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Theses/Dissertations from 2022

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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...

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Administrative Support for Effective Collaboration Between Special and General Education Teachers, Catherine Benson
Professional educators at all levels of education in the United States are responsible for assisting students in achieving academic success and preparing for employment. Teachers today are tasked with meeting the academic needs of both gene...

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Opportunities for and Benefits of Career and Technical Education for High School Students With Disabilities, Dan K. Burton
Students with disabilities struggle more than students without disabilities to graduate high school as well as finding a good paying job after high school. With the implementation of the IDEA act of 1975, there have been many different theo...

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Developing Collective Teacher Efficacy to Help Secondary Teachers Feel Confident in Their Positions, Katherine E. Cabieses
This study evaluates the resources available to develop the efficacy and the collective teacher efficacy of Secondary School Teachers in handling students’ misbehavior, resulting in effective teachers satisfied with their teaching positions...

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Avoiding the Services Cliff: An Extensive Look at Effective Strategies to Prepare Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders (asd) for Life and Work, Danielle Marie Carter
A fundamental objective of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is to safeguard that all students with disabilities have available to them a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) that affirms special education and related services d...

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The Effect of Classroom Physical Activity Breaks on Students' Academic Performance and Executive Functioning Skills, Barb J. Diemer
Classroom-based Physical Activity (PA) has gained attention among teachers and schools due to the potential to enhance learning while also providing the opportunity for children to increase their physical activity level. Children are not me...

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Impacts of Social and Emotional Learning Interventions in Special Education Students, Cassandra R. Drusch
Social and emotional learning is educational programming that can help the student learn to recognize emotions, set goals, perspectively think, maintain positive relationships, make decisions and learn conflict resolution (McCormick, 2019)....

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Students in Special Education and Extracurricular Activities, Marissa A. Eastling
Research regarding the effects of extracurricular activities on youth is abundant and clear: extracurricular activities benefit students. Some even suggest the benefits go far beyond the high school experience and can have a profound and po...

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Impacts and Strategies in Positive Student-teacher Relationships, Cassandra C. Eckart
Researchers, educational professionals, and classroom teachers consistently seek out ways to engage students in the classroom. For some students, engagement comes naturally. They connect easily with people and are by nature, curious and act...

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Effects of social media on adolescents, Jeffrey Scott Erickson
Social media has a strong influence on adolescents. The effects of social media use can be both positive and negative for adolescents. Social media makes adolescents feel more connected to their friends, family, and interests. On the other ...

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Special Education Teachers and Burnout: the Factors That Contribute to it and Effective Strategies That Combat it, Sydni M. Fancher
This thesis will explore the reasons behind teacher burnout in special education. The field of special education has increased dramatically throughout the years. As more research is being done to determine the various disabilities out there...

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Restorative Justice in Schools - The Impact and Implementation, Chad Edward Felty
Are restorative practices producing fewer negative outcomes for students and improving relationships within schools? The following literature review and application looked at the effectiveness of restorative practices in schools. The eviden...

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Self-Determination Skills in Special Education Students: A Review of the Literature, Jessica L. Ferraro
Self-determination is an important skill for all students, but a necessity that students identified as having a disability and receiving special education skills develop throughout their lifespan and prior to leaving the comforts of high sc...

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Impact of Relative Age on Need for Special Education Services, Leonie Giles
This thesis consists of a literature review of research on a potential correlation between a student's birthdate, age upon entry into kindergarten, and the potential need for special education services while in elementary school. Results we...

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Implementing The Autonomy-Supportive Teaching Model with Elementary Students, Rebecca I. Hons
Task avoidance and keeping students motivated in the classroom are common struggles that elementary school teachers face in their career. This literature review explores task aversiveness in elementary students and how they are motivated to...

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The Educational Impact That Social Media Has on School Age Children's Mental Health and Educational Experiences, Kasondra Janc
Studies have shown that school involvement and the policies that they have created can impact adolescents’ mental health. Social media is one of the most widely used online platforms and a reason why school-aged children want cell-phones, t...

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Promoting Post School Success for Students in Special Education, Jenna Juliann Joswiak
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was created to meet the needs of students with disabilities and prepare them for life after school, including employment, further education, and independent living. Even after transitio...

