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Theses/Dissertations from 2024

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How Students Benefit from Trauma Informed Instruction and Strategies, John Michael Webb
Trauma-informed teaching is a life changing undertaking that recognizes the important impact of trauma on students’ lives and learning experiences. This thesis provides a concise overview of the key principles and benefits of trauma-informe...

Theses/Dissertations from 2023

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Primary Causes of Burnout in Special Education Teachers and Strategies to Help Cope with and Deal with the Challenges of Burnout, Marissa L. Auer
Special education teachers encounter a variety of challenges throughout the academic school year. Burnout among special education teachers has proven to be a complex issue, with many factors playing a role. This thesis explored the primary ...

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The Impact of Trauma on the Learning and Development of Students Receiving Special Education Services, Mikayla M. Bebeau
Childhood trauma is known as a health crisis in America. Trauma can be defined in multiple different ways, can be displayed in different behaviors, and can be supported within school if done so appropriately. Within this literature review t...

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Culture of Encounter: A Post-intentional Phenomenological Exploration of How Responses to Problematic Student Behavior Come to Be for Elementary Catholic School Educators, Caroline Becker
“Phenomenological research has, as its ultimate aim, the fulfillment of our human nature: to become more fully who we are (van Manen, 1997, p. 12).” Rooted in van Manen’s purpose, this study was a post-intentional phenomenological explorati...

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Trauma-informed Instruction and How it Influences Mental Health Outcomes in Students With Disabilities, Jeffery Phillip Bishop
A growing body of research has shown that mental health needs among school-age children exceed the number of mental health professionals available to address those needs. Since students spend a lot of their time at school, much of the respo...

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Responding to Disruptive Behaviors in Educational Environments, Kelsey A. Black
Disruptive behaviors are a key factor in classroom management and student progress. Current research focuses on identifying the antecedents for such behavior in order to determine the style of intervention that will best support the student...

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Beyond Resilience: Arming Special Education Teachers With “Hope Theory” in the Fight Against Burnout, Eden E. Buchwald-McGlennon
Teachers have been forced to face many new workplace challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in March 2020; this has resulted in increased job-related stress. Pre-pandemic, teacher stress levels were already much higher than other oc...

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Bullying: Who is at-risk, what are the effects, and what can we do to stop it?, Samantha Nicole Buckley
The act of bullying is prevalent in today’s society. The average student in the United States experiences bullying in some form at least once throughout their academic career. Bullying can be defined as any act defined by the victim that is...

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Misidentifying English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities, Suzan Cevheroglu
This thesis explores the multifaceted issue of misidentifying English Language Learners (ELLs) with learning disabilities (LDs) in the educational system. The study begins by delving into the complicated reasons underlying such misidentific...

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Misidentifying English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities, Suzan Cevheroglu
This thesis explores the multifaceted issue of misidentifying English Language Learners (ELLs) with learning disabilities (LDs) in the educational system. The study begins by delving into the complicated reasons underlying such misidentific...

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Special Education Students in the Mainstream Classrooms, Nikki L. Evens
This systematic review of the literature aimed to understand the advantages of placing special education students in mainstream classrooms and identify barriers to positive experiences among special education students. Findings from seconda...

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Community School Programming, Timothy D Gilbert
Contemporary educational legislation is pushing a resurgence of historic educational program models to meet historic and contemporary barriers to student and school achievement. School districts, especially in urban centers are faced with i...

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A Literature Review: Creating and Maintaining Inclusion, Emily Goodson
This literature review examines the different parts that are needed in order to create and maintain an inclusive classroom. The success of students in an inclusive classroom, both special education and general education students, can be aff...

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Autism across the globe, Megan N. Haack
The purpose of this study was to investigate what autism is like across the globe. Autism is a developmental disorder that is associated with social difficulties, restricted and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of autism diagnoses had i...

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Targeting Post-Secondary Readiness Skills in Students With Disabilities for Successful Transition to Adult Living, Anne M. Helseth
This study reviews the literature pertaining to post-school outcomes for students with disabilities in light of the IDEA mandate. It includes research into which skills students need, which are most lacking, and how to transfer these skills...

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How do mindfulness-informed practices positively affect students with intellectual disabilities, Hilary Hinrichs
Mindfulness-informed interventions have gained greater popularity as interventions for schools for a variety of purposes. There has been an increase in research regarding the effect of these practices on students. Adolescent students with i...

