Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Talking Tolerance Inside The “Inclusive” Early Childhood Classroom, Karen Watson

Occasional Paper Series

Provides an inside look into what the Australian government calls “inclusive learning communities.” This term emerges from a national early-years learning framework that highlights ability and disability as diversity. Following the course of a six-month period in three “inclusive” early childhood classrooms, Karen offers an account of the transformative potential of inclusion in contrast to the harmful effects of teaching tolerance. Tolerance, as Karen’s study reveals, preserves the dualism of normal versus abnormal (or Other) and hinders critical reflection about ableist assumptions.

The Unfolding Of Lucas’S Story In An Inclusive Classroom: Living, Playing, And Becoming In The Social World Of Kindergarten, Haeny S. Yoon, Carmen Llerena, Emma Brooks

Occasional Paper Series

Tells stories about a vibrant kindergartner named Lucas through the viewpoints of his mother (Emma), teacher (Carmen), and teacher-educator (Haeny). In this multi-voiced story, the narrative centers on Lucas and shifts outward toward those orbiting Lucas’s wondrously playful universe. The magic of Lucas’s unfolding story is in the ways it disrupts conventional discourses about labels, interventions, and imposed meanings of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Rethinking "Those Kids" : Lessons Learned From A Novice Teacher's Induction Into In/Exclusion, Louis Olander

Occasional Paper Series

Argues for reframing inclusionary practices as pedagogies for equity that attend to the intersectional dynamics of race, class, and disability. He also encourages more local control over the implementation of inclusionary classroom practices.

Eclipsing Expectations: How A Third Grader Set His Own Goals (And Taught Us All How To Listen), Diane L. Berman, David J. Connor

Occasional Paper Series

A description of an illuminating journey through the eyes of a parent, Diane, who wanted a more inclusive experience for her son Benny. For Diane and Benny, this meant becoming meaningful participants not only in Benny’s own classroom community but in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings that determined his educational goals. David uses a DSE framework to analyze and highlight the importance of context, as opposed to focusing on the disability condition, in enacting inclusionary practices. The authors argue for an “adhocratic” model of education that views children, educators, and parents as allies.

Disability Studies In Education: Storying Our Way To Inclusion, Joseph M. Valente, Scot Danforth

Occasional Paper Series

No abstract provided.

Students With Intellectual Disabilities Accessing Postsecondary Education Settings: Promoting Education Equity: Seeing Students For Their Ability First And Supporting Their Development As Contributing Members Into A Diverse Society, Kathleen N. Mercier

Dissertations

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine and describe the lived experiences of seven students with intellectual disabilities (ID) participating in two postsecondary education (PSE) settings in Southern California that were aligned to the Think College Standards-Based Conceptual Framework for Inclusive Higher Education.

Through a qualitative approach of ethnography, the researcher examined various stakeholders’ awareness and ability to support students with ID in higher education settings in an effort to support future development of PSE programs for students with ID. Methodology tools included classroom observations, individual interviews, and examination of artifacts from the sample of PSE settings in …

Turning Teachers Into Action Researchers In Their Classrooms, Dusty Columbia Embury, Laura S. Clarke

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Action research is often called the teacher’s research and often feels like a common sense approach to solving problems, but not all pre-service teachers begin careers knowing how to use this methodology to improve their own practice. This article offers a rationale for teaching pre-service teachers the skills and action research methodology as a tool for professional improvement based on the experiences of the authors engaging in a reflective process for teaching. While not generalizable, it is hoped that lessons learned may be applied by other faculty in teacher education programs.

Turning Teachers Into Action Researchers In Their Classrooms, Dusty Embury Columbia, Laura S. Clarke

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Action research is often called the teacher’s research and often feels like a common sense approach to solving problems, but not all pre-service teachers begin careers knowing how to use this methodology to improve their own practice. This article offers a rationale for teaching pre-service teachers the skills and action research methodology as a tool for professional improvement based on the experiences of the authors engaging in a reflective process for teaching. While not generalizable, it is hoped that lessons learned may be applied by other faculty in teacher education programs.