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Response to Intervention in Child Find, Eucabeth Kimaiga
This thesis highlights RTI and child-find under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) federal law, revised in the special edition of 2011. In 2011, the child find mandate was the focus of the IDEA regarding the ...

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The Correlation Between Communication and Behavior, Stephanie AM Klein
A communication disorder impacts the ability to express or understand language. The American Speech Language Hearing Association estimates that 5-10% of people in the United States have a speech or language disorder. A communication disorde...

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Performing Along the Spectrum: a Study in the Application of Theatrical Approaches to Develop and Enhance Social Skills for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Kimberly Lynn Lambert
Individuals on the autism spectrum are faced with many unique challenges in navigating their respective worlds. One of the areas in which individuals across every sector of this spectrum may feel a significant impact is in the area of socia...

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Sensory Processing Disorder: An Introduction For Classroom Teachers, Kathryn Nicole Lavin
Elementary students may be impacted by Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) resulting in poor performance, anxiety, or behavioral challenges. This literature review defines sensory processing disorder and provides information about ways teache...

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Understanding the Needs of Children in Poverty to Improve Academic Achievement: A Literature Review, Christy Michele Lothrop
Poverty affects one in five children in the U.S., where 50% of public schools identify as mid-high or high-poverty schools. Decades of research confirms a significant and constant economic academic achievement gap. This literature review so...

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The Impact of Visual Schedules for Students With Disabilities: A Literature Review, Kristine L. McDonald
The purpose of this empirical research literature with application emphasis was conducted so I could better understand the effects of visual schedules and video modeling. Visual schedules and video modeling showed an increase of independenc...

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The Impact of Mindfulness Practice on Adolescents With Special Needs and Mental Health Diagnosis, Rebecca Jean McQuiston
Students with mental health diagnosis, trauma or special education labels such as emotional behavioral disorder or learning disabilities often show signs of distress, and/or dysregulation in the classroom. They are referred to providers and...

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Girls With Autism: Comparative Differences in Gender, Diagnosis, and Social Camouflaging a Master’s Thesis, Sarah Lynn Nevin
Autism diagnostic differences exist based on gender with a current diagnostic ratio of males to females at 4:1. Beyond diagnosis, complex differences persist between genders. Research indicates that females with autism display social, commu...

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Student Anxiety and Practical Strategies for the School Setting: A Literature Review, Cassie M. Ott
Since 2010, anxiety levels have risen worldwide. Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to anxiety as they experience varied life challenges. Considering anxiety disorders most common in youth (generalized anxiety disorder (G...

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Promoting Self-Management Skills Among Students with Disabilities Within the General Education Classroom, Elisabeth A. Pagel
The purpose of this action research project was to determine how educators can promote self-management skills among students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Previous studies were used to summarize the current state of ...

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Reading Interventions for Learners in Correctional Institutions, Lindsey Rose Proell
The correctional education classroom is typically a setting with a lot of challenges not usually seen in typical K-12 schools. The need for literacy education in the correctional setting is at an all-time high. Students are coming into corr...

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Students With Special Needs and Their Ability to Self-monitor Goals, Erin L. Schmitz
Self-monitoring behavior is one way students can be involved in their learning. Research shows that desired behaviors increase, and academic performance improves, when students monitor their behavior during class. This action research proje...

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The Benefits of Response to Intervention (RTI) Versus the Signigicant Disrepancy Model in Identifying Students Through Child Find With Specific Learning Disabilities, Stephanie C. Shun
Special Education practices continue to evolve and improve over time. Disability law and legislation work to support improved practices with amendments to Individuals Disability Education Improvement Act, IDEA and higher court rulings that ...

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How to Best Help Secondary Students Who Struggle With Foundational Reading Skills and Motivation, Hannah Maria Sislo
The focus of this literature review is to explore what secondary teachers can do to better support their students who struggle with reading by examining what works in elementary educational settings and with students who are English learner...

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The Unique Experience of Female Autism, Deborah J. Solum
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological, developmental disorder characterized by rigid, repetitive behaviors and impaired social communication skills. While ASD diagnoses have increased dramatically in recent years, identified male...

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How to Best Prepare Students With Autism for Post-secondary Schooling or Employment, Paul G. Stariha
Students with autism are leaving high school not prepared sufficiently to enter post-secondary education or employment. What are the best educational practices to change this? To answer this question, this thesis writer reviewed several art...

