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Full-Text Articles in School Psychology

School Psychology Shortages In West Virginia, Elizabeth Anne Sutfin Jan 2021

School Psychology Shortages In West Virginia, Elizabeth Anne Sutfin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The United States continues to experience a shortage of school psychologists nationwide which has been found to impact both students and school psychologists in negative ways. There is a broad scope of practice that school psychologists are competently able to provide but are physically unable to deliver because of their need to focus on required assessments and testing. Overwhelming workloads can create stress and lead to burnout. However, little research has been done to understand the shortage of school psychologists in the country, including the state of West Virginia. To better understand West Virginia’s shortage problem, this researcher conducted a …


An Examination Of The Use Of The Bess With Rural Appalachian Preschoolers, Savana B. Earnest Jan 2021

An Examination Of The Use Of The Bess With Rural Appalachian Preschoolers, Savana B. Earnest

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The use of universal behavioral screenings is endorsed by school psychology training programs as a gold standard of practice, but the implementation of these screenings is less common. Due to this, it is crucial that research examines reliability, validity, and all other psychometric properties when implementing a universal behavioral screening. Literature tells us that the BESS TRSP has shown to have moderate-to-high predictive validity and high stability coefficients in a variety of urban and rural populations of preschool and school age children. This research examined stability of high and low risk scores on the BESS TRSP within a rural Appalachian …


School Administrator Perceptions And Actions Toward Reducing Mental Health Factors To Learning, Andrew Charles Teti Jan 2020

School Administrator Perceptions And Actions Toward Reducing Mental Health Factors To Learning, Andrew Charles Teti

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Approximately one in five children have a mental health need that impacts their academic functioning (World Health Organization, 2004). This study investigated what actions school administrators who oversee kindergarten through eighth grade, and how their perceptions of mental health have impacted those decisions. Both a survey and an interview were conducted with current school administrators in three counties in Western Pennsylvania. Findings suggested that administrators take mental health factors to learning very seriously and place a significant amount of pressure on themselves to address this barrier. Additionally, school administrators utilize a team approach to focus on mental health in the …


Collectivism In Central Appalachia: Educational And Career Implications, Heidi Leigh Creamer Jan 2019

Collectivism In Central Appalachia: Educational And Career Implications, Heidi Leigh Creamer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Individualistic cultures tend to focus on freedom, individuality, and personal autonomy. Mainstream America is found to be a vertical individualistic society, but research has shown there are pockets of collectivistic cultures within the US. Collectivistic cultures, in contrast, tend to focus on family, conformity, and thinking of the group before one’s self. Collectivism arises due to a population’s need to rely on one another for resources. As such, low resource environments are subject to having collectivistic values. Research suggests that collectivism rates are higher in impoverished areas, such as Appalachia. This investigation focused on central Appalachia and the attributes that …


An Assessment Of The Perceptions Of School Professionals Regarding Prenatal Substance Exposure, Aliyah Vicia Mickey Jan 2019

An Assessment Of The Perceptions Of School Professionals Regarding Prenatal Substance Exposure, Aliyah Vicia Mickey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Children who have been prenatally exposed to drugs are at higher risk of experiencing academic and behavioral difficulties as they become students. Current research is limited on the specific long-term social-emotional, behavioral, and cognitive effects for school-aged children. As these children advance into the schools, they need knowledgeable school professionals and evidence-based interventions that will support their academic and behavioral well-being. The purpose of the current investigation served to gather information regarding school professionals’ experiences, knowledge, and self-efficacy related to prenatal substance exposure of students. The results from the survey indicated school professionals are reporting having general knowledge of facets …


Trauma Sensitive Schools And The Psychoeducational Evaluation, Barbara Jordan Jan 2019

Trauma Sensitive Schools And The Psychoeducational Evaluation, Barbara Jordan

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences, commonly referred to as ACEs, negatively impacts various physical and psychological aspects of the body and can result in a number of detrimental life outcomes including disease, mental health disorders, and even early death. The negative effects of ACE exposure begin long before adulthood, often resulting in academic and behavioral difficulties for school-aged children. Since school psychologists strive to advocate for the needs of all students, ensure correct special education categorization, and promote trauma-sensitive practices in schools, it is beneficial for them to have knowledge of ACEs and trauma that impact the students they serve. …


Educator Perceptions Of Suspension And Suspension Alternatives, Jori Williams Jan 2019