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Reducing the use of restraint and seclusion in public education, Kimberly Jean Huls
The use of seclusions and restraints in public schools is a controversial topic in education that has gained much media attention in the past few decades. Most scholars, educators, and policy-makers are in agreement that it should be used a...

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The Impact of Outdoor Classrooms on Students, Minette Stalheim Johnson
The learning environment for students, which has been indoors for decades, has moved outdoors in many locales. As the stakeholders contemplate the use of outdoor space for learning, questions about its benefit(s) for students have been expl...

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How the Special Education Service Model Can Be Changed to Support Educator's Individual Strengths, Lisa A. Kermode
This thesis focuses on research related to the current state of the special education model and it includes qualitative and quantitative literature, as well as current challenges that exist in the industry today. It will specifically addres...

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​​Beyond Words: Fine Arts and Performance Art as Self-Expression for Developmentally Delayed Students, Elizabeth Maureen Ketz
This thesis explores the research behind the implementation of special education curriculum in dance and music. Music education and dance have been shown to be effective means of self-expression, a necessary component of child development. ...

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Types of anxiety diagnosed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, Molly Elizabeth Larson
This literature review unravels comorbidities that accompany Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), specifically the various types of anxiety observed in children and adolescents at school, in their home lives, and in the community. This review e...

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Analyzing the Social Benefits of Inclusion for Students in Special Education, Margo LeMahieu
Inclusive education has been on the rise in recent years. Now more than ever, students with and without disabilities are in the same classroom, learning together, and creating positive relationships with each other. Inclusive education has ...

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Autism, anxiety and the impact of therapeutic practices and evidence based strategies, Roberta L. Luby
This literature review examined research on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for managing anxiety symptoms. Studies consistently demons...

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Visual Supports and Autism, Donna L Macoskey
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors. Children on the Autism Spectrum thrive o...

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Implementing Positive Behavior Interventions in an Alternative Setting, Brooke L. Maday
Historically alternative settings are known for their punitive approaches to behaviors. In the early 2000s, alternative education and juvenile residential settings adopted and adapted a positive approach to behavior intervention called “Pos...

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The Benefits of Implementing Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies to Support Students in Special Education, Connor J. Malcolm
The number of children experiencing traumatic events is occurring at an alarming rate. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), more than two-thirds of children in the United States are going to or hav...

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The Benefits of Implementing Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies to Support Students in Special Education, Connor J. Malcolm
The number of children experiencing traumatic events is occurring at an alarming rate. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), more than two-thirds of children in the United States are going to or hav...

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Reading interventions for students with emotional behavioral disorders, Erin O. Maly
The focus of this literature review is to determine the efficacy of reading interventions for students with Emotional Behavioral Disorders with comorbid reading disabilities. Students with EBD frequently exhibit reading difficulties which p...

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Restorative Practice Outcomes on Exclusionary Behavior in Schools with Consideration of Educator and Student Perspective, Bree D Medin
The prevalent use of in-school and out-of-school suspensions persists despite evidence indicating behavior improvement and racial disparities in suspensions. Exclusionary discipline’s lasting negative consequences include poor academic achi...

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Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rachel E. Nardelli
This thesis studies interventions to support the mental health of students with autism spectrum disorder. According to Mazefsky (2019), more than 70% of youth with ASD have mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. According ...

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Mental Health and How it Affects Academic Performance in Special Education Students, Jenna L. Newberger
Mental health is an important topic about which many people have heard or learned about. It affects all people in various ways and can especially affect careers, schooling and social lives. Because of this, it is imperative to understand ho...

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The Importance of Classroom Management in Autism Spectrum Disorder Classrooms, Lindsay C. Nicklason
Children that are on the Autism Spectrum thrive on routine, visuals, and calm learning environments. When teaching in an Autism classroom, good classroom management is key to ensuring the students have all the tools they need to succeed. Th...

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The Effects of Social Story Interventions Used With Autistic Students, Sarah J Ogren
Social-emotional learning is an essential part of everyday learning for students in the classroom. Providing students with evidence-based social-emotional learning practices, such as Social Stories, increases student academics and behavior....

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The Effects of Mindfulness on Special Education Students in the General Education Classroom, Jessica Ostendorf
Can mindfulness interventions have a positive impact on both special education students and general education students in the classroom? How does mindfulness affect students’ behavior, academic achievement, and over all wellbeing? This lite...