Caregivers' And Professionals' Perceptions On Collaboration In Early Intervention, Sara J. Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

The current study explored the perceptions of collaborative practices and possible methods to overcome the challenges identified by caregivers and professionals in Early Intervention by documenting the perspectives of four multidisciplinary team members. This qualitative study included in-depth interviews with a caregiver, service coordinator, occupational therapist, and developmental therapist/hearing specialist whom all shared an Individual Family Service Plan within the past year. Data analysis revealed five major themes that included: 1) communication, 2) best practices, 3) co-treating, 4) knowledge, and 5) respect. Future research ideas and implications for caregivers, early intervention professionals, early intervention program managers, and agencies employing early …

Turning Teachers Into Action Researchers In Their Classrooms, Dusty Columbia Embury, Laura S. Clarke

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Action research is often called the teacher’s research and often feels like a common sense approach to solving problems, but not all pre-service teachers begin careers knowing how to use this methodology to improve their own practice. This article offers a rationale for teaching pre-service teachers the skills and action research methodology as a tool for professional improvement based on the experiences of the authors engaging in a reflective process for teaching. While not generalizable, it is hoped that lessons learned may be applied by other faculty in teacher education programs.

Chapter 11: Teaching Mathematics To Students With Disabilities From Diverse Backgrounds, Delinda Van Garderen, Apryl L. Poch, Christa Jackson, Sarah A. Roberts

Special Education and Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the literacy and numeracy skills that are distributed across a population will have significant impact on economic and social outcomes. In particular, the “higher the levels of inequality in literacy and numeracy skills … the greater the inequality of distribution of income” (OECD, 2013, p. 26). However, although literacy skills are important, it has been suggested that poor mathematical skills may be more of a handicap than poor literacy skills, especially in the workplace (Butterworth, 2005; McCloskey, 2007). As McCloskey (2007) notes, “… quantitative concepts and information are involved in …

The Impact Of The Child’S Age And Severity Of Disability On Parents Of Children With Intellectual Disabilities’ Psychological Needs In The United Arab Emirates, ثناء جمال عبد العزيز محمد

Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the psychological needs of parents of children with intellectual disabilities and to examine the impact of the child’s age and severity of disability on parents’ psychological needs in the United Arab Emirates. The study sample consisted of 690 parents of children with intellectual disabilities. The study was conducted during the academic year 2016-2017. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to answer the research questions. The results of this study revealed that parents of students with intellectual disabilities had many psychological needs. In addition to that, there were significant differences in parents’ psychological …

Using Video In A Collaborative Teacher Team Within A Special Education School: A Case Study, Belinda Akua-Kisiwaa Amoako

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation focused on studying ways in which a mandated professional development policy influenced teachers’ professional learning within a special education school and within a single collaborative teacher team. The study explored Advance, the teacher evaluation system introduced by the NYCDOE to support teaching and learning. An emphasis of the research was utilizing video as a professional learning tool to gather specific evidence in conjunction with the Danielson Framework for Teaching to support teachers of students with disabilities. The primary methodology driving the study was case study; however, ethnography and action research were used for data collection analysis. Video …

The Theory Of Special Education And The Necessity Of Historicizing: A Multilogue Response To Benjamin Kelsey Kearl And Donald Warren, Jason Ellis

Education's Histories

Jason Ellis responds to Benjamin Kelsey Kearl and Donald Warren's discussion of the use of philosophy in the history of special education.

Tennessee Teacher Perspectives On Response To Instruction And Intervention, Donald Clinton Durley

Student Theses and Dissertations

This case study examined the perceptions and concerns of Tennessee high school English and math teachers regarding the implementation of RTI2 within a general secondary education using the theoretical framework of the concerns-based adoption model (CBAM) proposed by (Hall, 1979). Specifically, the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoC-Q) portion of the CBAM was utilized. Data regarding participants’ stages of concern about RTI2 implementation were collected from teachers across the state. Perceptions on RTI2 implementation practices were studied for 223 secondary teachers. The data was used to determine if there was statistically significant differences in the Stages of Concern for Tennessee high …

Adapted Shared Storybook Reading: A Study Of Its Application For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders And In Home Settings, Andrea Golloher

