Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

A Day At School In Mpika, F. Edward Williams

LC Journal of Special Education

Perspectives on life and education in Zambia

Overview Of The Proceedings Of The 2021 Inclusion In Science, Learning A New Direction, Conference On Disability (Island), Cary Supalo, Jasodhara Bhattacharya, Daniel Steinberg

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

No abstract provided.

Vocabulary Instruction: A Review Of Traditional Approaches And Effective Methods, Amanda Watts

LC Journal of Special Education

Using recent research, this paper will provide an overview of the importance of vocabulary instruction as it relates to reading success of students with learning disabilities. The purpose of this review was to summarize issues with traditional approaches and discuss more effective methods for instructing vocabulary, including mnemonic strategies, semantic mapping, concept muraling, and experiential learning opportunities.

Math Difficulties, Julia C. Lisa

LC Journal of Special Education

Math is one of the most important and critical subjects taught nowadays. Though, it tends to be one of the most difficult subjects to master. Many students have trouble with math which only worsens when they reach adulthood. If students do not learn critical basic math, computation, and problem solving skills they struggle in all aspects of their life. Some students have math disabilities such as learning disabled in math or dyscalculia. These disabilities can severely affect their life skills that are necessary for successfully functioning as a part of society and their lives an adult. The purpose of this …

Prereferral Interventions: Past, Present, And Future Directions, Hajnal Sandidge

LC Journal of Special Education

Despite the widespread existence of prereferral intervention programs, there appears to be little consistency regarding its goals, implementation, the make-up of prereferral intervention teams, types of interventions and measures of the effectiveness of prereferral programs. This paper plans to review the literature on prereferral interventions and also examine the above mentioned aspects.

A Strategic Approach To Adolescent Literacy: A Diagnosis And Prescription For Students With Reading Deficits, Allison Norris

LC Journal of Special Education

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons that older students have not reached an age-appropriate level of reading and to collectively assemble and briefly summarize a small inventory of techniques that are adolescent specific and have been proven to close the gap between the struggling reader and their non-struggling peers. The paper concludes with a summary of the attributes of a proactive stance towards reading instruction and how our attitudes towards older students and reading instruction must be flexible. Allowances must be made for those adolescent students who have not mastered the basic reading fundamentals. Utilization of …

Enhancing Learning Through The Use Of Graphic Organizers: A Review Of The Literature, Jacqueline Lubin, Marcelline Sewak

LC Journal of Special Education

According to Meyen, Vergason andWhelan (1996) graphic organizers are “visual displays teachers use to organize information in a manner that makes information easier to understand and learn” (p.132). There are several types of graphic organizers. Some examples include semantic maps, cognitive maps, story maps, concept maps, Venn diagrams and unit organizers. Researchers agree that graphic organizers are effective tools that can improve student’s performance in content areas. Therefore, this paper will delve into answering the following questions: 1. How do graphic organizers enhance comprehension? 2. How can graphic organizers enhance the acquisition of content in Social Studies? 3. Why use …

Buck V. Bell: Eighty Years Of Challenges For Parents With Developmental Disabilities, Kelley D. Jacobs

LC Journal of Special Education

On May 2nd, 1927, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes delivered the Supreme Court‟s decision in the case of Carrie Buck v. J.H. Bell (Smith & Nelson, 1989). In the majority opinion, Holmes stated that, “It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute offspring for crime, or to let them starve for their imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind. The principle that sustains compulsory vaccination is broad enough to cover cutting the Fallopian Tubes...” (Smith & Nelson, 1989, p.178). Thus, it was determined that “three generations of imbeciles [were] enough”, …

Enhancing Science Instruction Through The Use Of Graphic Organizers, Ellen G. Humphrey

LC Journal of Special Education

Just as a secondary social studies class requires students to meet a demanding curriculum and have a good deal of background knowledge, so does a secondary science class. Since research supports the use of graphic organizers, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of graphic organizers on content–area learning for high school students in a resource room for biology class where the teacher uses effective teaching practices. The study will specifically focus on improving science vocabulary, comprehension, and storing and recalling information by enhancing science instruction.

Advance Organizers: Activating And Building Schema For More Successful Learning In Students With Disabilities, Kathy Joan Daniel

LC Journal of Special Education

The purpose of this paper is to explore advance organizers and their use as tools to activate and build schema when students with disabilities are presented with new concepts in the classroom. This will be done by first giving a brief synopsis of the inception of advance organizers and their connection to schema theory. Next, various types of organizers and their uses will be offered to enable teachers to determine the best organizers to use for their individual students and the type of content being presented. Then, because it is important for the teachers to make selections of organizers for …

Reaching All Students Through Effective Mathematics Instruction, Ameka R. Cruz

LC Journal of Special Education

With the push for the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom, it is becoming increasingly important that effective instruction is being provided. The purpose of this review is to address the revisions that are necessary in current mathematics instruction, as well as the importance of instruction that meets the needs of all students. Strategies that will be helpful to students experiencing difficulties in math will also be discussed.