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How Does a Four Day Work Week Affect Students' Achievement, Attendance, and Behavior, Joshua David Palmquist
This thesis focuses on a four-day school week and the benefits of this approach as it relates to student achievement, attendance and behavior. Over the past two decades, the popularity of a four-day school week has grown, most notably in ru...

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Gender Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Charlene Roach
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a developmental disorder with multiple variations of severity which are characterized by the difficulties in communication, social interactions, and restricted or repetitive patterns of beh...

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Collaborative teaching in the inclusive environment: A review of teaching models, benefits, barriers and preparation, Travis B. Rotegard
This literature review explains the definition of collaborative teaching (co-teaching) in the inclusive environment. It explores the co-teaching models, and the opinions of those models through the lens of professionals and students. This r...

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The Impact of the Inclusion of Movement and Exercise (Physical Learning) on Students in Educational Settings Receiving Special Education Services, Christopher P. Scanlon
There continues to be an increase in child and adolescent obesity. Youth receiving special education services are particularly at risk of being more inactive than their peers. There are numerous benefits to engaging in physical activity, no...

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Social Media Influence on Emotional and Behavioral Well-Being of High School Aged Students and Educator Intervention, Kayla M. Schroeder
Social media use plays a significant role in the lives of adolescents worldwide. Social media allows for adolescents to build connections, express themselves, seek information, and share or view content. Globally, adolescent mental health d...

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How Movement-Based and Sensory-Based Interventions Impact Emotional and Academic Success in Students with Disabilities (Autism/ADHD), John Skalitzky
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder are two of the most prevalent diagnoses in education today. Each diagnosis is individual to the student. However, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperacti...

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The Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder on Family, Christa R Skitsko
As the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continuously increases, more individuals and their families are impacted. Parents may be significantly affected by raising a child with an ASD diagnosis due to increased stress from the di...

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Implications of Teacher Burnout Related to Being a Special Education Provider, William M Sprouls
ABSTRACT The profession of special education instructor has evolved over the years. Special education teachers must often manage lesson plans that make accommodations for all intellectual and disability needs of students. Special education ...

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Improving the Perception, Assessment and Diagnosis of Females with Autism, Sydney Anne Steen
This literature review examines current biases in perception, assessment, and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for females. Males lead in the number of diagnoses of ASD, however, many of the assessments used to evaluate for ASD a...

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A Comparison of Two Approaches Used Within a Multi-tiered System of Supports That Enhance Students' Academic Achievement, Michaella Marie Steinfeldt
While students are receiving a high-quality education within the classroom, some students face difficulty performing adequately on assessments. These students typically receive intervention support to assist in increasing their skill defici...

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Effective Methods of Teaching Phonological Awareness and Phonics to Individuals With Reading Difficulty, Lydia C. Stevenson
Reading struggles have been a constant and pervasive issue for individuals. Reading struggles can be caused by various factors, such as poor reading instruction or, in some cases, a reading disability. Throughout the decades, there have bee...

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The Impact of School Climate on Student Achievement, Matthew C Straumann
This thesis reviews literature linking school climate and academic achievement. There are 30 sources that were reviewed and examined for this thesis. Three main points were found in this review. The link between school climate and bullying,...

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Social emotional learning and its needs and benefits for students with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and emotional behavioral disorder, Mariah Kay Uphoff
Social Emotional Learning (SEL), the lifetime process of developing skills that enable healthy relationships with others and with the self, has continued to grow in importance as educational programs emphasize more and more the value in edu...

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Effective Grading Practices Benefit Mainstreamed Students with Intellectual Disabilities, Jessie M. Wick
This study reviews the literature pertaining to grading practices and how grades can affect students with intellectual disabilities who are mainstreamed. It includes research into teacher grading practices, messages that grades reflect and ...

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The Impact of Teacher Attrition on Equitable Education for Students from Underserved Communities, Marian Alicia Williams
ABSTRACT The current teacher shortage has created a looming crisis in education in the United States that most frequently impacts students from underserved communities. Receiving an equitable education in our country should not be assumed b...

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Promoting Inclusion for Students Through Service-Learning, Charlene Marie Winter
The following literature review explores how service-learning can be used in an inclusive setting. How can schools use service-learning to promote diverse learning by including students of varying abilities? Studies have shown that service-...