Faculty Publications

This study investigated the use of an adapted shared reading protocol with three children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in home settings. Using a multiple baseline across participants design, this investigation replicated and extended a previous investigation by Browder et al. to children with ASD and home settings. In addition, this study was to investigate whether individual components of the intervention package contributed to its overall effectiveness. Finally, the extent to which the participating children generalized their ability to engage in adapted shared reading with the researcher to shared reading with their parents was explored. The results of the investigation …

“Science Is Not My Thing”: Exploring Deaf Non-Science Majors’ Science Identities, Cara L. Gormally, Amber Marchut

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing are underrepresented in science majors, yet we know little about why. Students from other underrepresented groups in science—women and people of color—tend to highly value altruistic or communal career goals, while perceiving science as uncommunal. Research suggests that holding stereotypical conceptions about scientists and perceptions of science as uncommunal may strongly hinder recruitment into science majors. This study sought to explore the science identities of students who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing signers. The study focused on non-science majors in bilingual (American Sign Language and written English) biology laboratory courses. This study is the …

Probing The Enactment Of Reading Miscues: A Study Examining Reading Fluency, Edward Lehner

Publications and Research

Subsequent to the National Reading Panel’s (2000) report, more researchers have been examining the role that reading fluency plays in the development of a child’s reading skills. This study investigated the efficacy of the National Reading Panel’s research claim that a child learns reading fluency skills mainly through phonics and decoding instruction. Using a methodology to track the source of reading miscues, this paper demonstrates that a student’s cultural and semantic knowledge of text vitally influences the development of reading fluency skills. Specifically, the findings suggest that a child culturally enacts reading fluency both through graphophonic and semantic knowledge of …

Perceptions Of Occupational Therapy Involvement In School Mental Health: A Pilot Study, Susan M. Cahill, Brad E. Egan

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Mental health providers outside of occupational therapy, including those who work in school systems practice, often do not fully understand the contribution that occupational therapy practitioners can make to the delivery of mental health services.

Method: The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study is to describe how instructional support staff from one special education cooperative learned about occupational therapy’s role in school mental health and to explain how this education changed the instructional support staff members’ perceptions regarding the involvement of occupational therapy practitioners in school-based mental health services.

Results: Instructional support staff's perceptions about …

Enhancing Student Altruism Using Secure Attachment Messages (Sam) In Lecture, Kelly Campbell, Stephany Ramos

Psychology Faculty Publications

In this brief report, we examine whether students’ (N=230) willingness to help individuals in distress (altruism) would be augmented after viewing Secure Attachment Messages (SAM) during lecture in a college racism course. Students were presented with SAM in alternating weeks as part of the PowerPoint presentation slides. In each of the weeks, their likelihood of engaging in altruistic behaviors was assessed using hypothetical scenarios and a student response system, Top Hat Monocle. We predicted that the SAM would prompt students to think of their attachment figures and enhance their feelings of security, which would increase their willingness to engage in …

What Is The Cause For The Suspension Disparity Between Caucasians And Students Of Color, Pamela Marie Beatty

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to showcase the ineffectiveness of suspension upon students and to illustrate the disparity in the use of suspension and expulsion towards African American students when compared to their peers. Studies show that although African Americans make up a small portion of the student population, they make up a majority of the suspended student population. The impact of suspension and expulsion on African Americans can leave them alienated and severely hamper not only the academic future of the students, but also the adult future. Research shows that students who are frequently suspended have lower wages, …

A Review Of Anxiety In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Hannah A. Betz

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review with application thesis explores the prevalence of anxiety in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and dives into differentiating anxiety symptoms from ASD symptoms and provides tools for teachers to help reduce anxiety in the classroom. There is a high percentage of individuals with ASD that have co-occurring anxiety disorders, significantly impacting their everyday lives. Many characteristics of ASD present similarly to anxiety symptoms therefore, making it more difficult to differentiate between the two disorders. This paper highlights different symptoms, factors contributing to diagnosis, and treatment options for children and adolescents with ASD and anxiety. A review …

Auditory Processing Deficits In Students With Autism And Research-Based Instructional Strategies, Jamie Carpenter

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to accurately process and interpret auditory information, for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or ‘ASD’, is often difficult. Here we review behavioral, neurophysiological and imaging literature pertaining to this field with the aim of providing a comprehensive account of how auditory processing deficits impact individuals with ASD, in order to develop effective educational tools. Literature was sourced from peer-reviewed journals published over the last two decades which best represents research conducted in these areas. Findings show substantial evidence of atypical processing of auditory information in subjects with ASD at behavioral and neural levels. Abnormalities are diverse, ranging from …