Occupational Therapy In Secondary Transition: A Case Report, Latoya Harvey, Susan Zapf, Sandra E. Groger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Introduction: This case report aims to inform the occupational therapy profession of best practice by providing an example of the profession’s role in secondary transition for students with disabilities.

Method: This qualitative case report examines the value of occupational therapy during transition in the life of one student with a disability. Six weeks of coaching and collaboration were provided to facilitate student engagement to enhance independent living skills, work-related skills, and self-determination. Pre-test and post-test results of the Roll Evaluation of Life Activities (REAL), the Goal-Oriented Assessment of Lifeskills (GOAL), the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), interviews, informal discussions, …

Effectiveness Of The Social Behavior Mapping Intervention On The Social Communication Skills Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jessica Ann Donaldson

Special Education ETDs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Social Thinking® Social Behavior Mapping (SBM) on adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. A pretest-posttest control group design with matched sampling was used. There were 22 participants between the ages of 13 and 17 who were matched by age and IQ and then were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or to a treatment-as-usual group. Results revealed that participants made significant improvements on the SBM rating scale scores and participant-reported scores on the Social Skills subscale of the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS; Elliott & Gresham, 2008) Rating Scales. …

Mixed Methods Research In Special Education In Turkey: Learning From Researcher Experiences In Graduate Thesis, Seçil Çelik, Murat Doğan

The Qualitative Report

As a relatively young approach, mixed methods research (MMR) is a highly practical method to employ in special education due to its challenges and gains for the researchers. In this qualitative study, our aim is to explore the experiences and opinions of the researchers who completed their graduate thesis studies via MMR in special education in Turkey. We depended on hermeneutic (interpretive) phenomenological design and conducted focus group discussions with eight participants. Inductive thematic analysis has yielded four themes: (1) discovering the nature of MMR, (2) the reasons to opt for MMR, (3) the experience in conducting MMR, and (4) …

Growing Independence Through The Use Of Structured Work Systems, Skye Nicolls

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related disabilities struggle to manage daily activities and routines with independence. They often rely on adult prompts and cues, even when a skill has been previously mastered. This action research study aimed to determine the effects of structured work systems (SWS) in the inclusive pre-k classroom on the overall independence of students with ASD or related disabilities. TEACCH modeled structured work systems were implemented with four preschool students a minimum of twice daily. Three areas were observed for the purpose of this research: (1) student completion of the structured work system; (2) …

Examining Career Decisions: Exploring The Interest Of Gifted Graduates On Working In Education, Alexandria K. Ryan

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Students who are gifted are often pulled in a variety of career directions because of their tendency to have many interests and passions. This study was designed to better understand the experience of adults who are gifted and their career choice. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what career paths adults who are gifted follow, specifically whether they choose to work in the education field or not. This phenomenological study explored four main themes in an individual who is graduated from a gifted education program’s life: Gifted Program Experience, Career and Interests, Family Influence, and Social Emotional. …

Examining California’S Title 22 Community Care Licensing Regulations: The Impact On Inclusive Preschool Settings, Aja Mckee, Audri Sandoval Gomez, Sardis Susana Rodriguez, Janice Myck-Wayne, Scott Turner, Markus Trujillo

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Access to general education preschool in California has varied for children with disabilities. One reason for the disparity of educational placement is the preschool regulations outlined in California Department of Education’s Title 22: Community Care Licensing guidelines. These regulations, particularly in preschool, support or hinder preschool inclusion. Examining the preschool section of Title 22 through document analysis resulted in identifying three major themes that embrace or deter inclusive practices: (a) language (i.e., supportive language, antiquated language, and ambiguous language); (b) training, experience, and education; and (c) staff-student ratio. California’s educational leaders should consider these results to provide opportunities for preschool …

Exceptional And Able: Supporting The Social Communication Skills Of Gifted Neurodiverse Students In The Classroom, Victoria S. Henbest, Brenda L. Beverly

APLL Lab Presentations

These are the presentation slides from the 2022 MEGA Conference (Mobile, AL) sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Building Teacher Differentiation Self-Efficacy In The Classroom, Tyler Krattenmaker

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The practice of inclusion has allowed more students with disabilities to participate with their peers in general education classrooms than ever before. However, research findings show that in many cases, educators have low self-efficacy when it comes to their ability to serve students with disabilities within their classrooms. Studies have documented a need for professional development to target inclusion and accommodations, showing that increased training increases teacher self-efficacy in implementing students supports. With this research in mind, a school improvement plan was developed that focuses on a professional development series to increase educator self-efficacy in implementing accommodations frequently included in …

Inclusion Strategies To Assist Emotional And Behavior Disorder Students In The Classroom, Karley Bales

