiple baseline across participants design. During the baseline and mnemonic keyword intervention phases, students completed weekly assessments to measure their acquisition of mathematical …

The Effects Of Multisensory Phonics Instruction On The Fluency And Decoding Skills Of Students With Learning Disabilities In A Middle School Resource Classroom, Angela Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was: (a) to determine the effects of a multisensory phonics instruction approach on students with learning disabilities in a middle school resource room, and (b) to ascertain the impact of phonics instruction at the middle school level for fluency and decoding performance for this particular population. This study utilized a single subject multiple baseline across participants design. Study results show students demonstrated a large increase in performance in both fluency rate and decoding accuracy. The average growth for fluency rate was 35% and the average growth for decoding accuracy among students was 24%. Analyses revealed …

The Effects Of Daily Yoga Practice On The Academic Engagement And Achievement Of Middle School Students In A Special Education Classroom, Ellen C. Sternberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of daily yoga on the academic engagement and achievement of middle school students in a small group special education classroom. A single subject design with four phases was used. Students participated in daily yoga practice followed by a social studies class period. Engagement data was tracked through tallies across all phases. Academic achievement was assessed through vocabulary matching, multiple choice, and map quizzes given weekly. Additionally, students participated in a Likert scale based survey to assess their satisfaction with the daily participation in yoga. Results from this study suggest that …

The Effectiveness Of The Flipped Classroom For Students With Learning Disabilities In An Algebra I Resource Setting, Ashley Butterick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was: (a) to examine the effectiveness of using the flipped classroom model to improve the academic scores of students with a specific learning disabilities (SLD), (b) to examine the effectiveness of using the flipped classroom to improve rates of homework completion by students with a SLD and (c) to evaluate student satisfaction and perception of the flipped classroom intervention. Five high school students, four males and one female, with a SLD participated in the study. A single subject ABAB design was used. During the baseline phases, students received Algebra I instruction through a traditional classroom …

Utilization Of A School Specific Intervention Manual To Increase Teacher Perceptions Of The I&Rs Process And Reduce Special Education Referrals, Jacqueline Jade Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

One of the primary purposes of the Intervention and Referral Services (I & RS) process is to assist school staff in addressing students' learning, behavior, or health needs (N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 [a]). This study sought to improve I & RS process and student outcomes in a southern New Jersey elementary school that services students from grades Pre-Kindergarten through second grade. At the outset of the study, school administrators reported that an area of need was to formulate an intervention resource for the school's I & RS committee and teaching staff. It was determined that an online/interactive intervention manual would be created …

The Effects Of The Online Game Kahoot On Science Vocabulary Acquisition, Joseph Pede

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the online game Kahoot on science vocabulary acquisition of students with learning disabilities in a middle school inclusion physical science classroom. Specifically, this study investigated (a) student science vocabulary acquisition, (b) student focus and on task behavior, and (c) student satisfaction using the online game Kahoot. Vocabulary acquisition was measured in terms of weekly vocabulary assessments. Six middle school students, three males and three females, participated in this study. A single subject design with ABAB phases was utilized. Results show that all students increased their vocabulary assessment scores when …

The Effect Of Classwide Peer Tutoring On The Academic Performance And Critical Thinking Of Students With Learning Disabilities In An Urban Middle School Inclusion Social Studies Classroom, Andrew Robert Goulburn

Theses and Dissertations

This single subject study utilized an ABAB design to investigate the effect of Classwide Peer Tutoring (CWPT) on vocabulary acquisition and critical thinking. Three special education students in an urban middle school social studies classroom participated in the study. During the intervention phases of this ten week study, students participated in CWPT sessions prior to taking ten questions quizzes consisting of eight vocabulary and two critical thinking questions. Students took turns performing the roles of tutor and tutee. The results of the present study demonstrated small growth in the group means for both vocabulary and critical thinking. Individual results varied …

Effects Of Self-Regulated Strategy Development On The Persuasive Essay Writing Of Seventh Grade Students With Disabilities, Amanda Scrivani

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) on the persuasive essay writing of seventh grade students with disabilities. Specifically the study analyzed the effects of SRSD on (a) essay length, (b) number of essay parts, and (c) essay quality. In addition, student satisfaction with SRSD was evaluated for social validity. Eight seventh grade students, seven male and one female, participated in the study. All students were classified with either learning disabilities (LD) or other health impairment (OHI). A single-subject multiple baseline across participants design was used. During the baseline phase, students wrote …

The Effect Of The Video Game Quizlet On The Acquisition Of Science Vocabulary For Children With Learning Disabilities, Kelsey Claire Donovan

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine if using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom increases science vocabulary acquisition of students with learning disabilities, (b) to determine if using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom increases the student engagement/on-task behavior of students with learning disabilities, and (c) to evaluate student comfort and satisfaction in using the video learning game Quizlet in a middle school resource classroom. Six middle school students, three female and three male participated in the study. A single subject design with ABAB phases was utilized …

Can Sensory Strategies Reduce Tantruming To Increase Positive Familial Interactions?, Deborah Stacy Maule

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of sensory strategies in relation to a child's success in regards to enjoyment of his or her family life. This study was based on the sensory struggles of one little boy who spent much of his time tantruming. This was possibly due to his inability to self-calm so that he could find success instead of strife within his home environment.