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Secondary Student Adult Transitions: Challenges, Barriers, and Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emily Carol Sutterer
While relatively little is known about the experience of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), disparity among approaches to transition planning indicates inadequate best practice. By evaluating the current state of empirical research...

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Effective Teacher Evaluation Systems to Increase the Professional Growth of Teachers, Teri L. Townsend
This paper is a review of literature related to teacher evaluation systems and frameworks used to improve the instructional practices and other critical skills of educators in the United States. These evaluation systems aim to professionall...

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The Effects of Inclusive Classrooms on Students With Disabilities and Effective Inclusive Classroom Strategies, Erin Rose Welter
The purpose of this literature review was to research the effectiveness of inclusive classroom strategies pertaining to academic achievement and social/behavioral achievement in students with disabilities along with which inclusive classroo...

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The Benefits of Training All School Staff When Working With Students Who Have Experienced Trauma, Kari F. Wines
The number of students that have been affected by trauma is increasing. Trauma impacts students’ developing brains, including concentration, memory, behavior, self-regulating ability, perception and cognitive deficits, and impaired academic...

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The Impact of Socioeconomic Status and Poverty on African American Students With Special Needs, Royce T. Winford
Exploring the impact of socioeconomic status and poverty on African American students with special needs has shown that poverty is a global issue that has an impact on children's academic ability. In the United States, about one-quarter of ...

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Using Arts to Improve Academic Outcomes for Students With Disabilities, Melissa Jean Briggs Wood
Theatre is often used as a tool in the classroom to target specific skills in language arts classes. More and more, it is being woven into curriculums outside of the language arts classroom to explore multi-disciplinary teaching. Theatre ar...

Theses/Dissertations from 2020

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Only you can prevent burnout?: Factors influencing job satisfaction among special education teachers, Alicia Michelle Alexander
Special education teacher (SET) burnout is a complex problem impacting teacher health, student outcomes, and job satisfaction. This review examined burnout literature with special education teachers as participants in US studies between 197...

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Adding Movement to Enhance Learning in Special Education, Jennifer S. Ammermann
Academic achievements, standardized tests, and school accountability have resulted in children spending more time with seatwork and less time in recess and physical education. Recent brain research shows that cognitive skills develop with m...

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Perspectives on the Quality of the Student-Teacher Relationship between Students with a Disability and Typically Developing Students and Developmental Outcomes, Hannah Rae Bast
Little research has compared the student-teacher relationship between students with a disability and students with typical development. More specifically, the quality of the relationship between the student and the teacher. Measuring the am...

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Identifying the Best Practices for the Twice Exceptional Learner, Edison Boelter
The objective of this thesis is to find the best research-based practices available for the twice exceptional learner. Twice exceptional learners are a growing percentage of the population in the academic community, and yet educators are gr...

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How Does Work-Based Learning Help Prepare Students For Life After High School, Frank A. Cacich
Work based learning is part of career and technical education that can help students to be better prepared for life after highschool. There are many different types of programs that make up a work based learning programming. These programs ...

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Effective Social Emotional Lessons and Strategies for Center Based Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities, Kevin M. Collings
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a popular phrase in all aspects of the educational world of the last couple decades. Research shows the clear need for teaching students the skills they need to function socially and emotionally. T...

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Teacher Burnout: Measuring, Contributing Factors, and Prevention, Lisa A. Dexter
One of the most stressful careers a person can chose to have is teaching. (Johnson et al., 2005; Travers, 2001). Teaching demands are high, and the emotional labor of teaching can leave teachers feeling emotionally exhausted, withdrawn, and...

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Screen Time: Impacts on Physical Health, Sleep, and Psychological Health and Well-being, Shereen A. Eldeeb
With the rise of technology there has been an increase in screen technologies that are prevalent in everyday life. Technology and screens are used in employment, education, and leisure settings. The average person in the United States spend...

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A Research-based Social Skills Curriculum for Middle School Students With Special Needs, Lynn Bruvold Ellis
Social skills instruction is an essential part of special education programming. There are many different approaches to social skills instruction, and there are studies that show the benefits to these different approaches. The research pres...

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Autism and Environmental Influences, Jodi Ford
Autism is a neurobiological spectrum disorder manifesting with challenges in socialization, communication, and repetitive behaviors. The Center of Disease Control estimates that 1:54 children have autism. Autism includes extremely gifted in...