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Constructive Influence of Music and Acoustics for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASF), William Jay Ziesmer
Music is one of the oldest building blocks in human civilization and throughout most of human history. It’s played a crucial role in the education system of many students throughout the United States and across the world. Music can provide ...

Theses/Dissertations from 2022

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Educator Support and Autonomy: Combating the Loss of Self-Efficacy Influencing Educators' Burnout, Chelsea L. Amell
Educator trauma-informed teaching practices in education systems are paving the way for schools to meet the needs of students who have experienced trauma and support students from experiencing secondary trauma. Furthermore, exploring the ef...

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Strategies to Teach Grit and Perseverance to Students with Special Needs Through the Growth Mindset, Melissa J. Anderson
Recently, there has been increased attention on the importance of non-cognitive skills in achieving academic success. Grit and The Growth Mindset are two of the characteristics. Research has established a positive correlation between Grit a...

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How Read Alouds Can Promote Higher-Level Thinking Skills in Students with Developmental Disabilities, Jennifer M. Bakken
This thesis consists of a literature review of research in the area of read alouds and how they can promote higher-thinking skills in students with developmental disabilities. Historically, read alouds have been used in early elementary sch...

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Classroom Management Strategies That Prolong On-Task Behaviors and Increase Success for Special Education Students with ADHD, Renee A. Barstow
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurological disorders among youth, leading to symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, and cognitive processing differences when compared to same-age typically developing peer...

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Impact of a Student’S Culture on Placement in Special Education, Anna Best
IDEA requires that schools address the disproportionate amount of minority students in Special Education. This literature review will summarize current research (2010 or later) on the evidence of disproportionality of minority students in S...

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Choosing Educational Strategies to Develop Social Studies Knowledge and Encourage Civic and Political Participation Among Students With Special Education Needs, Marc Louis Biermann
This research will address three questions: 1) To what extent do people with disabilities participate in the political process, 2) What do studies reveal about social studies education for students with disabilities, and 3) How can teachers...

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Disproportionality in Special Education: A Majority of Minority Students in Special Education, Sharon Hubbard Booth
Disproportionality in special education has been discussed, written about among scholars, authors, and has been debated in courts for over four decades. Minority groups that are most often referred to in this context are African Americans, ...

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Teachers' Union's Collective Bargaining Agreements and Their Impact on School Functions, Chad Jonas Borseth
Teachers' unions have a vital role in public education. The collective bargaining agreements negotiated between them and school districts are viewed by many as the de facto rule book for how a school is organized and how it shall operate. D...

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The Most Effective Transition Programming For Middle and High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Matthew Kjell Brunsvold
This thesis is a research project focusing on Transition Services for students with autism spectrum disabilities (ASD). Research was completed regarding evidence-based and effective transition practices. The findings were organized specific...

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How to Effectively Support Students with Dyscalculia, Robin M. Conley
Dyscalculia is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which makes it difficult for some individuals to automatically recognize numbers, estimate, perceive pictures, and order items and procedures correctly. It is similar to dyslexia, a common comor...

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Teaching Through a Polyvagal Lens: Using the Science of Safety to Co-Regulate in the Classroom, Anna Isolde Dahlen
According to Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, social responses to environments are mediated by the limbic system either by vagal input or vagal withdrawal (Mulkey & Du Plessis, 2019). The nervous system preconsciously perceives threats thr...

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Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Elopement in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hailey Noelle Ek
Elopement is a concerning behavior among autistic children. This thesis focused on evidence-based strategies and interventions used to treat elopement for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Response blocking occurs immediately after a...

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Teacher Shortages and Student Learning, Julia M. Elliott
Staffing shortages have been a growing area of concern for school districts, which has driven research over the years. This literature review examined the effects that staffing shortages have on student learning and student achievement. Add...

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How Does Trauma Informed Teaching Impact Student Learning?, Keith Enstad
This literature review will explore the impact of a trauma-informed approach on students' ability to learn. The reader will learn about key terms and definitions that are used throughout the literature. The following literature review explo...

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Inclusion Strategies and Perspectives in Special Education, Meghan Filipek
This work drives to discover evidence related to the reasoning for varying perspectives in special education- specifically focusing on negative perspectives and what the reasoning is, and supportive strategies to make the shift to more posi...

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Trauma-Informed Practices and Students with Disabilities in Elementary School, Kimberly Jane Haney
Trauma-informed practices have become more utilized within the education setting, which has led to the need for teachers to be educated in these practices. Educators need to know how trauma impacts their students and appropriate interventio...