Educator Perceptions Of Suspension And Suspension Alternatives, Jori Williams

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Research shows that suspension can have a negative impact on public school students’ academic and behavioral outcomes. To better understand how educators view the impact of suspension and the efficacy of suspension alternatives on student outcomes, 149 public school educators were surveyed from diverse academic departments and programmatic levels in a western North Carolina county. Findings indicate that although participants generally did not perceive suspension to be effective for improving behavioral outcomes, educators were more likely to endorse suspension for students without disabilities compared to students with cognitive or emotional-behavioral concerns. Educators in the survey perceived Social Emotional Learning to …


Preparedness Of School Psychologists To Provide Services For Students Diagnosed With Cancer, Lauren Mckenzie Blevins Jan 2018

Preparedness Of School Psychologists To Provide Services For Students Diagnosed With Cancer, Lauren Mckenzie Blevins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Children who survive cancer face many challenges when reintegrating into the school system. School psychologists are among the school support professionals who may aid in providing support and identifying appropriate interventions and accommodations for the academic and mental health needs of these students. This study identifies whether school psychologists in West Virginia perceive themselves to be adequately prepared to assist students who have survived cancer upon returning to school. A survey containing fourteen questions regarding the individual’s experience, training, and knowledge was distributed to school psychologists in attendance at the Fall 2016 West Virginia School Psychologists’ Association conference. Of the …


Underrepresenting Disproportionality : An Interdisciplinary Bibliographic Content Analysis, Stacy B. Fooce Jan 2018

Underrepresenting Disproportionality : An Interdisciplinary Bibliographic Content Analysis, Stacy B. Fooce

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Students of color and those with disabilities have been disproportionally identified, placed, and disciplined in education. As a result, IDEA 2004 requires states to have policies and procedures in effect to prevent and reduce disproportionate representation by race and ethnicity in the areas of identification, discipline, and placement of children with disabilities. Despite the policies, black students are still 1) suspended or expelled at a rate two-to-three times higher than white students; 2) 2.8 times more likely to be identified as having a high-incidence disability; 3) more likely to be placed in a more restrictive environment. Because these disparities continue …


Relationship Between The Wj-Iv Ach Reading Tests And The Gort-5, Emily D. Nestor Jan 2018

Relationship Between The Wj-Iv Ach Reading Tests And The Gort-5, Emily D. Nestor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present study examined the relationship between the Gray Oral Reading Test – Fifth Edition and the Woodcock Johnson-IV Achievement Tests in reading in a sample of 104 school age participants between the ages of 7 and 18. Pearson correlations tests indicated large correlations (r=.87, p=.01) between the GORT-5 ORI and the WJ IV ACH Broad Reading cluster. Additional comparisons for fluency and comprehension yielded comparable results (r=.85, p=.01; r=.84, p=.01). Similarly, a Fisher’s Exact Test illustrated that the odds of scoring at or below the tenth percentile on the WJ IV ACH was very high when a student scored …


School-Based Evaluations For Students With Intellectual Disabilities: Is "Sufficiently Comprehensive" Good Enough?, Elizabeth E. Robinson Jan 2017

School-Based Evaluations For Students With Intellectual Disabilities: Is "Sufficiently Comprehensive" Good Enough?, Elizabeth E. Robinson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Federal special education law affords a child suspected of having a disability a comprehensive evaluation when referred for services under IDEA 2004. The purpose of this study was to examine school psychologists’ procedures, practices, and beliefs in implementing a multi-faceted evaluation for children suspected of having intellectual disability (ID). Record reviews and practitioner interviews were used to assess 135 student records in three West Virginia Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to determine the extent to which sufficiently comprehensive evaluations existed; the percentages of comorbid or secondary disabilities identified; and best practices for comprehensive evaluations of intellectual disability, according to practitioners. The …


The Relationship Between The Gray Oral Reading Test, Fifth Edition (Gort-5) And Woodcock Johnson Test Of Achievement, Fourth Edition (Wj Iv Ach) For Referred Children, Megan Edwards Jan 2017

The Relationship Between The Gray Oral Reading Test, Fifth Edition (Gort-5) And Woodcock Johnson Test Of Achievement, Fourth Edition (Wj Iv Ach) For Referred Children, Megan Edwards

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Most children will learn to read when provided early literacy opportunities and reading instruction in early elementary school. However, approximately 20 percent of children will struggle to read and necessitate supplemental reading intervention. A smaller subset of struggling readers, moreover, will require sustained, intensive reading intervention, as well as accommodations provided through special education. Although universal screeners and progress monitoring instruments can be useful in guiding instructional strategies and gauging a student’s response to an evidenced-based reading intervention, norm-referenced screening tools can additionally be beneficial in identifying struggling readers who likely have specific learning disabilities. The purpose of the present …


