Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Decreasing Disruptive Behaviors In Elementary Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders To Promote Academic And Social Success, Parker K. Bakke

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated how elementary special education teachers can support students with EBD to promote social and academic success. Students with EBD struggle with behaviors that can negatively affect the classroom environment such as aggression, inattentiveness, impulsivity, defiance, and lack of self-regulation. These result in poor relationships with peers and adverse effects on learning. Teachers who use proper interventions, structured classroom schedules, and consistent routines can support these behaviors. Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL), as well as building safe and strong relationships with both students and their families, can also aid in promoting positive outcomes. Without the appropriate knowledge, support, and …

Co-Teaching Models To Meet Academic And Behavioral Needs Of Elementary School Students, Shannon L. Roy

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Co-teaching is a collaborative instructional model in which general and special education teachers work together to plan, deliver, and assess supporting students with and without disabilities. Research indicates that successful co-teaching requires strong collaboration and communication skills between educators. Co-teaching positively impacts student engagement, academic performance, and social-emotional development, particularly those students with Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD). Co-teaching ensures that students have their right to education in the general education setting, creating an inclusive classroom environment.

Effective Instructional Strategies For Students With Special Needs In A Co-Taught Classroom, Adam J. Ludwig

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the effectiveness and strategies of co-teaching, with a focus on teacher preparedness, co-teaching models, and the benefits and drawbacks of implementation. Through a literature review of teacher surveys and anecdotal experiences, the study examines how co-taught classrooms can be improved through targeted preservice and in-service training, familiarity with co-teaching approaches, and a clearer understanding of its impact on students with special needs. Findings suggest that effective co-teaching is linked to increased collaboration, shared responsibilities among teachers, and enhanced student access to the curriculum. However, evidence remains inconclusive regarding its impact on academic achievement. The study highlights the …

Benefits Of Fluency Instruction For Students With Disabilities, Rebecca Lapham

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Computational fluency is a foundational skill in math instruction that allows students to access a variety of higher level skills. Mastery of fluency requires the coordination of several brain systems, including the hippocampal memory system, the working memory apparatus, and appropriate connections between brain regions, especially within the prefrontal cortex. A variety of disabilities affect different parts of these systems and cause different deficits, which require specific strategies and interventions. Many students have multiple deficits or learn in classrooms with other students whose deficits vary from their own. Multimodal approaches to fluency instruction are most effective, with three to five …

The Effect Of Extracurricular Engagement On Academic Performance, Personal Growth, And Positive Behaviors In Students, Jonah Jackson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Extracurricular activities play a significant role in student development. They drive learning, encourage friendships, and build confidence. For many students, clubs, sports, or group activities enhance their potential and help them develop crucial skills. Without such involvement, important growth opportunities may be missed. Opportunity for involvement, however, can depend greatly on factors such as socioeconomic status, accessibility, cultural expectations and racial or ethnic identities. Ensuring all students have access to extracurricular activities is an important step for overall success. This thesis will examine how extracurricular activities prevent school dropout, develop essential skills such as leadership and adaptability, and encourage school …

South Dakota's Path Forward: Education Professionals On Formal Free-Standing Sel Competency Standards, Kirsten Biersbach

Dissertations and Theses

This study employed reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) to examine South Dakota general education teachers’ perceptions and experiences with the implementation of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in the absence of formal, free-standing SEL competency standards. As one of the few states without such standards in K-12 education, South Dakota presents a unique context for examining how educators navigate SEL practices in the absence of consistent state-level guidance. Grounded in a qualitative, constructivist paradigm, this research aims to inform future educational policy and practice by amplifying the voices of practitioners who are often overlooked in top-down reform processes. A comprehensive literature review established …

Exploring Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions Of Lockdown Drills: Preparedness, Training Needs, And The Balance With Social-Emotional Development, Juniper Alaska Brewer

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

The purpose of this study was to evaluate early childhood educators’ perceptions of lockdown drills. It assessed feelings of preparedness, perceived training needs, and balancing safety protocols with children's social-emotional development. A multi-methods online survey was distributed to 13 early childhood educators and students in the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) field, collecting both quantitative and qualitative responses via Qualtrics.

