Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

The Benefits Of Music Education In The Mild To Moderate Special Education Classroom, Grades 3-5, Kimberly Lloyd

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Though extensive studies exist regarding the use of the arts in general education settings, a comparable amount of research is still needed to support the need for the use of the arts in special education settings. This research project investigated how a once a week music class impacted 3rd-5th grade students with mild to moderate disabilities in developing their academic, social and behavioral goals as identified in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This qualitative research study utilized multiple data forms, including classroom observations of both music and non-music instruction and interviews with teachers, artists, and parents throughout the course of …

The Benefits Of Music Education On Academic, Behavioral, And Communicative Skills With Middle School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sarah V. Foley

Scholarly and Creative Works Conference (2015 - 2021)

Music education has an important place for students with special needs. Through community based arts education programs, student benefits range from social to academic. The problem is that too often music education, among arts programs, is not taught in special education classrooms. The purpose of this study was to identify benefits that music education has on students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing specifically on academic, behavioral, and communicative skills.

A review of the literature revealed that music is beneficial to students in a variety of ways, when they are provided the opportunity to engage in music education. Through this …

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 …

Exploring The Use Of Technology To Support Literacy Of Sixth Grade Students With Reading Disabilities, Jaime R. Inman

Dissertations

University of Missouri-St. Louis

College of Education

Ed.D. Learning Community of Practice

Curriculum and Instruction

Exploring the Use of Technology to Support Literacy of Sixth Grade Students with Reading Disabilities

Jaime R. Ball-Inman

Abstract

The degree to which the utilization of technology supports the academic achievement of sixth grade students with reading disabilities was examined using a quantitative research design. The data analysis involved the results from the Educational Technology Assessment Program to measure achievement. The Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading (STAR) provided 2015-2016 scores regarding academic accomplishment of middle school students with reading disabilities. The central research …

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 …

Under-Representation In Autism: An Examination Of Educational Evaluation Practices For Black Students, Erika L. Ayanaw

Dissertations

Black students are negatively affected by disproportionality in school discipline practices, special education identification, and over-restrictive special education placement. Critical race theory is an operative framework that can be applied to increase understanding of such disproportionality (Blanchett, 2011). Through the use of qualitative retrospective chart review methods, this research investigated the under-representation of Black students with Autism in the context of educational evaluations, and from the Ordinariness and Social Construction Tenets of CRT. Analysis of 12 reports, six of Black students and six of White students, resulted in several findings: (1) Between group differences were present in terms of parental …

"A Narrower Than Necessary Focus": Jason Ellis And Benjamin Kearl On Special Education History: A Multilogue Response To Benjamin Kelsey Kearl And Jason Ellis, Donald Warren

Education's Histories

Donald Warren reads Benjamin Kearl's examination of special education history as an advance on the reconceptualization project,not a distraction from the historiographical work Ellis recommends.

Reading Fluency Instruction Of Students With Cognitive Disabilities Using A Multiple Probe Methodology, Sarah N. Merimee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Despite making up less than one percent of the student population, students with significant cognitive disabilities have the right to receive the best education possible. There is currently a paucity of research regarding effective reading instruction within a comprehensive approach, especially in the area of fluency. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there was a functional relation between repeated reading and choral reading and the word correct per minute oral reading of six high school students with significant cognitive disabilities. Additionally, the extent to which fluency impacts reading comprehension was also examined. Five of six participants demonstrated …

The Effects Of A Multi-Sensory Reading Program On Students With Disabilities, Lisa P. Myers

Specialist in Education Degree (Ed.S.) Theses

The Effects of Multi-Sensory Reading Program on Students with Disabilities. A study of three students with a reading disability and the effects of instruction in a multi-sensory reading approach.

Burning Out: The Effect Of Burnout On Special Education, Jordan Radford Mcdowell

Brigham Young University Education and Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Noncontingent Reinforcement And Decreasing Problem Behaviors With Students With Special Needs And Its Effect On Teacher Behavior, Leah D. Pritchett

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A pilot study of noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) was conducted using NCR statements to (a) decrease target behaviors, (b) increase unprompted praise statements from the teacher and decrease reprimands, and (c) increase proximity to the participants by the teacher implementing NCR. Data were collected using a single-subject research design on two participants and one teacher. The target behaviors were physical and verbal aggression and inappropriate gestures. Teacher behaviors targeted with this study were praise statements, reprimands, and proximity to students. The participants included were one 16-year-old student with an emotional behavior disability, one 18-year-old student identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) …

Ua10/1 Cec Newsletter, Mary Lloyd Moore, Executive Director, Wku Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex

CEC Publications

No abstract provided.