Appalachian Parent Perceptions Of Adhd Symptomology, Shaina Lee Meadows Jan 2016

Appalachian Parent Perceptions Of Adhd Symptomology, Shaina Lee Meadows

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most widely documented referral concern among children and adolescents referred to mental health practitioners. The current study examined Appalachian parents’ (N=68) knowledge of ADHD, accuracy in identifying ADHD symptoms, and treatment preferences. Findings of the survey indicate the majority of parents received no training on ADHD; however, most were able to recognize the majority of the signs of ADHD. Equally important, parents of children with ADHD and those who reported receiving some form of ADHD training demonstrated a negligible advantage in correctly identifying ADHD symptoms. Results, moreover, showed a significant preference for discipline as a …


Appalachian Teachers' Referral For Adhd In Contrast To Giftedness In Selected Vignettes, Alexandria Rose Mejia Jan 2016

Appalachian Teachers' Referral For Adhd In Contrast To Giftedness In Selected Vignettes, Alexandria Rose Mejia

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

ADHD is the most widely diagnosed behavior disorder in children however, the nonstandardized nature of an ADHD evaluation can lead to misdiagnosis. Teachers often initiate referrals, though symptoms associated with ADHD can also be observed in gifted students. Appalachia has reported rates of ADHD that are much higher than the national average. It is therefore important that the factors that influence referral are better understood. This study hypothesized that priming to giftedness would reduce the likelihood that a teacher would refer for an ADHD evaluation in ambiguous vignettes and that teachers primed to consider giftedness will rate characteristics of ADHD …


A Correlational Study Of Self-Regulation And Fine Arts In Education, Rachel D. Hendricks Jan 2016

A Correlational Study Of Self-Regulation And Fine Arts In Education, Rachel D. Hendricks

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Self-regulation positively relates to student behavior and achievement, and fine arts participation has demonstrated similar improvements in behavior and achievement. It was hypothesized that participation in school-based fine arts would positively correlate with self-regulation, and the intensity of students’ fine arts participation would also correlate with self-regulation. Students aged 15 to 19 were administered a self-regulation questionnaire. Responses from students currently participating in fine arts were compared to students with no fine arts participation to find if a relationship exists between fine arts and self-regulation. This study found no significant relationship between fine arts participation and self-regulation, and no significant …


Age Of Kindergarten Entry And Rate Of Specific Learning Disabilities, Elizabeth A. Crum Jan 2016

Age Of Kindergarten Entry And Rate Of Specific Learning Disabilities, Elizabeth A. Crum

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Kindergarten age eligibility requirements vary from state to state; however, school districts typically admit children into kindergarten in the fall following a student’s fifth birthday. Research on the outcomes of five-year-old children and children whose entry was delayed until age six is contradictory. The current study was conducted to add to the existing literature to assist families and policy makers with decision making regarding appropriate kindergarten entry age. The sample included 541 second through seventh grade students from a small rural school district. Actual and predicted counts of students who were later found eligible for specific learning disabilities were examined …


Bibliometic Analysis Of Reading Research In Deaf Education Journals, Lisha Ann Tignor Jan 2016

Bibliometic Analysis Of Reading Research In Deaf Education Journals, Lisha Ann Tignor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

There are known differences in reading development between DHH and hearing populations, but there is limited research in the field of reading development in DHH populations. The aim of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to examine two major journal outlets focused on the advancement of the education of children and adults who are DHH to determine 1) the extent to which the peer-reviewed literature focuses on reading instruction and its five elements; 2) the most influential authors being cited in this area of research; 3) the age of the research being cited; 4) the influence of related disciplines …


Using Reading Cbm To Predict Performance On Smarter Balanced Assessment, Jonathan Wesley Shank Jan 2016

Using Reading Cbm To Predict Performance On Smarter Balanced Assessment, Jonathan Wesley Shank

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined the relationship between AIMSweb oral reading fluency (R-CBM) and reading comprehension (MAZE) curriculum-based measures and performance on the English language arts/literacy (ELA/L) component of the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) using a sample of students in third through fifth grade (N = 499). Pearson correlations between R-CBM, MAZE, and SBA were moderate to high, with R-CBM generally demonstrating the strongest relationships with coefficients ranging from .73 to .75. Results from hierarchical multiple regression models indicated that R-CBM provided strong predictive validity for SBA performance among third grade students (63.4% variance explained, p<.001), while the addition of MAZE to the equation was negligible (1.4% additional variance explained, p<.001). Similar findings resulted from the fourth and fifth grade multiple regression models. The predictive value of R-CBM and MAZE each decreased as grade level increased. Results support continued use of CBM to predict success on the Smarter Balanced Assessment, although CBM using cloze passages explained little variance in high-stakes test scores beyond that of oral reading fluency alone.