This study took place over fifteen Early Intervention home visits in southern New Jersey, and parental questionnaires were referenced each time to note progress or regression in areas pertinent to the child's social emotional and …

Effects Of Implementation Of The Next Generation Science Standards On The Math Performance Of 5th Grade Students With Adhd, Robert Zimmer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to implement two components of the Next Generation Science Standards, gathering and reasoning, into the 5th grade math curriculum for students diagnosed with ADHD. Each student completed a 21st Century pre-assessment created by the My Math Text book (McGraw Hill, 2011) and modified by the instructor. This assessment contained 10 questions that were a culmination of the concepts that were covered in the upcoming chapter. A total of 8 students participated in the study. Of these, 4 were taught with the components of gathering and reasoning, while the rest of the 4 were involved …

Improving The Outcomes Of The I & Rs Process For Students With Exceptional Learning Needs, Erica Alimario

Theses and Dissertations

New Jersey schools are mandated to establish and implement a coordinated system to serve the general education population in order to improve student achievement. This system, known as I&RS (Intervention and Referral Services), is designed to implement pre-referral interventions for at-risk students through a collaborative problem-solving process, which takes place between school administration and staff. A pre-referral intervention web page, containing an overview of the I&RS process, as well as various forms and resources, was created and linked to a school's website for convenience and easy access. Thirty-two teachers at an urban school district in a low socioeconomic community in …

An Exploratory Investigation Of The Effects Of Power-Solving, A Social Problem Solving Method, On Students With Communication Impairments, Kylie Christine Pringle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine students with communication impairments ability to learn problem solving skills, using the POWER-Solving method, and the effect on positive social interactions. The results indicated that all 10 participants increased positive social interactions with their peers through teacher observations and pre and post rating scales. In addition, increases in the students' emotional vocabulary, as well as their ability to identify feelings were found. It seems that the POWER-Solving method would be beneficial in increasing positive social interactions of students with communication impairments. Future studies may focus on maintenance of their problem solving skills …

The Effects Of Computer Games On The Mastery Of Multiplication Facts For Students With Exceptional Learning Needs, Kristy Peters

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of multiplication computer games on mastering multiplication facts for students with exceptional learning needs. Three students will be participating in this research study. There is one male student and two female students, in Grades 3 and 4. Each of the three students has an individualized education plan (IEP) and receives three hours of instruction outside the regular classroom in a resource room setting. Two of the students have been identified as having Specific Learning Disabilities and one as having multiple disabilities. The students were selected for the study due to …

The Utilization Of Group Art Therapy As A Framework To Enhance Relationship Building Skills Among Emotionally Disturbed Students, Kerith Lynn Glass

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past four decades in the United States, the number of students that have been classified as Emotionally Disturbed has increased as well as a rise in these students' aggressive behavior, school violence, and expulsion from their home school districts (Mooney, Epstein, Reid, & Nelson, 2003). Historically, school professionals have employed behavior therapy strategies solely as a method to address students' negative behaviors and improve their overall school experiences (Crow & Small, 2011). These behavior therapy strategies include earning points for improved behavior that lead to school rewards. Although students show improvement after behavior therapy strategies are used, some …

Enhancing Teacher Efficacy And Pedagogical Practices Amongst General And Special Education Teachers, Michael E. Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research project was to collect both qualitative and quantitative data to acquire information in teacher efficacy from the viewpoint of teachers themselves so that pedagogical practices could be enhanced to better serve the special needs student population. In this study, the relationship between teachers' perception of their pedagogical knowledge and beliefs and teachers' sense of self-efficacy was examined. This particular study was aimed at helping general and special education teachers understand, develop, and implement pedagogical practices that would increase their ability to educate students with special needs. The findings from this study revealed a substantial …

Study Skills Self Monitoring For Adolescents With Adhd, Rachel Michelle Lesse

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to see how self-monitoring affected academic progress among high school aged students with ADHD. Students were monitored throughout their study skills class period, where they learned to monitor themselves by assessing a variety of factors, such as personal grades, missing assignments, and personal reflection. Of the three students monitored, two increased grades in most of their academic subjects, and all increased their homework production post intervention. The study did not go without various limitations, however future implications are discussed as to the importance of this study.

An Exploration Of Student Anxiety And The Degree Of Aba Services, Alexis Stavros

Theses and Dissertations

Children diagnosed with Autism may present numerous internalizing and externalizing behaviors. In order to help decrease problematic behaviors and promote positive behaviors, early intervention programs are often put into place. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a method of intervention based in operant conditioning, and is used to alter socially useful behavior (Kearney, A. 2008). Although ABA can be effective in decreasing problematic behavior, it could be argued that children diagnosed with Autism exhibit a range of symptoms that may be more internalizing in nature, and not particularly responsive to ABA (Herbert, Brandsma, 2002: Fryling, 2011). Research states that 84% of …