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Restorative Practices in Schools – the Benefits and Challenges, Joel John Fredricks
Are restorative practices within schools an effective method for increasing student success? This literature review looks at the evidence available of restorative practices in reducing suspensions and expulsions, improving relationships, de...

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Understanding Gender Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder to Better Identify Females With ASD, Betsy M. Galles
Males are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to females at a ratio of 4:1. When isolating for higher intellectual ability, the ratio increases to 10:1. Gender differences exist in restricted, repetitive behaviors and soc...

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Using Peer-Mediation to Provide Inclusion for Students with Moderate to Severe Autism Spectrum Disorders, Shauna Marie Geffre
Students identified with low-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), in center-based programs, have minimal opportunities for inclusion in the general education setting and are often emotionally and socially excluded from their peers. ...

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Dietary Alternatives in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Behavioral Symptoms and School Performance, Samantha R. Goers
Dietary alternatives for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are less commonly known and discussed, leaving some children untreated and vulnerable to negative consequences. However, numerous studies have examine...

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Adapting School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to Meet the Needs of Students with Significant Disabilities, Amy Hazel Hansen
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a multi-tiered system of support for addressing discipline problems in schools through proactive and positive discipline procedures, guided by evidenced-based behavioral interventions a...

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Do We Need More Male Teachers for an Increasing Population of Male Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders?, Bjorn Hanson
In the world of education there is a growing population of male students who struggle with emotional/behavioral disorders. There is also a decreasing population of male teachers in schools, and an even lower percentage of teachers who work ...

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Music Education Benefits for Students with Disabilities, Tammy K. Hanson
Music is so many things! Music is enjoyable, fun, happy, calming, and unpredictable. Music is also sad, lonely, busy, unsettling, and disturbing. Students of any age can learn so much from music, such as: learning an instrument; playing i...

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Bias and the Subsequent Implications on ADHD Diagnosis in School Aged Children, Ruth L. Hein
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often goes undiagnosed in girls and women. This phenomenon is due most prominently to the finding that girls and women tend to present primarily internalized symptoms of ADHD. Greater awarenes...

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The Unique Characteristics of Trauma in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jana Laine Jonasen
Research has shown characteristics of individuals with ASD that have been exposed to trauma are difficult to determine. With more of trauma at an early age and the overshadowing of characteristics between trauma and ASD it will be difficult...

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the Correlation of Student Success in School, Amy S. Kummrow
Student success is the goal for educators around the world. Implementing Choice Theory and Restitution can greatly increase a student’s chances of academic success. William Glasser's Choice Theory talks about the five basic needs all humans...

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Effective and Ineffective Interventions for Students With Dyslexia, Jessica M. Lahti
The aim of this thesis is to explore effective and ineffective interventions for students with dyslexia in the areas of teacher knowledge, text readability, computers and technology, and academic interventions. The main findings show that s...

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The Impact of School Start Times on Adolescent Sleep Duration and Academic Performance, Allison Leaf
In terms of sleep, adolescence is a tumultuous time. Biologically, adolescents are more inclined to have a later circadian rhythm and an evening chronotype, causing them to fall asleep later in the night and wake up later in the morning com...

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How Teacher-student Rapport Impacts Student Academics and Achievement, Ashley D. Mellgren
In the last 50 years of education, student behaviors have become an increasingly important topic. Behaviors are an outward expression of how students feel about themselves, their classroom, or their teachers. Teachers have power in how they...

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Facilitating Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), Emily A. Moulton
This literature review explored Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) with students who are not effective verbal communicators. AAC provides a means of communication for individuals who have disorders that impact communication. A...

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The Connection Between Mental Health and the Positive Effects of Social-Emotional Learning, Ryan Michael Nesvold
Students across America are struggling with mental health issues and their ability to maintain adequate performance in school. Teachers pass them in the hall without ever noticing that they might be suffering. They wear a smile on their fac...

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The Effects of Inclusion for Teachers, Special Education, and General Education Students in General Education Classrooms, Rachel O'Neill
With the current special education policies in place in the United States, solutions must be found in order to equitably meet the academic, social and emotional needs for all types of students found in a classroom. One of the most practiced...