Understanding The Impact Of The Student-Teacher Relationship In Relation To Special Education Needs, Kristina Marie Hall

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2012, more than six million students in the United States were identified as having an educational disability and receiving special education services. Students with disabilities are more likely than their general education peers to experience low grades, class failure, and suspensions. Positive student-teacher relationships have been associated with increased academic achievement and school connectedness, as well as associated with decreased negative behaviors. Research indicates that students value teachers who are caring, accessible to students, open and honest, and display a sense of humor. Through this literature review and application materials, the following reviews the impact of student-teacher relationships and …

Supports And Strategies For Learners With Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder., Lamin Khan

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will discuss the need for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) interventions. This researcher has reviewed a number of articles concerning programming for ADHD students. ADHD is a very pervasive disorder affecting many learners. This researcher works in an alternative school district in Minnesota. Many of our students have ADHD and many other significant disabilities. It has been observed that ADHD students are affected by inattention, focus, and academic challenges with reading, math and writing. Further, students with ADHD have social emotional needs and other behavioral needs. Therefore, this thesis writer will discuss in length strategies that are effective …

Guided Play: A Pedagogical Approach To Teaching, Candace Jill Johnson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Guided play is the midpoint between direct instruction and free play. It provides a learning goal with teacher scaffolding which allows children to control their learning (Weisberg, et al., 2013). Guided play learning experiences combine child-directed play with a focus on learning targets set forth by an adult. Guided play enhances the discovery and achievement of learning goals by allowing children to explore in an uninhibited setting. Guided play promotes critical social and emotional skills that are necessary for child development such as problem-solving abilities. Guided play is shown to increase mathematical performance, especially in young students. Literacy is another …

A Panoramic View Of How Physical Activity Impacts Students With Disabilities, With An Emphasis Focused On Students On The Autism Spectrum, Alyssa K. Lane

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today a majority of adolescents do not participate in the recommended daily level of physical activity. Students with disabilities, including students on the Autism Spectrum scale, especially lack participation in physical activity. The benefits of regular physical activity include better physical health, improved cognition, and increased social skills. However, a significant number of barriers prevent students from participating in physical activity. Lack of physical activity has severe consequences for adolescents. Students may be more susceptible to illness, develop poorer motor skills, have reduced focus ability, focus resulting in emotional hardships and fewer opportunities to socialize with peers. Educators, family, friends, …

Self-Efficacy And Adolscent Development: How Educators Can Foster Its Growth, Jackie Lea Pieper

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

All teachers want their students to graduate high school. All teachers want their students to be successful in the classroom. All teachers deal with students that appear to give up or simply not try at all. Students, especially as they enter high school, have built their self-efficacy throughout their educational career. Students walk into high school with a very different beliefs about how well they are going to do, especially on a particular subject. This literature review highlights how self-efficacy influences learning, goals, and overall academic success of adolescents. The review also highlights what educators and schools can do to …

Ace’S And Trauma In Education, Richard Santangelo

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The author of this paper has worked in special education since 1988, primarily with Emotional and Behavioral Disordered (EBD) students. Throughout the author's career there have been many conversations about why some students display EBD behaviors. Through many years of teaching and numerous professional conferences, it was not until January 2016 that the author heard about ACES. This piqued the author's curiosity. Dr. Felitti spear-headed a study in the mid-1990s out of a clinic in Southern California. As a practicing physician focusing on weight loss he began questioning clients about their social history. Felitti found that his clients experienced trauma …

Youth In Special Education: The Risks And Implications Of Entering The Juvenile Detention System, Natalie M. Sell

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students who are serviced under the umbrella of special education are disciplined more frequently and with more exclusionary methods compared to their general education peers. A higher numbers of minority students than represented in the general population are in special education, specifically, the Emotional and Behavior Disorder category. The differences in discipline and the disproportionate number of minority students in special education lead to a negative impact on learning and achievement, an increase in anti-social behavior, and ultimately a higher likelihood of entering the juvenile justice system. Systems such as an ecological approach to classroom management, tiered behavior support interventions, …