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Students who may have severe difficulties when with their peers can often get placed in emotional and behavioral disorder (EBD) classrooms. These classes usually are self-contained special education settings. The students’ least restrictive environment (LRE) is with the general education classroom with their peers, however, behaviors can get in the way and interfere with the inclusion process. This school improvement plan goes over strategies that can be utilized by both general and special education teachers to help get students back with their peers in their LRE to get a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) and out of the self-contained special …

Systematic Literature Review Of Experiences And Supports For Students With Asd Post Hoc: Findings Regarding Diversity And Implications For Research And Educator Preparation, Eric J. Lopez, Mariya T. Davis

Special Education Faculty Publications (Archived)

The following post hoc analysis examines cultural and/or linguistic information from a previous systematic literature review of 24 studies investigating demographic information, encounters, assists and suggestions of study participants enrolled in post-secondary education institutions with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The analysis and discussion of results appeal for the need to not only include and focus on diversity but to refocus on cultural consciousness. Implications and future directions for research and for educator preparation programs are proposed.

The Relationship Between Pbis When Practiced With Fidelity And Students With Disabilities’ Academic Achievement Outcomes As Measured On The Georgia Milestones Assessment In Grades Three Through Seven, Tammy A. Hatton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

PBIS was designed to be a framework, not a curriculum or one size fits all plan, to address the behavioral and academic needs of students with disabilities. PBIS has deep roots in behaviorism theory mirroring many aspects of Applied Behavior Analysis. The PBIS framework embraces concepts from E. L. Thorndike’s, Law of Effect and B. F. Skinner’s, Operant Conditioning to teach the behaviors necessary to ensure high-quality, uninterrupted classroom instruction. This research study is important to any school system or administration that have students with disabilities and face classroom behavioral issues that interfere with classroom instruction. The purpose of this …

Comparing The Effects Of Phonics Instruction Provided To Students With Disabilities, Ashley Rohlf

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Special education teachers work each day to implement effective curricula to help students with disabilities receiving special education services reach grade-level standards. Recent research supports the need for implementing a comprehensive reading program that includes phonics instruction. With numerous curricula available, this action research seeks to inform educators of two methods of instruction that have a heavy phonics component that leads to growth in student reading skills. Two methods were evaluated: one method used multiple curricula to target all areas of a comprehensive reading program while the other method used a single curriculum that targeted all of the same areas. …

Food Allergies And Disabilities In Children, Angela D. Vaughn

LC Journal of Special Education

There is increased curiosity and research regarding the role that food allergies may or may not have in relation to major disabilities in children. Some researchers claim that symptoms, from simple aches and pains to cancer, are caused by food allergies. More specifically, in regards to children, there has been much speculation and research concerning specific food allergies and its possible link to two major disabilities in particular, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism.

Specialized Reading Programs: An Analysis Of The Components Of Effective Reading, Damien Murtagh

LC Journal of Special Education

This paper will identify characteristics of effective reading construction, analyze a number of specialized reading programs-focusing on their ability to include these instructional characteristics-and discuss the implications of these instructional components when designing reading instruction.

Investigating The Overrepresentation Of Ethnic Minorities In Special Education, Damien Murtagh

LC Journal of Special Education

Debates on the overrepresentation of minority students, particularly African- Americans, are not new in special education and have characterized research in this field for over three decades. Regardless of time, legislative debate and a host of research theories, this problem remains. “In general, research has supported the public concern but the picture is unclear because studies have varied so much with respect to definitions of minority representation in findings across ethnic groups and technical methods (Coutinho & Oswald, 1999, p. 66). It is on the definition of minorities, the methods used to calculate date and the identification of minority students …

Adolescent Students With Disabilities And Learning Strategies, Lee Mattox

LC Journal of Special Education

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the classroom demands in middle and high school and the expectations for independent learning in adolescent students. This paper also examines the performance deficits that are commonly found in adolescents with disabilities. An overview of learning strategies instruction follows. Finally, implications for adolescent students from this type of instruction are discussed.

Reactive Attachment Disorder: A Review, Malia C. King

LC Journal of Special Education

Using recent research, this paper will provide an overview of reactive attachment disorder, its symptoms, characteristics and causal factors, as well as assessment and treatment tools. It will conclude with a discussion of controversies relating to the present DSM-IV definition as well as attention to prevention considerations.

Does Rap Increased Reading Comprehension Levels?, Crystal Hall

LC Journal of Special Education

The purpose of this research is to determine whether using a learning strategy will increase reading comprehension for students with mental retardation. The specific learning strategy implemented in the survey is called RAP. The researcher hopes that students will be able to generalize the strategy to other academic classes to aid in reading comprehension of course material.

Asperger Syndrome And Its Presence During The Adolescent Years, Ameka R. Cruz

LC Journal of Special Education

Asperger's syndrome is increasing in incidence with children. The characteristics of Asperger syndrome and its effects during the adolescent years are addressed. The social, emotional, and educational factors are discussed, along with interventions and strategies.