Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Mothers Of Students With A Disability: A Phenomenological Study Of Experiences With School Discipline, Mary Jane Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand what school discipline means to mothers of students with a disability at various school districts in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. School discipline was defined as the policies and procedures schools use to manage student behavior. This study was supported by Oliver’s social model theory, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, and Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. The purpose of data collection in this qualitative, transcendental phenomenological study was to gather data so an empirical analysis could be completed of how mothers of students with a disability define school discipline. Interviews, focus groups, and …

Meeting Their Needs: The Algebraic Knowledge And Instructional Preferences Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Kayla Neill

Theses and Dissertations

Students with a learning disability (LD) are experts in their lived experiences within the classroom. Yet, little is known about the ways in which students with LD perceive their instruction in mathematics and whether this instruction meets their learning needs. Similarly, the mathematical thinking and content knowledge of students with LD is often excluded from the literature, particularly concerning algebraic concepts. Six high school students with LD from a large urban school district in the northeast United States participated in this two-part study. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants’ perceptions about their instruction within Integrated Co-Taught (ICT) mathematics classes. …

A Guide For Preschool General Education Teachers To Identify And Support Children With Developmental Delays, Sarah Jane Snider Mrs

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Snider (2021) A Guide for Preschool General Education Teachers to Identify and Support Children with Developmental Delays

It is essential to identify areas of professional development that educators need in order to effectively teach children. Professional development strengthens teachers knowledge and equips them with skills that will improve teaching practice and child achievement. This study looked at preschool general educator areas of weakness. The information that was obtained was used to create a professional development guide to enhance weakness areas. The results show that preschool general education teachers needed further information on identifying and supporting children with developmental delays. In …

Technology As A Tool For Support: Classroom Teachers And Resource Specialists In Collaboration And Communication Practices, Mackenzie Jones

Education | Master's Theses

Classroom teachers and resource specialists face hectic schedules that include supporting students and meeting the core curriculum standards. In order to support students with disabilities in the classroom, collaboration between classroom teachers and resource specialists is essential. With busy schedules and increasing demands that teachers face, there is an urgent need to support teachers with effective systems of collaboration. This research focuses on the problem of unorganized and ineffective systems of support, which teachers face when trying to collaborate and communicate with their colleagues. While many prior studies address the significance of providing time for educators to collaborate in the …

The Correlation Between Student Self-Advocacy And Postsecondary Success, Kaleigh Tarabek

Honors Theses

This project incorporated ideas of a previous study that examined the effects of self-advocacy and conflict resolution training modules on the ability of four high school seniors with mild disabilities to ask for their accommodations (Holzberg, et al.,. 2019). The survey I will be using: Self-Determination/Self-Advocacy Checklist, from the transition planning inventory, will be used for the pre and post assessment in order to measure the increase from student indicated don’t knows to yes. I will be compiling student data using student surveys. I will reflect and analyze survey responses as my sample size and student demographics will be different. …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Impact Of A Progressive Learning Curriculum On Student Achievement In A Northeastern Urban Public School District, Corey Mckinney

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study used a non-experimental, one-group, pretest-posttest design to compare the scale scores on the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 Mathematics sections of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA). This investigation compared the 2018 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment in Mathematics (NJSLA-M) scale score means for sampled special education students in Grades 4 – 8 to the 2019 NJSLA-M scale score means for the same group. A Paired-samples t-Test was used to determine what statistical differences exist, if any, between the scores 2017–2018 results of the students prior to receiving instruction based on learning progressions and the 2018–2019 results after …

Virtually Left Behind: The Struggles Of Adapted Physical Education Through Online Learning For Students With Special Needs, Madison Neff

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus issue addressed in this Capstone Project is on improving the challenges faced by students with special needs through online modalities of adapted physical education (APE). This is an important issue for students with special needs because they are regressing because of online learning. Students with special needs need a routine and a hands-on learning environment to thrive. It is argued that if teachers, parents, and students meet certain criteria, these challenges can be improved with collaboration. The primary stakeholders' perspectives included one APE teacher and three parents, due to their relevant experience and observations of online APE and …

A Study Of Student Experiences In The Secondary Transition Program Through Student, Parent, And Teacher Perceptions, Kelley M. Sells