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Successful Co-Teaching Models in the Secondary Setting, Alexandra L. Hermoza
Co-teaching is an educational practice that emerged in the early 1970’s with the creation of the IDEA act. In this inclusive teaching model, a special education and a general education teacher work together to share responsibilities of the ...

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Trauma: How the Student Teacher Relationship Impacts Student Success, Eujeana Starr Hinkle
High behavioral and academic expectations are exceptionally challenging for students who have experienced trauma. With increasing numbers of students who have experienced significant trauma, it is essential that teachers create trauma-respo...

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The Effects of Trauma on Special Education Students Specifically Within Certain Disability Categories Such As Selective Mutism, Autism, and Other Health Disabilities, David R. Johnston
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been shown to have life-long consequences. The trail of trauma often associated with negative childhood experiences can impact students as they go through the developmental stages of adolescents all...

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Factors Affecting the Academic Self-Concept of K-12 Students with Reading Disabilities, Jamie L. Kaihoi
The way students perceive themselves as learners is referred to as their academic self-concept (ASC). ASC is made up of the thoughts and feelings a student has about their experience in the classroom with learning tasks and research has sho...

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The Impact of Trauma on Learning and Behaviors in the Classroom and how a Trauma-Informed Classroom Helps, Susanne W. Karris
As trauma is becoming more prevalent among our students, it is essential that districts, schools, and staff understand its impacts in the classroom. The American Psychological Association (2021) estimates that more than ⅔ of children experi...

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The Impact of Poverty on High School Graduation Rates, Andrew Lanners
Kids living in poverty is an issue that can impact students in many ways, especially educationally. This thesis paper goes in depth on how poverty negatively impacts graduation rates. Students living in poverty can be negatively impacted so...

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The Influence of Restorative Practice on School Climate, Kay E. Lister
The impact of restorative practices on school climate is affirmed as the fostering of teacher-student relationship impacts connection, empathy, and social skills. Bullying decreased, self-advocacy increased, and school communities became bo...

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The Effects of Mindfulness Interventions to Enhance Educational Experiences and Sense of Well Being, Madeline Ruth Luoma
More recently than ever, teachers are witnessing an uptick in aggressive behaviors and emotional dysregulation and decreased academic engagement within their classroom walls. This can impact the learning environments of all students and hin...

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ASD Social Skills Development Using Immersive Virtual Environment Head-Mounted Display Interventions: A Review of Feasibility and Effectiveness, Kasey Lynn
This literature review determined the feasibility and effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Environment (IVE) virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD) interventions to develop social skills for children with ASD. Data summarized 11 research ...

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The Female Autism Experience: A Literature Review, Megan Elizabeth Maas
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by communication challenges, difficulties in socialization, and the occurrence of restrictive, repetitive behaviors. Current data in the United States indicates that 1 in 44 children are diagn...

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Teacher Burnout, Michelle L. Miller
Every year thousands of teachers across the world leave the classroom due to teacher burnout. Teacher burnout syndrome is the emotional and physical exhaustion originating from excessive job stress. Burnout originates from excessive workloa...

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Self-Advocacy and Postsecondary Program Achievement in Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Alyssa Nelson
This literature review examines studies that investigated and evaluated the relationship between self-advocacy and college program completion in postsecondary students with disabilities. Research was reviewed that used school-aged participa...

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The Benefits of Co-Teaching Students with Special Education Needs in the General Education Classroom, Stephen R. Nelson
This research project has focused on co-teaching students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Co-teaching is synonymous with cooperative teaching and has been increasing in school districts across the United States and int...

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The Impact of the Pandemic on Social Emotional Learning, Bryan Kilbourne Norman
The COVID-19 pandemic declared in March of 2020 disrupted the landscape of education and presented students and teachers with unforeseen impacts and obstacles. Notably, negative social and emotional issues arose as these changes drove stude...

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Facing the Teacher Shortage of America, Cheryl L. Novine
With the nationwide shortage of teachers and the decrease in those entering the field of teaching, school districts are suffering the impact and ultimately students will be impacted as well. In one way or another, those impacted by the qual...

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The Effects of Poverty on Students' Mental Well-Being, Esther P. Nyagwencha-Nyamweya
Poverty is a global problem that has impacted the mental well-being of students. Research shows that in the US, one out of five children under the age of 18 live in poverty. This literature review sought to determine the effects of poverty ...

