Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Teaching A Picture Exchange Communication System To Young Adults With Moderate To Severe Disabilities Using The Pecs Phase Iii Application, Kristen L. Kapp

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching a picture communication system to students with moderate to severe disabilities using the PECS Phase III application. A multiple probe across participants design was used to conduct the study and evaluate the effectiveness of the training on the PECS Phase III application. The results of the study demonstrated that teaching a picture communication system on an augmentative and alternative communication device is effective in the school setting with young adults with moderate and severe disabilities.

Developing Technology Applications For Improving The Problem-Solving Skills Of Middle School Students With Learning Disabilities, Samuel Y. Choo

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The achievement gap in mathematics education continues to be a concern in the United States. Students with disabilities (SWD) are often excluded from the general education curriculum or the least restrictive environment due to their low performance in mathematics and disability-related deficits. Legislative and professional reports have addressed the needs of SWD by promoting evidence-based math interventions using instructional technology. However, the focus of many math interventions with instructional technology has been limited to basic facts instruction or drill-and-practice routines. In this study, I developed a curriculum-based technology tool called Anchored Instruction with Technology Applications (AITA) based on pedagogical concepts …

Examining The Efficacy Of Co-Teaching At The Secondary Level: Special Educators' Perceptions Of Their Productivity As Co-Teachers, Kera B. Ackerman

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

For decades, federal legislation has mandated the education of students with disabilities to be in their least restrictive environment. Nationally, this has resulted in more than 60% of students with disabilities receiving the majority (80%) of their education in the general education environment. To provide special education services in the general education environment, co-teaching, commonly defined as two educators with distinct expertise providing instruction in a common setting, is often used. The purpose of this non-experimental cross-sectional survey study was to examine special educators’ perceptions of their productivity in co-taught settings and the degree to which their perceptions were related …

Using A System Of Least Prompts And A Graphic Organizer To Teach Academic Content To Students With Moderate Intellectual Disabilities, Kristen B. Dieruf

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of a system of least prompts procedure and use of a graphic organizer to teach an academic standard for elementary students with moderate intellectual disabilities. A multiple probe (days) across participants design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of using a system of least prompts and a graphic organizer to teach students how to compare two characters from adapted text. The results showed a system of least prompts and the use of graphic organizer was effective in teaching an academic standard for students with moderate intellectual disabilities.

Visual Activity Schedules With Embedded Video Models To Teach Laundry Skills To Adults With Intellectual Disability, Charity G. Watson

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Research using visual activity schedules (VAS) with embedded video models (VM) has been effective to teach novel skills to children and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). However, there is limited research using VAS/VM to teach adults with ID. The purpose of the current study was to determine if VAS/VM could be used as a self-instructional tool for adults with ID to increase independence in laundry skills. Results from the current study provide evidence that a functional relation exists when using VAS/VM to teach laundry skills to adults with ID. Two adults generalized the use of the VAS/VM to a novel …

Special Education Teachers, Literacy, And Students With Moderate And Severe Intellectual Disability: A Survey, Ann Katherine Griffen

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

Literacy includes many skills involving the use of language to read, write, listen, and speak. The ultimate goal in acquiring literacy skills is to function as independently, and in as integrated a manner as possible, in a literate society. Literary skills are critical skills for all students, both with and without disabilities. Since the 1990s, literacy has moved closer and closer to the forefront of our collective awareness regarding students who are at risk of not acquiring sufficient literacy ability. However, students with moderate and severe intellectual disability (MSID) have not always been included in this group of students. In …

A Review Of Video Modeling To Teach Social Skills To Preschoolers With Asd, Jordan Brovelli

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this comprehensive literature review is to evaluate if existing research studies have produced substantial evidence to determine if the use of video modeling is as an evidence based instructional tool to teach social skills to preschool aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Literature was reviewed against standards suggested by What Works Clearinghouse for being an evidence-based practice. Based on the criteria set by What Works Clearinghouse for examining experimental rigor, evidence, and the requirements for practices being considered an evidence base, video modeling to teach this population of students social skills is not an evidence-based practice at …

Effects Of Using An Ipad App With Embedded Models To Teach Sight Words To Elementary Students With Developmental Disabilities, Meghan A. Traynor

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of teaching sight words using an iPad app with embedded models to students with developmental disabilities. The experimental design used was multiple probe (conditions) across behaviors replicated across students. All sessions occurred in a one-to-one format. The results showed the iPad app with embedded models were effective in teaching sight words to students with developmental disabilities.