Survey data showed educators strongly agreed drills prepare them for emergencies (average 4.46/5) and generally agreed drills prepare children (4.08/5), though responses were more neutral about reducing educator anxiety (3.77/5). Only one participant reported occasional training; most (7 of 13) …

A Comprehensive Accommodations Model In The Catholic School Inclusive Context, David Scanlon, Drina Kei Yatsu

Journal of Catholic Education

While Catholic schools have a mission of inclusivity, they are often challenged to support students who may have disabilities. A significant cause of their challenge is lacking a special education infrastructure. Classroom accommodations are a primary form of supporting students with disabilities, and others, who struggle in the classroom. Catholic high school educators collaborated with special education researchers in a research project involving collaborative action research to identify and validate an accommodations model specific to the Catholic secondary school context. The model includes three phases—Preparation, Provision, and Evaluation—as well as features such as redundant services, a dedicated learning specialist, and …

Implementing Reading Mastery As A Component Of Tiered Literacy Instruction, Kristen R. Rolf, Peter Ehlen, Teresa Buttars

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

Despite attempts at reform over the decades, many students with and without disabilities in the United States struggle to learn to read. Bear River Charter School is a K-6 public charter school in Utah that has effectively used Reading Mastery Signature Edition to teach most students to read at grade-level by the end of third grade. Data from the 2022-2023 school year show that over 80% of students in kindergarten, over 70% of students in Grades 1 and 2, and over 90% of students in Grade 3 met grade-level reading benchmarks by the end of the year. This chapter describes …

Neurodivergent Students And Higher Education: Barriers, Challenges, And Supporting Measures, Courtney Tricarichi-Funk

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

When neurodivergent students attempt to go to colleges and universities, they often face barriers in accessing higher education and encounter challenges post-admission. This study explores what measures higher learning institutions can develop and implement to make postsecondary education more accessible and less challenging for neurodivergent students by answering the following questions: • What barriers do neurodivergent students face when planning to access higher education? • What challenges do neurodivergent students encounter in higher education after they are admitted? • What measures can be developed and implemented to help neurodivergent students access and succeed in higher education? To address these questions, …

Addressing Fine Motor Skills In Kindergarten Through Embedding Occupational Fine Motor Skills In Classrooms, Mary L. Hesterwerth

Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects

Background: Fine motor and visual–motor delays are becoming more common among young children, driven by the shift from traditional physical play to screen time and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues are particularly concerning for kindergarten students, whose academic demands for handwriting and classroom participation are increasing despite their limited prior school experience.

Purpose: This Capstone project aimed to evaluate the effects of an occupational therapist-led training workshop for kindergarten teachers, focusing on how it helps integrate fine motor activities into daily bellwork routines. The main research question was whether this Tier 1, classroom-based strategy could enhance students’ fine …

Student Behavior In The Special Education Setting, Ashley Ila Gilbertson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The implementation of positive reinforcement in special education settings plays a crucial role in shaping and modifying student behavior. This approach involves rewarding desired behaviors, thereby increasing the likelihood of their recurrence. Research indicates that positive reinforcement not only enhances academic performance but also fosters social skills and emotional well-being among students with diverse needs. By providing immediate, specific feedback and rewards, educators can create a supportive environment that encourages engagement and participation. Furthermore, positive reinforcement helps build self-esteem, as students experience success through consistent acknowledgment of their achievements. Overall, the strategic use of positive reinforcement proves to be an …

Teachers’ Perspectives On Behavioral Classroom Expectations Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Jennifer E. Brewer

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was that adolescents with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) were failing in general education courses. The purpose was to investigate how teachers’ perceptions and biases influenced EBD students. Participants included five teachers (two special education teachers and three general education teachers) from each of Grades 6, 7, and 8 recruited from social media. The study was guided by the case study research design, and the interview instrument was the Indepth Interview Protocol. Data analysis was guided by a coding system that facilitated searching the interview responses for themes.

Research Question 1 queried about forms …

Leading Transition: How Special Education Directors Make Meaning Of Their Leadership In Advancing Pathways To Employment, Deanna Gill

Dissertations of Practice

LEADING TRANSITION: HOW SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS MAKE MEANING OF THEIR LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT

Dede Gill, Ed.D.