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine and analyze the perceptions of students with mild-moderate disabilities, teachers, and parents regarding the students’ experiences related to their secondary transition plan. More specifically, the qualitative single-case study sought to identify areas of alignment and divergence of these three key members’ perspectives since experiences and perceptions are unique to an individual based on the context and individual’s perspective of the event. These findings suggested that the district showed experiences of valuable student presence and input in their IEP meetings and trusting supportive student-teacher relationships. The study also revealed that significant barriers …

A Comparison Of Special And General Educators' Perceptions Of Collegiality, Jessica Brower

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The move to an inclusive model has placed additional strain on educators in both general and special education. Collegiality, an identified factor of educator attrition, could serve to reduce that strain. However, little is known about collegiality in education. This quantitative, causal-comparative study examined the differences in perceptions of collegiality among special and general educators from six Mid-Atlantic school districts, using the Teacher Collegiality Scale (TCS). Participants were drawn from a sample population of teachers representing (n = 234) special and (n = 234) general educators. This sample included participants from four states and approximately 235 schools. This sample is …

Performance-Based Evaluations Of Special Education Teachers In A Special Education School Setting, Katie Evans

Dissertations

This study examined the evaluations of special education teachers in a Midwest Public Special Education District which consisted of five separate special education schools. Despite the vast research and literature on evaluations of general education teachers throughout the nation, there was little research on the evaluations of special education teachers within special education buildings. In this study, I asked a) How do teachers perceive the performance-based evaluation measure? b) How do administrators perceive the performance-based evaluation measure? c) How are the performance-based evaluation components determined to be most relevant for teachers in a self-contained special education setting? and d) How …

Effective Cognitive Learning Solutions For Special Education Students Of Nyc Public Schools In Underserved Communities Prepared For: Dr. Sheying Chen Pace University, Nicole N. Garvin

Master in Public Administration Theses

The goal of this report was to study scientific-based programs that promote the Theory of Cognition as the foundation to learning and teaching special education students and students classified as learning disabled in the public schools of under-served communities; to inform families who live and send their children to public schools in under-served communities of these alternative approaches to learning, inform them of their rights during IEP reviews and requesting an impartial hearing; and stop the School to Prison Pipeline. The research shows how students classified as special education in the most restrictive environment and students classified as Learning Disabled …

An Applied Study Examining Inclusion Models In An All-Girls Rhode Island Catholic High School, Shannon Mcmahon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to seek to solve the problem of a lack of comprehensive special education programming in an all-girls, Catholic school in Rhode Island, that addresses the students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, and to design a proposal of recommendations, using a multi-method approach. Particular attention was given to the merits of peer mentoring as an effective inclusion strategy. The central research question was “How can the problem of lack of comprehensive special education programs for girls be solved at St. Teresa’s Catholic School in Rhode Island?” Data were collected using both quantitative and qualitative …

Practitioner Perception Of The Implementation Of Evidence-Based Practices In The Special Education Classroom: A Case Study, Jolene G. Swezey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to identify factors that inform the decision-making process of 11 special education practitioners for the implementation of evidence-based practices in the classroom at Central Combined School (pseudonym). The theoretical framework for this study is Lipsky’s street-level bureaucracy theory. Street-level bureaucracy theory states that social services workers use discretion to administer required policies. Understanding how special educators act as street-level bureaucrats will provide new insights into teacher perception of the decision-making process for implementing evidence-based practices. The central research question asked, What are the factors that inform the decision-making process for special …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Impact Of A Progressive Learning Curriculum On Student Achievement In A Northeastern Urban Public School District, Corey Mckinney

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study used a non-experimental, one-group, pretest-posttest design to compare the scale scores on the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 Mathematics sections of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA). This investigation compared the 2018 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment in Mathematics (NJSLA-M) scale score means for sampled special education students in Grades 4 – 8 to the 2019 NJSLA-M scale score means for the same group. A Paired-samples t-Test was used to determine what statistical differences exist, if any, between the scores 2017–2018 results of the students prior to receiving instruction based on learning progressions and the 2018–2019 results after receiving …

The Impact Of Mindfulness Practice On Adolescents With Special Needs And Mental Health Diagnosis, Rebecca Jean Mcquiston