Effects Of Power Cards On Conversational Skills For High Schoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Molly K. Mcgee

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

This study employed a multiple probe across settings design to evaluate the effectiveness of Power Cards, as they were originally designed by Gagnon (2001), on the conversational behaviors for two high school students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Data were collected on the percentage of conversational behaviors engaged in per session, as well as the number of times the participants accessed their Power Card during conversations, and the frequency of additional questions or comments made by the participants. Results of this study indicated that Power Cards improved conversational behaviors for both participants in their first setting. While covariation occurred across …

A Literature Review Of Sensory-Based Alterative Seating For Individuals With Disabilities, Hannah Von Schlutter

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this review was to determine whether the use of sensory-based alternative seating to increase the appropriate behaviors of individuals with disabilities is an evidence-based practice (EBP). Articles located on this topic were descriptively analyzed, and What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) guidelines were applied to determine each study’s methodological rigor, level of evidence, and whether, taken together, there is enough research to support alternative seating as an EBP. A total of 37 studies of the effects of sensory-based alternative seating on individuals with disabilities were found. These studies included a total of 44 participants, between 3 to 9 years …

How Might Active Video Gaming Affect Physical Activity And Physical Fitness Of Students With Intellectual Disabilities?, Mark E. Davis

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In the United States, there has been increasing concern about the obesity crisis. A large factor in this crisis is physical inactivity, which may have detrimental effects on an individual’s health. Participation in physical activity is essential to preventing and reducing obesity and may positively affect physical fitness. Researchers have begun to look at a newer form of video gaming called active video gaming (AVG), which is a physically interactive video game that helps individuals stand up and move. The purpose of this research study was to examine what effects active video gaming has on physical activity and physical fitness …

K-5 Educators' Perceptions Of The Role Of Speech Language Pathologists, Dr. Karmon D. Hatcher

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rarely is a school-based speech language pathologist (SLP) thought of as an active contributor to the achievement of students or to the learning community in general. Researchers have found benefits for students when members of the learning community collaborate, and the SLP should be a part of this community collaboration. This qualitative case study examined elementary school teachers', administrators', and reading specialists' perspectives related to knowledge of and the inclusion of the SLP in the learning community at a local elementary school in central Georgia. Schon's theory of reflective practice and Coleman's theory of social capital provided the conceptual framework. …

Current Practices Of Co-Teaching In An Elementary Inclusive School: Moving Toward Effective Co-Teaching Relationship, Mona Nassir Al Nassir

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Co-teaching has become more prevalent in schools. The purpose of this study is to explore how general and special education teachers build successful co-teaching relationships to provide special education services to students with disabilities. This case study specifically described how two pairs of co-teachers including one special education teacher and two general education teachers interact, collaborate, and build and promote their co-teaching relationships.

The observation and interviews with two first grade co-teaching pairs provided data that told the story of how their co-teaching relationships developed and were promoted through working together in an inclusive classroom. Research data for this qualitative …

Metacognitive Reading And Study Strategies And Academic Achievement Of University Students With And Without A History Of Reading Difficulties, Bradley W. Bergey

Publications and Research

University students who report a history of reading difficulties have been demonstrated to have poorer word reading and reading comprehension skills than their peers; yet, without a diagnosed learning disability, these students do not have access to the same support services, potentially placing them at academic risk. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of first-year academic achievement for students with a history of reading difficulties (n = 244) compared to students with no such history (n = 603). We also examine reported use of metacognitive reading and study strategies and their relations with GPA. Results indicate that students with a …

The Role Of Metalinguistic And Socio-Cognitive Factors In Reading Skill, Hélène Deacon, Rebecca Tucker, Bradley W. Bergey

Publications and Research

We present here a review of recent research on the role of metalinguistic and socio-cognitive factors in reading skill. We first review research how morphological awareness and orthographic processing impact the acquisition of reading skill. We show that the first might account for change over time, and the second may not. We then turn to our new studies examining the interplay between these two factors in reading development. In each of these domains, we test predictions of theories of reading development. Finally, we turn to research on a very different set of variables, which we term socio-cognitive. We explore the …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Successful Implementation Of Co-Teaching Services, Vanna Raybould