Reading Compliance In A School Psychology Graduate Program, Britainey Anne Cooper Jan 2015

Reading Compliance In A School Psychology Graduate Program, Britainey Anne Cooper

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to collect data on graduate reading compliance specific to the field of school psychology. This study examined the amount of required reading completed by graduate students in a National Association of School Psychologists accredited school psychology training program. An online questionnaire developed by McMinn & colleagues (2009) was adapted to fit the context of the current study. Thirty-two students (70%) responded. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that reading compliance was affected by the number of adults living with students, F(1, 20) = 6.14, p = .022, ηp2 = .235. Students were most motivated to …


A Regional Comparison Of Intellectual Disability Rates In Appalachia, Tiffany D. Yancey Jan 2015

A Regional Comparison Of Intellectual Disability Rates In Appalachia, Tiffany D. Yancey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined administrative prevalence rates of Intellectual Disability for children and adolescents within Southern West Virginia over a three-year-period compared to rates in neighboring Virginia counties with designated Appalachian status to determine if significantly different rates were evident, and if prevalence varied according to poverty, maternal age, and race/ethnicity across all districts. The results revealed that despite Southern West Virginia and Western Virginia being geographically similar, Southern West Virginia LEAs maintain significantly higher ID rates. Findings indicated poverty and teen pregnancy are correlated with higher ID rates but not race/ethnicity. The prevalence study points to the need for additional …


Correlates Of Exhibition-Like Experiences And The Development Of Exhibitionism In Females, Sarah Fouch Jan 2015

Correlates Of Exhibition-Like Experiences And The Development Of Exhibitionism In Females, Sarah Fouch

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine possible events or risk factors that occur during the critical period of learning, before age 18, that influence an individual to engage in exhibitionism or have urges to expose themselves. Anonymous data from 2,201 female participants were obtained using a computer-assisted self-administered questionnaire. Early experiences were examined to determine risk factors for ever having exposed themselves in a public place or ever having had urges to expose themselves in public places using logistic regression analysis. Many of the events that were identified as significant predictors for exhibitionism, such as seeing the mother …


Effects Of Participation In Mihow Program On Maternal Smoking And Birthweight, Leah Elise White Jan 2015

Effects Of Participation In Mihow Program On Maternal Smoking And Birthweight, Leah Elise White

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This is a study of how participation in a community-based home-visitation program called Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) can have an effect on maternal smoking behavior and infant birthweight, and how the timing of enrollment can have an impact on those effects. Each participant was randomly assigned to the treatment or control group and answered survey questions during their pregnancies at the time of enrollment and after their babies reached one month of age. Results of this study indicated that the timing of enrollment did not have a significant effect on maternal smoking behavior or infant birthweight; however, the …


Nuclear Family Dynamics: Predictors Of Childhood Crushes And Adult Sexual Orientation, Natalie M. Campbell Jan 2015

Nuclear Family Dynamics: Predictors Of Childhood Crushes And Adult Sexual Orientation, Natalie M. Campbell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study investigated the effects of nuclear family dynamics on childhood crushes and adult sexual orientation. Retrospective data was gathered via an anonymous survey administered using a computer-assisted self-interview program. Data was collected from 1,242 non-transsexual males (age range 18-86) and 2,201 non-transsexual females (age range 18-78). Management of parental disagreements, maternal attitude about sex, parental composition of the nuclear family, maternal affection, and parental demonstration of affection predicted the sex of childhood crushes in males and/or females. Management of parental disagreement, parental attitude about sex, nudity practices within the home, parental demonstration of affection, and parental composition of the …


Parent Perceptions Of Parent-School Partnership Efforts For Students With Disabilities, Jessica Chadwick Jan 2015

Parent Perceptions Of Parent-School Partnership Efforts For Students With Disabilities, Jessica Chadwick