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The Effects of Mindfulness on Students Academic Performance and Behaviors, Kasandra J. Parrish
This paper examines the effectiveness of mindfulness on students’ academic performance and their behaviors, both emotionally and physically. This includes students with and without disabilities. Students are facing increased personal and sc...

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Facilitating Friendships Between Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Neuro-Typical Peers Utilizing Peer Mediated Interventions, Spring M. Peden
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States, currently affects 1 in 54 children. As students with ASD spend more time mainstreamed with their neuro-typical peers, there is an increased nee...

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Independent Living Skills Curriculum- A Literature Review with Application Emphasis, Courtney E. Peterson
This literature review with application thesis examines functional daily living and adaptive behavior skills teaching methods utilizing a community-based instructional approach for students with disabilities. The literature review data and ...

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Underrepresentation of Minority Students in Special Education, Marvin Dale Peterson III
Disproportionality in special education representation has been a commonly used focus of study for many years. The most frequently researched topic is the overrepresentation of black and brown, usually male, students in Emotional, Behaviora...

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Socioeconomic Status and Academic Achievement, Tricia M. Richmond
The number of school-aged children living below the poverty line continues to increase in the United States. This group of children are at a serious disadvantage in school and with their development. Children that grow up in a family with a...

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Classroom Activities That Motivate Teens to Spend Leisure Time Reading, Laura A. Scott
This thesis examines practices which foster an appreciation of reading in teens with disabilities. Research shows that when given choice and opportunity, young people are more inclined to read for pleasure. The purpose of this thesis is to ...

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Comprehensive Literacy Instruction: a Review and Development of Literacy Curriculum Serving Individuals With Signifcant Disabilities Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Sydne Victorine Springman
This literature review and application investigates instructional approaches used to teach literacy to students with significant disabilities who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). It reviews the current instructional str...

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Research-Based Methods that Decrease and Prevent Childhood Obesity in the School Environment, Erica Anne Stark
Childhood obesity is a growing trend that shows no signs of slowing. Society has turned to the schools to provide programming to help alleviate this growing problem without considering the constraints schools face when implementing interven...

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A Literature Review Supporting Trauma-informed Decision Making in Schools, Cassandra M. Theisen
A growing awareness shows that repeated exposure to childhood trauma is widespread and affects children’s emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The damage can be life-long. It is necessary for school systems to advocate for studen...

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A Review of the Impact of School Disciplinary Practices on Student Outcomes, Stephanie Thun
The literature review sought to determine the impact of traditional discipline and alternative behavioral interventions on student outcomes. The research showed that certain student populations including Blacks, males, students qualifying f...

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A Review of Social Skills Intervention For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Angela M. Walters
According the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disability that impacts on in 54 children in the United States (CDC, 2020b). Children with ASD exhibit delays in communication, behaviors, and soci...

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Disproportionality In Special Education: The Factors of Overrepresentation, Lack of Inclusion and It's Impact on Student Success, Paige E. Webb
The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the guiding force behind placement for special education students. It provides students with disabilities access to the general education classroom and the ability to learn. The Individuals with Di...

Theses/Dissertations from 2019

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An Abundance of Boys: Addressing the Factors that Cause Gender Disproportionality in Special Education, Andrew James Almendinger
The gender distribution in special education is skewed heavily toward boys, who outnumber girls at an overall rate of 2 to 1. The decision to place a student in special education programming has severe implications, whether it be positive o...

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The Influence of Music on the Autistic Brain, Ananda Arvig
Scientific and qualitative research studies explain how different activities can affect and impact the brain. Researchers look at brain and wave activity to help determine ways music can be used as a therapeutic and beneficial teaching tech...

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The Effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on the Family, Kimberly M. Becker
ADHD affects not only the individual diagnosed with the disorder, but the individual’s family and surrounding community. The focus of this research was to gain an understanding of the way ADHD affects the individual and the various family m...

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Social Skills Interventions for Secondary Students With Asd, Pauli Brandt
Social skills instruction (SSI) is an area of high need for students with Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The SSI of secondary-aged ASD students is unique given that the law mandates transition (after high school) goals in the Individualize...

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Lack of African American Teachers in Schools and What Can Be Done to Encourage and Retain Those Teachers, Marc Brown
This researcher has been a teacher in special education for almost four years and this is the first year working as a Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) teacher. However, most of the work has been as an Emotional Behavioral Disability (EB...