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project study addressed a lack of consistent instructional delivery of co-teaching practices in a rural high school in middle Georgia. Though co-teaching services are provided, teachers are not implementing co-teaching models with fidelity. Because co-teaching teams are not trained together, teachers' efficacy in the delivery of co-taught instruction has often been negatively affected. This project study provided insight into the perceptions of co-teachers regarding the implementation of co-teaching practices. Bandura's self-efficacy theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. Using a qualitative, bounded, single case study design, the study explored the perceptions of co-teachers and the planning practices …

Paraprofessional Implementation Of Evidence-Based Practices For Special Education Students, Esther Bubb-Mckinnie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Paraprofessionals often constitute the primary support system for special education students and are core members of special education instructional teams. Therefore, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act requires that paraprofessionals receive adequate training, including training in evidence-based practices (EBP). However, paraprofessionals often do not obtain the training and professional development they need to become qualified. The unpreparedness of paraprofessionals may lead to discouraging student outcomes. Informed by social constructivism, the purpose of this exploratory case study was to understand the perspectives of 6 special education administrators, 5 special education teachers, and 1 special education paraprofessional on paraprofessionals' implementation of EBP …

The Effects Of Leveled Literacy Intervention For Students In The Rti Process, Lisa Taylor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Low reading skills constitute a serious achievement problem. Although there are remedial support in schools, between 2% and 6% of the student population continues to show persistent reading difficulties despite intensive intervention. The research problem in this study addressed the lack of effective reading interventions for students who were in Tier III of the Response to Intervention (RtI) process. Piaget's cognitive development theory, constructivism, and Vygotsky's zone of proximal development theory made up the theoretical framework. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the effects of Fountas and Pinnell's Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) on reading achievement of students …

Teacher Dispositions In Special Education Training To Promote Persistence In The Field, Megan Chaney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A teacher's disposition is a valued factor in special education; however, preservice teacher training in California higher education institutions does not require a focus on dispositions. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine whether common dispositions were associated with retention among teachers with comparable experience and preparation in special education. The study was grounded in constructivist learning theories including experiential learning, transformational learning, reflective practice, communities of practice, and situated learning. Data collection included responses to the Teacher Dispositions Index survey from 28 teachers in the partner school district. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that effective …

Exploration Of The Use Of Sensory Diets In Occupational Therapy, Allison Hunt, Morganne Peterson, Emily White

Student Research Posters

The purpose of this study was to fill the gap in literature and further examine the use of sensory diets in the field of occupational therapy. This study investigated the use of sensory diets among California occupational therapy practitioners. A mixed-methods design was used to collect data through a SurveyMonkey survey. The survey was sent out to members of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) and received 98 respondents within one month. Participants worked among various clinical settings and implemented sensory diets with various client populations. Practitioners reported using terms such as “sensory strategies,” “sensory tools,” and “sensory supports” …

Classroom Readiness For Successful Inclusion: Teacher Factors And Preschool Children’S Experience With And Attitudes Toward Peers With Disabilities, Kyong-Ah Kwon, Soo-Young Hong, Hyun-Joo Jeon

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

The current study examined (1) associations among teachers’ experiences regarding children with disabilities (i.e., education, specialized training, years of work experience), their attitudes toward disabilities, and their classroom practices in relation to inclusion and (2) associations among children’s attitudes toward peers with disabilities and child and teacher factors. Ninety-one 4- and 5-year-old children participated in an interview, and their teachers completed a survey. Teachers’ specialized training and bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) were positively associated with their inclusive practices in the classroom; teachers’ bachelor’s degree in ECE and experiences working with children with disabilities were positively associated with …

Gfi1Cre Mice Have Early Onset Progressive Hearing Loss And Induce Recombination In Numerous Inner Ear Non-Hair Cells, Maggie Matern, Sarath Vijayakumar, Zachary Margulies, Beatrice Milon, Yang Song, Ran Elkon, Xiaoyu Zhang, Sherri M. Jones, Ronna Hertzano

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Studies of developmental and functional biology largely rely on conditional expression of genes in a cell type-specific manner. Therefore, the importance of specificity and lack of inherent phenotypes for Cre-driver animals cannot be overemphasized. The Gfi1^Cre mouse is commonly used for conditional hair cell-specific gene deletion/reporter gene activation in the inner ear. Here, using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, we show that the Gfi1^Cre mice produce a pattern of recombination that is not strictly limited to hair cells within the inner ear. We observe a broad expression of Cre recombinase in the Gfi1^Cre mouse neonatal inner ear, primarily …

Development Of Tract-Specific White Matter Pathways During Early Reading Development In At-Risk Children And Typical Controls, Yingying Wang, Meaghan V. Mauer, Talia Raney, Barbara Peysakhovich, Bryce L. C. Becker, Danielle D. Silva, Nadine Gaab