Using Explicit Social Skills Instruction Combined With A Restricted Interest Group To Increase The Frequency Of Social Skills In Students With Autism, Krista Shea Cummings

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The literature suggests that adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are characterized by restricted interests and deficits in social skills (White, Keonig, & Scahill, 2007). Due to the deficits associated with ASD, adolescents with ASD do not typically engage in social interactions at a rate similar to their same age typicallydeveloping peers (Wagner, Cadwallader, Garza, & Cameto, 2004). This study assessed whether explicit social skills instruction in a restricted interest group in an afterschool club setting increased the frequency of specific social skills in two students identified with ASD. A multiple baseline experimental design was implemented across behaviors. During baseline …

The Effect Of Electronic Text Reading On Reading Comprehension Scores Of Students With Disabilities, Rachel Krieger

All Capstone Projects

The growing use of technology in the classroom necessitates investigation into the effect technology has on learning. This causal-comparative study examined whether students with disabilities comprehend text better when it is presented electronically or in print. Thirty-one 11th and 12th grade students with varying disabilities read and answered questions on five print and five electronic reading comprehension passages. The results, examined using paired t-tests and Cohen’s d effect sizes, determined that the participants scored significantly better on electronic comprehension passages than print. Similar additional analyses were conducted on mean scores of students with a learning disability, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, and …

Reading Comprehension And Self Efficacy, Brittany Conway

All Capstone Projects

This study investigated whether or not there is a correlation between the self-efficacy of high school students and their reading comprehension scores at Smith High School. There were 24 students that participated in this study. Eight of those students were in special education and have an identified reading disability, eight were students in general education, and eight were in honors level reading. There were two instruments used in the study. One instrument used in the study was the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) Assessment (Northwest Evaluation Association, 2017), which was used to measure reading comprehension. The Reader Self-Perception Scale (Henk …

Physical Activity And Movement In The Classroom Setting, Coral Santos

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Around the world historically special needs persons were not always recognized as equals. Physical activity has multiple benefits physically and mentally to promote personal growth. This study examined the implementation of physical activity energizers to enhance class-based learning. The Aoga Fiamalamalama School for the intellectually handicapped was the site for this study which examined programs implemented in the organization to help Samoans with special needs. This research was based around observations and analysis of the energizers and the effects of these activities on approximately 27 students’ active learning in the classroom setting and the feedback from administration and staff. Six …

Enhancing Early Interventionists' Abilities To Support Caregiver Learning Through Multi-Component, Technology-Mediated Inservice Professional Development, Dana C. Childress

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

In order to have qualified service providers from a variety of disciplines (e.g., early childhood special education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology) who are well-prepared to provide effective early intervention (EI), high quality professional development is needed that is easily accessed by service providers and enhances their abilities to implement specific, evidence-based intervention practices with children and families. Because of the family-centered nature of EI, service providers must be knowledgeable about how to support caregiver learning during EI visits, using practices that are grounded in adult learning theory. The case study research project described in this dissertation addresses those …

General Education Teachers’ Attitudes About Inclusion, Larry D. Monje

Dissertations

This study uses Q Methodology and semi-structured interviews to examine general education teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about inclusion of students with disabilities in their general education classrooms. As reported in the 38th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, 2016, 94.8% of students with disabilities are being educated in general education classrooms for some part of the school day (U.S. Department of Education, 2016). For this reason, it is important to understand general education teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about the inclusion of students with disabilities.

In this study there were 50 Q …

Differentiated Instruction For All Students In English Language Arts, Philip M. Zola

Education Masters

Teachers are challenged to meet the needs of every student in their classroom and deliver instruction that gives students the opportunity to learn at their highest potential. In any given classroom, there are “at risk students,” “grade level students,” and “accelerated students” that need to have their specific learning needs met. Specifically in English Language Arts, teachers have a wide spectrum of abilities they need to accommodate for. All three levels of learners should be pushed to their fullest potential and challenged equally. By administering a survey to several schools in a suburban Rochester, New York community – data was …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Social Emotional Learning Standards, Stacy N. Fischer

All Capstone Projects

Today’s students do not come to school with the traditional set of academic proficiencies and emotional competence they once used to. In recent years, Social Emotional Learning has gradually gained a positive reputation in the educational community. The purpose of this investigation was to assess teachers on their knowledge and use of the Social Emotional Learning Standards, as well as their perspectives on the importance of these standards in the educational development of their students. A small pool of licensed teachers from the Cook County, Illinois area were polled by means of an electronically disbursed, anonymous survey. The overall results …

Perception Of Hearing Loss In Orchestral Musicians, Eva Gebel, Sherri M. Jones, Julie A. Honaker

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Musicians are at risk for hearing loss due to noise exposure and presbycusis (1, 2). Compared to non‐musicians with hearing loss, musicians with hearing loss show improvements in speech understanding in a background of noise, but by self‐report do not perceive an advantage (3). This project aimed to explore this further by studying six orchestral musicians aged 42‐64 with a perceived hearing loss. Scores on a variety of assessments were compared to published normative data and a survey was also completed. No significant differences were found between the musicians and the normative data. Survey responses indicated that overall, the musician …

