Special Education and Teaching Commons^™

Mindfulness: The Missing Link In Education, Ashley L. Baer

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Were you asked to pay attention or behave in school? As educators, we must stop expecting focus and self-regulation, and instead we must teach it. Learn how in this experiential session to connect and regulate students using the breathing ball, games, breath, and movement. Let’s practice!

The Power Of Team Sports And One Caring Adult, Don Poole

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

When team sports are combined with one adult(Synergy) you can give a child a "Why". Also when you committ to not use limiting beliefs or make judgements about a child's future the sky is the limit. Using the Goldfish principles amazing outcomes will happen!

Unshackling Our Youth Through Love And Mutual Recognition: Notes From An Undergraduate Class On School Discipline Inspired By Ta-Nehisi Coates And Bell Hooks, Gene Fellner, Mark Comesañas, Tahjuan Ferrell

Publications and Research

This research essay challenges educators to embrace mutual recognition when interacting with students. Our data are the words of the young people who participated with us in one particular undergraduate class on school discipline at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States in the fall of 2022. Tahjuan, who had been our student in the 7th grade in 2011, co-taught the class with us. In writing this essay and in teaching the class, we were inspired by a short passage fromTa-Nehisi Coates about the shackling young people of color endure and another, by bell hooks, that proposes …

Humor And School Culture In Special Education Schools, Saied Hussein Bishara

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Recently there have been discussions about the importance of incorporating humor, particularly in subjects such as mathematics, languages and more. The aim of integrating humor into the educational context stems from the need to mitigate the learning atmosphere that is seen as serious and boring, especially in special education schools. Therefore, the aim of the current research is to study the relationship between the integration of humor in teaching and learning and school culture in special education schools. Humor can have a positive impact on the school, as it stimulates students' interest and memory, and leads to interaction based on …

Returning To School After A Pandemic: K-6 Special Education Teachers Perspectives On Students With Disabilities Returning To School In Regard To Mindset, Behavior, Social Connections, And Academic Achievement, Andrea Xenios

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to determine K-6 special education educators’ perceptions of the impact on students with disabilities returning to school after the trauma of a pandemic for 2 years with regard to behavior, academic achievement, mindset, and social connections.

Methodology: This qualitative study interviewed 10 special education teachers who taught before, during, and after the pandemic in Orange County, CA. Semi-structured open ended interview questions was the main source of data collection with other sources including observations, and artifacts. Data was coded and the researcher analyzed the data for themes and patterns.

Findings: The study …

“Not A Stereotype”: A Teacher Framework For Evaluating Disability Representation In Children’S Picture Books, H. Emily Hayden, Angela M.T. Prince

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Researchers and educators have explored representations of people with marginalized identities in children’s picturebooks for over 30 years. Disability has not been widely acknowledged as a marginalized identity nor explored as an aspect of diversity prevalent in classrooms. In the United States, over seven million students are identified with a disability, and most will spend the majority of their school day in general education classrooms. Like other diverse students, they may not see their identities mirrored in classroom literature. Picturebooks featuring main characters with a disability are rare, and some still foreground medical models, limiting individuals with narrow, ableist notions …

Inclusive Settings In Belizean Primary Schools: A Focus On Teacher Practices, Katherine A. Curry, Jentre Olsen, Ed Harris, Candy Garnett, Dian Danderson

Journal of Global Education and Research

Educators in Belize are charged with ensuring that all Belizeans are given an opportunity to acquire a quality education that promotes personal development and productive citizenship. Consequently, Belizean law now requires all children from ages five through fourteen to attend at least eight years of primary school. Students with special needs have historically not received accommodations in the education system, so many teachers struggle with meeting the needs of students with learning disabilities in these inclusive settings. This qualitative case study explored teaching strategies and contextual factors in inclusive primary classrooms in Belize and was conducted in the form of …

Inclusive Postsecondary Education's Effect On Individuals With Idd: A Systematic Literature Review, Hunter Wolff

University Honors Theses

With the purpose of evaluating the impact of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) effects on those experiencing intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), a systematic literature review was conducted. Proponents of the expansion of these programs often cite participant growth in academic-related skills, socialization, and competitive integrated employment. While several studies document these benefits, few studies present and discuss all the data collectively. This review aims to both locate the data that shows how IPSE programs affect the students within them as well as to provide a location in which all the data can be accessed. A thorough conducting of the research …