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The study examined parent-school partnership efforts, as reported and perceived by parents of students with disabilities in a Mid-Atlantic State. Due to the high correlation between parent involvement and academic success, these qualitative comments were deemed vital to ongoing special education improvement in the state. The study utilized the State Education Agency parent survey data which was collected in accordance with the State Performance Plan / Annual Performance Report requirements under Section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. Survey responses from parents of students with disabilities were aggregated and analyzed for local education agencies. These comments …


A Longitudinal Study Of States' Idea Part B School-Family Partnership Data, Channing Daniels Jan 2015

A Longitudinal Study Of States' Idea Part B School-Family Partnership Data, Channing Daniels

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In 2005, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandated that the percent of parents who report that schools facilitated parental involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities be reported to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The purpose of this study was to analyze the variability in methodologies used by 20 different states over eight years. The findings indicated the gap between the higher and lower performing states were due primarily to the metric and standard chosen. States choosing measures and standards other than those recommended by National Center for Special Education …


Trends In Intellectual Disability Identification In West Virginia, Margaret M. Stephens Jan 2015

Trends In Intellectual Disability Identification In West Virginia, Margaret M. Stephens

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of Intellectual Disability (ID) in each of West Virginia’s Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Publicly available enrollment and disability counts were aggregated and used to calculate an administrative prevalence rate for each LEA annually, from 2004 to 2013. Prevalence was examined within and between LEAs, as well as between regions. The results indicate a decrease in the administrative prevalence of ID in 50 of 55 LEAs over the 10 years examined. Rates within LEAs varied between years. Additionally, school-based prevalence varied between RESAs, with RESA I and RESA VIII exhibiting the …


Critical Period Conditioning By Orgasm During Heterosexual Oral Sex, Kristy N. Woods Jan 2015

Critical Period Conditioning By Orgasm During Heterosexual Oral Sex, Kristy N. Woods

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Data were obtained retrospectively and anonymously using a computerized survey instrument from 450 female and 489 male participants who had experienced orgasm during oral sex before age 18, as well as 352 female and 151 male participants who had not experienced an orgasm while receiving oral sex before age 18. Female participants who experienced an orgasm during oral sex prior to age 18 were significantly more likely to experience an orgasm during oral sex after age 18. For male participants, although the difference was in the hypothesized direction, it did not reach significance. Female participants who experienced an orgasm during …


The Effect Of Group Therapy On Diabetes Specific Knowledge, Marci A. Hankins Jan 2015

The Effect Of Group Therapy On Diabetes Specific Knowledge, Marci A. Hankins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic illness that must be managed 24 hours a day with insulin administration and frequent blood glucose testing to maintain control. Because children spend a significant amount of their day at school, children with Type 1 Diabetes need additional support within the school setting. However, there are few studies investigating the school setting for support for children with Type 1 Diabetes. The current school-based study evaluated the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group therapy intervention on Diabetes Specific Knowledge. One child with Type 1 Diabetes and four peers without diabetes participated in the group therapy treatment. …


The Effect Of Free And Reduced Lunch On Reading And Math Achievement, Landon W. Evans Jan 2015

The Effect Of Free And Reduced Lunch On Reading And Math Achievement, Landon W. Evans

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined the effect of participating in the free and reduced price meal program on reading and math performance in first grade. The students were placed in three groups: the first qualified but did not report consuming either free meal, the second qualified, but only reported eating the free breakfast, and the third qualified and reported eating both a free breakfast and lunch. Two sets of standardized assessments (fall & spring) were given to the students in order to measure their academic skills. The fall assessments were used as the covariate to control for prior achievement, and the three …


A Comparison Study: The Kabc-Ii And Wj-Iv Cog With Students Referred For Academic Problems, Desiree Rachelle Nutt Jan 2015

A Comparison Study: The Kabc-Ii And Wj-Iv Cog With Students Referred For Academic Problems, Desiree Rachelle Nutt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study was conducted based on the limited availability of research comparing the KABC-II and WJ-IV COG. The study included 15 Caucasian students and 15 African American students between the ages of 8 years, 0 months to 13 years 7 months who attend a suburban school district in Ohio and were referred due to academic concerns. The sample consisted of 11 females and 19 males with an average age of 11 years, 5 months. Results found the correlation between the GIA and the MPI was r = .83, n = 30, p < .05 and the relationship between the GIA and the FCI to be r = .86, n = 30, p<.05. Results of a t-test found the scores for the GIA and FCI to be significantly different t(29)=3.57, p < .001. Correspondingly, t-test results for the GIA and MPI was t(29) = 3.07, p<.05.