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

Northern Illinois University, 2025 Kelly Summers, Co-Director Alexios Rosario-Moore, Co-Director

Despite decades of legislative reform and an expanding body of research on effective transition practices, students with disabilities continue to experience disproportionately poor post-school employment outcomes when compared to their non-disabled peers. Nationally, individuals with disabilities are employed at approximately half the rate of those without disabilities, and their poverty rates remain substantially higher. These outcomes persist even as federal and state mandates such …

Preparing To Teach: Exploring Perspectives On The Co-Teaching Experience Through The Educator's Lens, Jesus E. Favela

Dissertations of Practice

Preparing to Teach: Exploring Perspectives on the Co-Teaching Experience Through the Educator's Lens

This qualitative study examines how general education and special education teachers experience co-teaching in a large suburban high school, with a focus on the supports and constraints that shape their daily practice. Guided by a social-constructivist perspective used here as a conceptual model rather than a methodological directive, the analysis attends to collaboration, shared meaning-making, and the co-construction of practice within co-taught classrooms. Semi-structured interviews with 11 teachers (6 General education teachers and 5 special education teachers) were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns and …

Iep Related Topic Research Presentation And Podcast, Christopher D. Yawn

Open Educational Resources

As a special educator, it is important to know about the various components of the individualized education program (IEP) and related programming actions. As such, candidates are being asked to thoroughly research an IEP-related topic and share their findings with their peers.

Advocacy Agency Assignment (Aaa), Christopher D. Yawn

Open Educational Resources

As a special educator, it is important to be familiar with the various organizations that work to benefit individuals with disabilities. To that end, this assignment requires students to locate organizations that work for the benefit of individuals with disabilities and share out with their peers to add to their cache of helpful resources to provide to the families they serve.

Serving Special Education Students In Private Schools, Amanda Jo Weddle

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Private schools have been underprepared to welcome and serve students with disabilities. Throughout the years, parents have advocated for change to occur to support their children's diverse needs, but these students are frequently turned away due to the private schools’ inability to change. Many schools blame this on a lack of funds. The reality is private schools can support students with disabilities when proper steps are taken. Through knowledge of special education law, collaborative relationships, cultural changes, instructional opportunities on best practices, and encouragement, private schools can begin to embrace all students. While the changes will take time and effort, …

Transitioning Children With Autism Into The School Setting, Samantha M. Willman

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with autism may face multiple challenges throughout their lives. The challenge of transitioning into the school environment can be supported and navigated through accommodations, modifications and interventions. Addressing the challenges that students with autism face in the areas of communication, visual support and sensory regulation assists in providing a successful transition into the formal education setting. When children with autism are provided strong support in the beginning of their educational career, they grow their independence and build skills needed to be successful within the educational setting. Accommodations and modifications are essential to providing an equitable educational experience for students …

Teacher Burnout And The Impact On Special Education Students And Strategies To Cope And Manage Burnout, John T. Gerding

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The teaching profession requires educators to fulfill multiple roles—beyond instruction, they serve as counselors, mentors, behavior managers, and sources of emotional support, especially in underserved urban and rural communities. These roles often extend well beyond the classroom and require teachers to navigate complex social and emotional dynamics, all while maintaining personal emotional balance. Unrealistic expectations increasingly drive teacher burnout, making it a primary factor in teacher turnover. Numerous studies highlight the widespread consequences of burnout, not just for educators themselves but for the entire educational ecosystem. Research by Gooden et al. (2023) found that burnout was particularly pronounced in schools …

How Can Educators Distinguish Special Education Accommodations/Modifications From General Education Differentiation To More Effectively Support All Learners, Olivia R. Nelson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers often use the terms differentiated instruction, accommodations, and modifications, but research shows that these words are not always understood or used correctly. This thesis reviews current studies to examine how these differences affect teaching decisions, teamwork between general and special education teachers, and students’ access to grade-level learning. The literature shows that when definitions are unclear, teachers may provide the wrong type of support or lower expectations, which reduces students’ opportunities to learn challenging material. The review also points to the need for a common language, better teacher preparation, and continued collaboration. Understanding the differences among these supports is …

Overidentification Of Learning Disabilities Among African Immigrants English Language Learners, Ololade Khafayat Banire

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the over-identification of learning disabilities among African immigrant English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools, examining both the individual and systemic factors contributing to disproportionality. By reviewing existing literature, the study identified five major factors: assessment and diagnostic bias, teacher knowledge and beliefs, contextual and school-level factors, structural inequities, and evidence gaps in research, revealing that overidentification often arises from the intersection of these factors. The review also highlights evidence-based solutions, including culturally and linguistically responsive assessment, continuous teacher professional development, family and community engagement, structural and policy reforms, and improved research practices. While limited by the …

Racial Disparities In Public Education: Examining The Black-White Achievement Gap, Cheryl A. Jackson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the persistent achievement gap between African American males and their White peers in public schools, focusing on how historical and systemic factors continue to shape educational outcomes. The research aims to understand the complex interplay among social, institutional, and historical influences that contribute to academic disparities. Using historical analysis and literature review, the study examines issues such as inequitable school funding, biased disciplinary practices, and structural barriers in education. Findings indicate that African American males encounter significant challenges, including limited access to high-quality instruction and disproportionate disciplinary actions. Additionally, the lasting effects of historical injustices, such as …