A Phenomenological Study Of School Psychologists: The Influence Of Implicit Bias On The Disproportionate Identification Rates Of African American Students Evaluated For Emotional Disturbance, Sonya Coe-Milo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As advocates, school psychologists remain ethically responsible and uniquely positioned to identify social injustices and promote nondiscriminatory practices in prekindergarten through grade 12 public education institutions. Implicit bias and its influence on African American students is one such practice. In public education, implicit bias contributes to discipline disproportionality, differentiated teacher support, pedagogical practices, and adult perceptions and expectations of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. These factors directly correlate to the disproportionate identification rates of African American students for special education and related services. Therefore, this phenomenological qualitative study examined the personal, lived experiences and perceptions of school psychologists regarding implicit bias …

Alternative Education Center Teachers' Experiences With Identifying Dyslexia Characteristics In Students: A Phenomenology, Natasha P. Peoples

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explore the experiences of 10 participants teaching at a North Texas alternative education center, focusing on identifying dyslexia characteristics. The research is grounded in self-efficacy theory and phonological deficit theory, which both contribute to understanding lifelong effects of reading difficulties, particularly dyslexia. Self-efficacy theory emphasizes task-specific beliefs, while phonological deficit theory underscores the importance of accurate letter sound representation for a strong alphabetic foundation. Employing a phenomenological approach, the study gathers participants' perceptions, employing a triangulation method for data collection through interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. Data analysis followed Moustakas' modification of the Van Kaam method to …

Goal Attainment And Quality Of Life Through Inclusive College, Kate Strater, Mia Kurkechian, Kassandra Weber

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

With growing opportunity for students with intellectual and developmental disability to access a variety of inclusive higher education programs comes an increased need for program implementers to evaluate practices and outcomes alongside participants. This mixed method, exploratory study examines self-determined goal setting, goal attainment, and quality of life within an inclusive college program as a measure of participant outcome and program evaluation. Furthermore, it provides implications for the importance of self-determined learning and participant voice within program planning, revision, and implementation.1

Identifying Critical Employability Skills For Employment Success Of Autistic Individuals: A Content Analysis Of Job Postings, Amy Jane Griffiths, Amy E. Hurley-Hanson, Cristina M. Giannantonio, Angel Miles Nash, Wallace Walrod, Petersen Walrod, Rachel Torres, Raquel Delgado

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study aimed to examine the literature on the skill sets of autistic individuals and determine how these skills align with current and projected future labour market needs. Based on a literature review, researchers identified the following skill categories common to autistic individuals: visual skills, attention to detail and systemizing composite skills. Researchers then gathered aggregated data on occupations and industries from over 90 state and federal sources in the United States. Next, they collected data on the most in-demand jobs, their industries and relevant skills by analysing hundreds of millions of online job postings. The results indicate the most …

Self- Determination And Student- Led Ieps, Elizabeth R. Clarke

Empowering Educators Conference

In this session, Dr. Clarke and her student, a high school senior, will analyze and instruct educational professionals about self-determination. She will explain how to give students a voice in their IEP and their educational plans, as well as the subsequent effects: boosting motivation, independence and academic success.

Solving Word Problems With Rads: Read, Ask Questions, Draw And Solve, Tolulope Sulaimon, Sheila Alber-Morgan, Moira Konrad

Constellations: Online STEM Teacher Education Journal

Addressing the inherent complexity of word problem solving (WPS) in mathematics education requires a multifaceted approach. While recent research has predominantly emphasized problem representation, the often-overlooked process of problem comprehension is equally crucial. One promising strategy is the integration of self-questioning from a schema perspective, which empowers students to activate their prior knowledge, enhance comprehension, and construct meaningful problem representations. Additionally, the RADS (Read, Ask Questions, Draw, and Solve) framework provides a structured and systematic approach to WPS, combining schema-based instruction and self-questioning to equip students with a comprehensive problem-solving toolkit. By integrating self-questioning into RADS, educators can guide students …

A Mixed Method Study Of Teachers' Perception Of Positive Reinforcement For Behavior Management, Maricela B. Aceves Ed.D., Debra L. Cote Ph.D., Sue Singh Ph.D., Ayako Shweikle Ph.D., Shannon L. Sparks Ph.D.