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with mental health diagnosis, trauma or special education labels such as emotional behavioral disorder or learning disabilities often show signs of distress, and/or dysregulation in the classroom. They are referred to providers and evaluated based on the behaviors or symptoms that are presented. Many times, these behaviors impact their ability to learn, regulate emotions and function when compared to their typically developing peers. These students have developed maladaptive behaviors to cope with strong feelings. Within the last ten years, clinics, schools and districts have increased their attention and efforts to develop social emotional learning programs to teach students essential …

Employer Perspective On Augmenting Work Experiences For Individuals With Disabilities, Liza A. Laurino-Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate employer perspective on augmenting work experiences for individuals with disabilities in the workplace through a qualitative case study approach. This study utilized two specific workplaces that are structured, have core values, are mission-driven and support individuals with differing abilities. The goal was to develop an understanding on how these workplaces continue to help individuals gain meaningful employment while supporting their differences and unique learning approaches in the workplace. Data collection included employer interviews, employee insight, an employer focus group, observations of employees at the work sites, artifacts, photos and the researcher’s journals. …

Effectiveness Of Collaborative Handwriting Curriculum: Handwriting Without Tears And Orton-Gillingham, In Kindergarten Classroom Setting., Merry G. Harper

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Formal handwriting instruction, using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate handwriting programming, in school based occupational therapy is necessary to support the role of a student. Handwriting is an occupation of children in the school environment. Without formal handwriting instruction in place there is evidence to support occupational therapy intervention providing a handwriting program can improve handwriting success.

Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to determine the clinical efficacy of a hybrid approach to handwriting instruction pairing the Handwriting Without Tears and Orton-Gillingham instructional programming for prewriting and handwriting skills in the kindergarten population. The research question addressed is: Will …

The Dyslexic Diaries, Skye Malik

Graduate Student Independent Studies

This thesis consists of three components: a critique of existing children’s literature about dyslexia, an original piece detailing personal events with dyslexia, and a lesson plan to support teachers using the new book with groups of students.

A Descriptive Study Of The Accommodations, Assistive Technologies, And Supports Chosen By Students With An Intellectual Disability Attending A Post-Secondary Institution, Lori Olson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study used a mixed methods approach to investigate the perceptions of students with intellectual disabilities (ID) attending a Transition Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID). This study explored what they perceived to be the most chosen and helpful accommodations, assistive technologies, and supports and why they chose them. The researcher sent out an electronic survey to students with ID attending a Transition Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) to determine the most chosen and helpful accommodations, assistive technologies, and supports and why they found them helpful.The top ranked accommodations used and found most helpful in this …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Teacher Interactions With Students With Special Needs, Travis Depuydt

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological research study was designed to study the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on teacher interactions with students with special needs during the mandatory school closures that took place during March of 2020. This study consisted of seven interviews with special education teachers, from three different districts, located in Menominee and Delta counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Participant responses to interview questions (See Appendix C), revealed six common themes:

1. Inability to consistently connect with students and a lack of participation amongst students.
2. Lack of training and no prior online teaching experience.
3. Lack of available technology …

Success In Transition Preparation For Post-Secondary Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Sophie Scrimgeour

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Students with disabilities face a wide range of barriers in their transition from school-to-work that their family and community can help them to overcome. The transition from school-to-work has become a heightened topic of interest, especially when it comes to the transition of a student with a disability.

Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports In An Early Education Center, Karisa Gratton

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

With so many uncertainties in childcare centers all across America (especially in a world of COVID-19), it is crucial to have Positive Behavioral Systems and Supports (PBIS) in place to ensure success in learning environments for all children. Typically speaking, the center that I work in has four classrooms, with each teacher directly in charge of their own students. In a normal school year, teachers also are given the opportunity to interact and work with students from other age groups, giving all children a chance to form relationships with each adult. However, in a COVID-19 world, these interactions are non-existent, …

Uncovering Examples Of Humanizing Praxis And Pathological Violence In Special Education: District, Parent, And Researcher Perspectives, Andy W. Chung

Doctoral Dissertations

Students of color continue to be labeled with dis/abilities and funneled into segregated settings by special education staff (Annamma, Connor, & Ferri, 2013; Leonardo & Broderick, 2011). The purpose of this study is to highlight the kinds of experiences students and their family’s experience in special education related to humanization and violence. In addition to gaining a better understanding of how special education district staff are working to both reproduce and disrupt the violent exclusion of students of color, this dissertation aimed to center the experiences of parents and students who are being impacted by the exclusionary policies and practices. …