Current Practices In Training Paraeducators: A Literature Review, Rebekah Pearson

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

I conducted a brief literature review to examine current practices for training paraeducators in school settings. I reviewed literature published after 2010 using an online database. Using an author-made inclusion criterion, 13 articles were considered for review. Findings suggest that behavior skills training (BST), brief performance feedback, didactic training, and a strategy instruction framework are currently being used to train paraeducators. These trainings have yielded positive results in increasing desired paraeducator behaviors. I conclude by discussing the limitations and directions for future research.

Comparison Of Video Modeling And Naturalistic Time Delay For Children With Autism In Preschool Classrooms, Makenna A. Briggs

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

This study presents findings from an alternating adapted treatments design (AATD) that compared the use of video modeling and naturalistic time delay to teach language targets to children with autism. The research included two U.S. preschool students with a provisional diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both participants met criterion with time delay.

How Do Couples Of Autistic Children Perceive Their Quality Of Life? A Case Study Featuring Sequential Mixed Methodology, Amanda Duncan Dr.

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

Families who have autistic children report significantly lower quality of life indicators than neurotypical families and those with other developmental disabilities (Bitsika & Sharpley, 2004; Brown et al., 2006; Charnsil & Bathia, 2010; De Sousa, 2010; Merkaj et al., 2013). However, the reports fluctuate between family members as mothers report more mental health challenges than fathers, including stress, anxiety, and depression (Dabrowska & Pstiula, 2010; Hodapp et al., 2003; Merkaj et al., 2013). Yet, these findings are based on the limited research that has been done on fathers and couples (Cheuk & Lashewicz, 2015; Osborne & Reed, 2008; Papageorgiou & …

Influence Of Naturalistic Language Intervention On Child Communication And Engagement, Olivia R. Abate

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

The purpose of this study is to parallel naturalistic instructional contexts that often occur during caregiver-child interactions (e.g., one-to-one arrangement during play) to learn more about how children respond when prompting is introduced compared to responsive interaction strategies alone or with environmental arrangement strategies. This exploratory study was designed to evaluate the potential differential effects within an ATD, comparing RI alone, RI + EA, and RI + MP on joint engagement, communication acts, and interfering behaviors. This study is ongoing and lacks results for communication acts. Preliminary results supported and contradicted aspects of the hypothesis: joint engagement would occur at …

Enhancing Communication For Individuals With Complex Communication Needs: The Critical Role Of Training And Evidence-Based Aac Strategies, Rachel H. Williams

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

Professional training and evidence-based strategies can enhance communication for individuals with complex communication needs (CCN). These individuals often require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to express themselves effectively. However, the success of AAC use depends largely on the competence of educators, speech-language pathologists, and other support personnel. The paper emphasizes the necessity of targeted professional development in strategies such as aided language modeling (ALM) and core vocabulary instruction. ALM involves modeling AAC use in natural contexts, while core vocabulary instruction focuses on teaching high- frequency, versatile words to support generative and functional communication. Integrating these strategies across settings improves …

Assessing Generalization Along Side Acquisition Using System Of Least Prompts Versus Video Modeling Plus System Of Least Prompts Of Simulated Vocational Tasks, Victoria B. Shafer

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

The purpose of this study was to assess if system of least prompts alone or video modeling plus system of least prompts was more effective when teaching a student with a moderate intellectual disability three simulated vocational tasks using paper materials. Additionally, generalization was assessed using real-world materials. An adapted alternating treatment design was used to compare conditions. The results indicated that system of least prompts alone was more effective than video modeling plus system of least prompts. There was no demonstration of generalization.

Effectiveness Of Class-Wide Function Related Intervention Teams On The On-Task Behavior Of Middle School Students With Disabilities In A Resource Settings, Sharon Manikya

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

The current study examined the effectiveness of Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) in promoting on-task behavior and improving classroom functioning. The study was conducted with five students, and a single-subject withdrawal experimental design was used to evaluate the impact of CW-FIT on students’ behavior. Results demonstrated a functional relation between the intervention and increased on-task behavior. Overall, findings indicated that CW-FIT had a positive effect on student behavior and classroom functioning, suggesting that the intervention is an effective strategy for enhancing engagement and promoting a productive learning environment. Implications for future research include examining CW-FIT with larger groups of students, …