Journal of Critical Issues in Educational Practice

Abstract

Positive reinforcement is a behavior management technique supported by empirical evidence, known to enhance student performance and their outcomes (Alberto et al., 2022; Fabiano & Pelham, 2003; Scheuermann, 2022). However, many teachers encounter difficulties in effectively implementing this tool in their everyday classroom teaching practices. This mixed methods study aimed to contribute to existing literature focusing on instructional behavior of credentialed teachers. The findings revealed that teachers who received training in PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) observed the following: (1) the overall benefits of rewarding appropriate student behavior with activities, (2) the significance of having adequate resources and …

Community Of Inquiry: Designing Quality Online Instruction For Special Educator Preparation, Haidee Jackson, Sohyun Yang

Advanced Education Programs Faculty Publications

Online education programs are on the rise and institutions of higher learning are utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) to facilitate online learning. The Community of Inquiry (CoI; Garrison et al., 1999) framework identifies three categories of cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence to guide the development of online instruction and has been adopted by numerous institutions of higher learning. This article identifies instructional strategies conducive to the design of online presence using the CoI framework to ensure quality learning experiences in online special educator preparation programs. We address some of the features of LMS system tools present in Canvas …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Factors That Contribute To Persistence In Online Doctoral Programs For Students With Learning Disabilities Or Adhd, Jerry L. Pitts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to discover the factors that contributed to persistence in online doctoral programs for students with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s theory of student persistence, as it suggested the more students were academically and socially integrated into their institution, the more likely they were to persist in their studies. The Central research question of this study is, “What are the factors that contribute to persistence in online doctoral programs for students with LD and ADHD?” Participants in this study consisted of seven …

Your Story, Your Life, Your Learning: Autobiography Reveals Basis For Supporting Personalized, Holistic Pedagogy, Michael Maser

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

Each person ongoingly experiences the world uniquely through vital processes shaping their subjectivity, personhood and sense of self. Learning, an innate characteristic or modality of each human life, of living, likewise arises subjectively or idiosyncratically. In this paper, a phenomenological lens is applied to auto/biographical excerpts concerned with various learning experiences to help reveal essential, subjective characteristics of emergent learning. The insights help establish a basis for challenging the primacy of objectivist learning evaluations. The insights also confirm the importance of personalizing learning as a pedagogical gesture nurturing and enfranchising student learning in significant ways beyond conventional educational approaches …

“We’Re Not Walking Schools”: Storying The Pandemic Schooling Experiences Of Mothers Of Children With Disabilities, Kristi Cheyney-Collante, Lindsey Chapman, Shaunté Duggins

The Qualitative Report

This article describes a study designed to better understand the fallout of extended school closures and staggered re-openings for one group heavily impacted by the pandemic, mothers of children with disabilities. Using feminist ways of knowing as the backdrop, we explored how a small group of mothers experienced pandemic-related educational shifts. We aimed to provide solidarity and a space of care. We employed narrative methods to support the storying of their individual and collective experiences. Data were synthesized vis-à-vis participants’ ethic of care, particularly in relationship to the power structures they traversed. Taking a deep dive into the experiences of …

A Design-Based, Mixed Methodology Study On Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices Among Speech-Language Pathologists In A Midwestern School District, Sarah E. Schmid

Dissertations

As autism diagnosis increased (Maenner et al., 2023; Wright, 2017), autistic individuals increasingly advocated for services aligned with a neurodiversity perspective (Jordan, 2010; Leadbitter et al., 2021). Using a human centric, design-based approach, the researcher identified a lack of alignment between the emerging preferences of the autistic community and the services speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in a large, suburban special education school district felt competent in providing. Some SLPs in the district reported a lack of knowledge and training about the neurodiversity movement and felt further training on the topic was needed. Once the knowledge gap was identified, the researcher worked …

Knowledge And Skills Of Special Education Teachers In Implementing Evidence-Based Practices, Fatmah R. Almutiri, Sultanah F. Alotaibi, Norah A. Albaz, Sarah S. Alfawaz

International Journal for Research in Education

This study aimed at knowing the reality of special education teachers’ knowledge and skills in implementing evidence-based practices, the factors contributing to this knowledge, and its impact on implementing these practices. The mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used with its two phases: In the quantitative phase, a descriptive survey was used through a questionnaire that was distributed to (311) male and female teachers in the three school levels in Riyadh. Results showed that the teachers’ knowledge of evidence-based practices was medium. However, the results revealed that their implementation skills level of evidence-based practices was low. There were statistically significant differences …

Determining The More Effective Behavior Analytic Intervention For Children With Autism Who Exhibit Pica Behaviors, Jennifer J. Lanham

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Determining the More Effective Behavior Analytic Intervention for Children With Autism Who Exhibit Pica Behaviors. Jennifer J. Lanham, 2024: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: autism, pica, eating disorders, intervention, applied behavior analysis

This dissertation was designed to determine which behavior analytic intervention was more effective in the treatment and reduction of mouthing non-nutritive substances in children diagnosed with autism. This study included four participants in an A-B-A reversal design with a component analysis across four intervention phases. The study participants were enrolled in a center-based treatment environment …