Benefits Of Inclusion: Supports And Strategies For Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Molly M. Mccain

Masters Projects

Special Education has evolved over the years. One shift has been the placement of students with special needs, specifically those with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). These students are getting out of their special education classrooms and are being mainstreamed in the general education setting with their same aged peers. Studies have revealed there are positive social and academic benefits to inclusion, including increases in peer-to-peer interactions, shared learning opportunities, and access to general education curriculums. Unfortunately, students do not always acquire these benefits because people working with students with ID: students, teachers, and paraprofessionals, are unaware of what inclusion is and …

Music Participation And Achievement Scores Among Middle School Students With Disabilities: A Causal-Comparative Study, Ashley Anne Gonzalez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative study examined the differences in reading and math achievement between students with disabilities who participated in music for two or more years and those who did not. This study’s purpose was to show if participating in music can impact the academic achievement of middle school students as measured by the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). The covariate in the study was the reading and math STAAR scores from fifth-grade students in the 2015–2016 school year before they participated in middle school music. These students’ eighth-grade 2018–2019 math and reading scores were used to show …

Perceptions Of Preservice Teachers Of Students With Autism And Intellectual Disabilities In Their Teacher Preparation Programs In Saudi Arabia, Salman Almughyiri

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the male preservice special education teachers’ perceptions in regard to the preservice special education teacher preparation courses, practicum, and evidence-based practices that they have recently completed. The participants of the study included five preservice special education teachers from two universities, Shaqra University and King Saud University, in Riyadh (the capital city of Saudi Arabia). Qualitative interview designs were employed to gather the data, which included conducting fifteen interviews. Each participant was interviewed three times with 45-90 minutes of length for each interview. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Thematic analysis is a method for identifying, …

Incidental Teaching And Its Impact On Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder., Alexis Lyles, Molly Mccracken

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The title of our research-based inquiry is Incidental Teaching and Its Impact on Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose and reason for doing this inquiry is to determine if incidental teaching is an applicable evidence-based program for teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder appropriate communication skills and social interactions. The main question driving our inquiry is if “incidental teaching is an effective program for helping students with Autism Spectrum Disorder communicate and further develop their language abilities?”. Our hypothesis/assumption regarding this question is that if educators and interventionists use incidental teaching to teach children with Autism Spectrum Disorder appropriate …

'Picture It', Sarah Allwein, Carly Childress, Brooke Baker

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

Individuals who have autism, tend to have trouble fully communicating what it is that they truly need. Furthermore, there are many different varieties of communication technology out there today that are extremely beneficial; however, for some families, not affordable at all. Thus, we have researched the different ways to help a student with autism communicate but at an affordable rate. In the end we have decided on a low-tech picture exchange communication system as our form of intervention in helping an individual clearly express their needs and to better communicate in general. Our hypothesis for the study using the picture …

A Qualitative Study Of American Sign Language Interpreting For Deaf Individuals With Disabilities, Emily A. Mason

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

There are complexities involved in American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting for the unique population of Deaf individuals with disabilities (DWD), particularly in educational settings, that must be considered. Based on the foundation of existing literature regarding the field of ASL interpreting, educational interpreting, and strategies of working with DWD individuals, the researcher created a theoretical conceptual framework that combined the frameworks of ASL Interpreting and Special Education. The current primary research is aimed at addressing another portion of the gap, that is, research regarding practical experiences in working with this population. This study was conducted through questionnaires sent out through …

Experiences Of Special Education Teachers Responsible For Training Novice Paraeducators In The Inclusive Setting: A Phenomenological Study, Rachel Lyn Wilbur-Carlyle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study, as outlined by Moustakas, was to describe the experiences of special education teachers serving as trainers of novice paraeducators in the inclusion setting. It occured within the metro-Atlanta area. The theory guiding this study was Lave and Wenger’s theory of situativity. This theory focused upon social practices occurring within relationships amongst communities and supported the inquiry of special education teachers. The central research question that guided the study was: “How do special education teachers who work in the elementary school inclusive settings describe their experiences supervising special education paraeducators?” To support the focus …