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Best Practices for Elementary Reading Interventions, Kathleen E. Owen
Literacy skills are essential for success in school, work, and social life. In spite of years of research and reform, there is still an alarming rate of illiteracy in America today. This literature review, with application emphasis thesis, ...

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School-Based Health Centers and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students, Jena Parker
School-based health centers (SBHCs) improve health equity by increasing access to primary care and eliminating many barriers that underserved students often face. Convenience, confidentiality, and cost are just some of the benefits of this ...

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The Role of Inclusion in Creating a Positive Learning Experience and Outcomes for Students with Disabilities, Jacob Rath
This paper reviews the current research regarding the inclusion of students with special education services in the general education setting and what steps would be necessary to effectively implement more inclusive approaches in schools tod...

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Benefits, Barriers, and Supports in Sports and Activities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Stephanie O'Neal Sauer
This literature review examines the benefits of inclusion in sports and activities for those with intellectual disabilities, the barriers that exist that inhibit or prohibit the inclusion, and the supports that can be implemented to establi...

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Food Waste In Schools, Aimee Beth Schaefer Kueppers
This literature review examined the history of the National School Lunch Program from its inception to now. Ongoing questions and concerns related to food waste from school lunches have been explored by many researchers to understand its ef...

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How Can Animals Benefit Students with Special Needs in the PreK-12 Academic Setting?, Ruthie L. Schneider
Animals and children are often associated together because there is an innate connection between them. That connection is even more compelling concerning children with special needs. In the past few decades studies have increased involving ...

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Facilitating augmentative and alternative communication for non-verbal students with developmental disabilities, Michelle (Shelly) L Sieben
This literature review with application emphasis examines the history and impact of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for limited and non-verbal communicators with developmental disabilities. Research targets AAC implementati...

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Training and Supporting Paraprofessionals Who Work with Students with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Brian P. Solum
The roles and responsibilities of paraprofessionals in special education have increased over the years. Just as special education teachers see their caseloads, paperwork, and IEP responsibilities increase, the roles and responsibilities of ...

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Educator Burnout Prevention, Anna Sophia Stroebel
Burnout is a universal experience that impacts many educators. Within the first five years of teaching, 40% of educators will leave the profession (Mielke, 2019). Teachers of high needs students, including special education teachers, are at...

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Sensory Informed Teaching and the Impact on Student Learning, Rebecca Thavis
This thesis explores the impact that sensory stimuli have on students with sensory disorders and how this impacts their academic growth. It was hypothesized that sensory impact was a great hindrance for students that suffered from hyper or ...

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How Can Educators Better Inform Parents about the Special Education Process So That They are Empowered to Increase Their Role as Active Participants in Their Students’ Education?, Beth Ann Thibodeau
The benefits of family involvement in students’ education range from academic and behavioral growth to better attendance and social skills. Parent involvement in the educational process for students with disabilities is a legal right, yet b...

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Increasing the Quality and Quantity of Inclusive Practices in Grades K-12, Emily B. Wakefield
In the 21st century, many students with disabilities who might have previously received most of their education in a self-contained room or resource room are much more frequently in classrooms with typically developing peers. However, many ...

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Improving Transitional Support for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Amanda Hall Wicklund
Despite access to transition programming and planning, students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face reduced post-secondary school outcomes compared to students in other disability groups. Research explores factors that diminish or incr...

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How Do the Zero-Tolerance Policies Lead Students of Color to the School to Prison Pipeline, Deanna Minnie Williams
The school-to-prison pipeline in the United States is significantly affected by the zero-tolerance policies and mainly impacts students of color. The school to prison pipeline refers to students of color who are disproportionately placed in...

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Importance of Inclusion for Special Education Students in General Education Classrooms, Michelle L. Zidlicky
This literature review aims to inform inclusive education and why it is crucial for all students. Inclusion is based on students' academic and social-emotional success from learning with general education peers from both general education, ...

Theses/Dissertations from 2021

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The Effects Poverty Has on Students in Special education, Morgan Marie Auge
Poverty is an issue around the world that affects children and their academic achievement. In the United States 21% of children are raised in poverty. Children from poverty have a higher risk of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders i...

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Benefits of Physical Activity for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Trey Lewis Benhart
Adolescents with autism live a more sedentary lifestyle than those without an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Lack of exercise results in increased health risks, obesity, and decreased quality of life, exercise, motor skills, and peer i...