Underserved And Underrecognized: Elevating Teaching Strategies, Special Education Eligibility, And Educational Outcomes For Grade 2-6 Girls On The Autism Spectrum, Jessica T. Ford

Doctorate in Education

This study involved a qualitative exploratory case study research design and employed in-depth online interviews as the primary data collection method. Participants were former or current special education teachers in Minnesota who had worked with Grade 2-6 girls on the autism spectrum and were sourced from professional networks, educational associations, online platforms, chain sampling, and snowball sampling. This study sought to elucidate the reasons behind the underidentification of girls eligible for autism spectrum special education services, streamline their qualification process, reveal practical educational strategies for academic, emotional, and social support, and furnish accessible resources and training alternatives for classroom teachers …

2024, Camp Research Forum Book Of Abstracts, American Camp Association

ACA National Camp Research Forum Abstracts

This book includes 29 abstracts that will be presented at the 2024 American Camp Association (ACA) Research Forum to be held during the ACA annual conference from February 5-9 in New Orleans, LA. Abstracts have been grouped into similar areas and will be presented across five verbal sessions and one poster session.

Supporting Emotional Behavior Disorder Students In The Mainstream Classroom, Angela R. Cope

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with Emotional Behavioral Disorder (EBD) face extreme barriers within the school system as well as in their adult life. Teachers across the country are seeing an increase in student behavior within the classroom and are feeling a lack of support and training to better support EBD students. Behaviors are impacting the teacher’s ability to teach and the ability of students to learn. Research suggests that general education teachers hold mixed attitudes regarding the inclusion and the education of students with disabilities; some feel they are unprepared to teach students with disabilities (Barton-Arwood et al., 2016). Our education system must …

The Effects Of Social Media On Adolescents Pre And Post Covid 19, Shelley E. Moses

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the effects of social media on adolescents, with a specific focus on the dual impact before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research investigates the shifts in social relationships and communication during COVID-19, the influence of social media on adolescent mental health, educational challenges and innovations, and developmental processes and identity formation post-COVID-19. Key findings indicate that social media usage increased significantly during the pandemic, altering how adolescents interact and form relationships. Prolonged social media exposure exacerbated mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, yet platforms also provided crucial support networks. Technology has become essential in …

Effects Of Emotional And Behavioral Disorders And Executive Dysfunction On Literacy Achievement: Through The Lens Of Secondary-Level Education, Natalie Deutsch

Student Research Poster Presentations 2024

The study examined the effects of emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) and executive dysfunction on literacy achievement in secondary-level education. The research questions focused on behavior interventions for at-risk students with behavioral disorders, the association between E/BD signs and reading deficits, incorporating executive functioning skills into reading instruction, and the positive and negative effects of self-contained classrooms on students with EBD. The study found that accommodating the specific needs of students with E/BD and executive dysfunction led to a statistically significant increase in mean test scores. The methods involved tiered intervention programs within the Units of Study curriculum, executive functioning …

Changes In Special Education Teacher Roles While Implementing One-To-One Devices In Rural Secondary Public Schools, Heather Farley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Successful technology integration takes many forms and performs several functions, but at its core, the integration of technology into a curriculum must feel seamless, be student-centered, and begin with the end goal in mind. The purpose of this study was to explore how the role and function of middle and high school special education teachers have changed after integrating one-to-one student devices in their classrooms. This study used a qualitative, phenomenological approach to look at how the roles of middle and high school special education teachers have changed due to the implementation of a one-to-one device initiative in a rural …

Instructional Strategies For Supporting Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Charlotte Alexander Simmons

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Everything revolves around rountines and to be great at anything, you have to offer communiation and cler expectations. Typical routines involve moving to a designated area of instruction or location. Planning out certain times will give students a sense of structure to help them transition well in life. They willl know how to comply with rules, adhere to guidelines and boundaries. When students develop routines it helps them to be successful. Modeling explict, guided instructions, strategy helps students comprehend routines that foster self-awareness, self- regulation, and social skills. Implementing routines and predictability into the classroom can result in increased skill …

Enhancing Learning Through Sign Language, Christopher Lane Pomeroy

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developmental disabilities, such as cognitive delays or autism, are often associated with challenges in verbal communication. These challenges can limit a student’s ability to engage and demonstrate understanding in academic settings. Identifying alternative forms of expression, such as manual sign language, can be crucial in promoting learning within special education environments. This paper explores research on the physical and mental skills involved in using manual sign language for communication, examines interventions that use sign language to enhance understanding and basic communication, and discusses the potential for generalizing sign language as a tool in academic and societal contexts.