Problematizing Reflexivity, Validity, And Disclosure: Research By People With Disabilities About Disability, James Sheldon

The Qualitative Report

In this article, I explore the potential for people with disabilities to conduct research about disability in education. Drawing upon Rasmussen (2006), I consider whether merely sharing one aspect of identity with participants is enough to gain an emic (insider) perspective when doing research. I argue that not only should we problematize our own identity, but that research should change the researcher’s own identity and that the degree to which research promotes this change is an essential aspect of formal validity of the research. Finally, I propose some practical implications and offer some advice for researchers conducting research on disability.

Tiers 1, 2 & 3 Intervention: Postsecondary Transition Planning, Shir Palmon, Natalie Hoff, Allison Heifner, Reece L. Peterson

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Conclusion

Postsecondary transition planning is how schools assist students in preparing for postsecondary education or employment after high school. This vital educational component is required in IEPs for any student with disabilities, aged 16 and older. However, transition planning is also helpful for other students who are at-risk for dropping out or are uncertain about what they want to do after high school. There are several useful evidence-based transition practices, including the completion of vocational education coursework, involving students in their IEPs and or transition planning process, and changing program structures to those that have proven to be effective in …

Including Students With Disabilities In Education For All: Lessons From Ethiopia, Franck Brittanny, Devin K. Joshi

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This article addresses the inclusion of students with disabilities into the Education for All and Sustainable Development Goals agenda through a case study of Ethiopia, a country aiming to promote inclusive education amidst rapidly rising school enrolments. The article begins with a review of debates concerning inclusive education in the Global South and the strategy taken by Ethiopia. It then examines how inclusive education is currently being implemented drawing on recent fieldwork at rural and urban schools in Tigray province. Through interviews, participant observation, and focus groups, we found that teachers and school administrators are generally in favour of mainstreaming …

Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy And Social Interactions Within Families And Their Child With Autism, Christina Latterner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to answer the question, in what ways does ABA therapy impact social interactions between the parents and their child with autism? It also addresses past studies which focused on autism, ABA therapy and the family dynamics with a special needs child. The research included one family, with a five-year old child diagnosed with autism. Mixed method research was used, focusing on interviews with parents and data collection. Interviews were conducted with the mother and father which focused on their family’s social interactions before, during and after one year of therapy. Data collection tools …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Examining Parents' Perceptions Regarding The Enrollment Of Children With Learning Differences In An Nild Program In A K-12 Christian School, Wendy Wallis Bayer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of parents who have a child with learning differences who has been enrolled in a National Institute for Learning Development (NILD) program in a K-12 Christian school. The central phenomenon is, “What are the experiences of parents who have a child with learning differences who has been enrolled in an NILD program in a K-12 Christian school?” Socio-cultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978) and social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) guide this study. Ten co-researchers, who have children with learning differences who have attended at least one K-12 Christian school and …

A Study On The Effectiveness Of A Pilot Inquiry-Based Middle School Science Program On Non-Cognitive Outcomes And Academic Achievement, Rui Meira Dionisio

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The randomized research study assessed the effect of an inquiry-based science (IBS) program on non-cognitive outcomes and academic achievement. The study was the result of a grant that was awarded by Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM), a program affiliated with Montclair State University in conjunction with Bristol-Myers Squibb, and part of the New Jersey Statewide Systemic Initiative (NJSSI). The NJSSI is a partnership of schools, districts, colleges and universities, science centers, businesses, and museums dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of science, mathematics, and technology in New Jersey. The quantitative research study utilized an IBS instructional program …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Their Knowledge In Special Education, Maria Banda Roberts, Federico R. Guerra

Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications

With the Every Student Succeeds Act continuing to legislate accountability for special education and Hispanic students, the appropriate content in principal preparation programs relevant to successful leadership of special education programs is vital. This mixed methods study analyzed the survey responses of 84 principals in South Texas from predominantly Hispanic schools to determine the principals’ perceptions regarding their legal, foundational, and contextual knowledge of special education and their suggested topics for inclusion in curriculum content of principal preparation programs to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement and supervise special education programs. Results indicated that the principals’ greatest …

Job Retention And Job Satisfaction At The Behavior Therapist Level Working In Aba Companies In The Home Setting, Melissa M. Dauster

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this relational study was to identify and compare the factors related to job satisfaction and job retention as perceived by behavior therapists working with children diagnosed with autism. A second purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the level of burnout related to job retention, and the intrinsic and extrinsic level of motivation related to job satisfaction as perceived by Behavior Therapists working with students with autism. A further purpose of the study is to describe the improvements in the work place that behavior therapists working with students with autism identified as necessary …