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Developmental dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. Previous studies observed white matter alterations in the left posterior brain regions in adults and school-age children with dyslexia. However, no study yet has examined the development of tract-specific white matter pathways from the pre-reading to the fluent reading stage in children at familial risk for dyslexia (FHD+) versus controls (FHD−). This study examined whitematter integrity at pre-reading, beginning, and fluent reading stages cross-sectionally (n = 78) and longitudinally (n = 45) using an automated fiber-tract quantification method. Our findings depict white matter alterations and atypical lateralization …

Rap: A Reading Comprehension Strategy For Students With Learning Disabilities And Concomitant Speech-Language Impairments Or Adhd, Suzanne E. Kemp

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications

Students with learning and language disabilities and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently struggle with reading comprehension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a paraphrasing cognitive strategy that consists of read, ask, put (RAP) on reading comprehension. In addition, the maintenance effects two months after treatment for three students with learning disabilities either concomitant speech-language impairmenst or ADHD was also studied. Read, ask, put was taught using the Strategic Intervention Model (SIM). A multiple baseline design across participants was used with three fourth grade students with learning disabilities. Results indicated the use of …

Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder, College Students, And Identity, Jeanne Vandenberg

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a growing societal problem that has been increasing among college students. Previous research on this population is limited and even fewer studies focus on women. The purpose of this quantitative study is to understand the developmental task of ego identity status for female college students with and without a diagnosis of ADHD based on Erikson's psychosocial theory. The study used the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (OMEIS) to measure identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement status as a means to assess identity status in female college students. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent …

Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusive Classrooms, Brenda Lyons Greene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Some teachers have negative attitudes toward teaching students with learning disabilities in the regular classroom. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the attitudes of regular classroom teachers regarding several aspects of inclusive education (IE), as well as how teacher education, training, and experience contributes to the teachers' attitudes towards IE. The research was guided by Cooper and Fazio's (1984) reformulation of the theory of cognitive dissonance. A sample population of 135 classroom teachers was used. The participants completed the Scale of Teachers' Attitudes toward Inclusive Classrooms survey instrument and a demographic survey, which were analyzed through …

Teachers' Theories Of Teaching And Learning And The Use Of Math Interventions, Nicole P. Jones

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the academic gap between students with learning disabilities (LD) and their nondisabled peers, schools continue to educate students with LD in regular education classrooms. In secondary math classes, such as Algebra 1, students with LD have high percentages of failure. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between teachers' personal theories of teaching and learning and their use of math interventions. Fox's (1983) theoretical framework of teaching and learning was used as a conceptual lens. Surveys were administered to 20 high school math teachers in an urban Northeastern U.S. school district. An ordinal logistic regression …

Increasing Inclusive Students' Achievement Through Use Of Usatestprep's Integrated Learning Systems, Roslynn Darnell Elom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Integrated learning systems (ILS) are effective ways to increase academic achievement for students, including those with disabilities. However, many teachers do not fully or properly implement this type of educational technology in their classroom teaching. The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to examine the perceptions of high school educators and administrators toward ILS use. The study was grounded in Ely's conditions of change theory. Research questions focused on educators' perceptions of barriers toward implementation of an ILS in the classroom. Participants included 8 inclusive secondary school teachers and 2 local administrators in a rural school system in …

Teachers' And Parents' Perceptions Of Special Education Referral For African American Students, Darlene Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patterns of representation of African Americans in K-12 special education programs vary across the United States. A school district in Arizona has a 13% African American population, yet the African American special education representation is 17%. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to generate an understanding of the processes related to special education referral and assignment of African American elementary students as perceived by 7 teachers and 6 parents in the school district. Inductive analysis including open, axial, and selective coding led to the categorization of three themes: complexity in the referral process, inadequate teacher-parent communication and lack …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Development Benefits For Teaching In Inclusive Classrooms, Francene Ramon Garrett

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is a correlation between the professional development that teachers receive and student academic success. It has been shown that knowledgeable teachers have a profound impact on student achievement. Many general and special educators enter the field of education and are placed to teach in inclusive environments with little to no professional development related to inclusion. This placement often adversely impacts the success of students with disabilities on state tests. However, there is limited information on the types of professional development necessary for teaching in inclusion. Guided by Bandura's social cognitive theory, this study explored teachers' perceptions of the types …