General Education Classrooms Research Articles

Examining the case for functional behavior assessment as an evidence-based practice for students with emotional and behavioral disorders in general education classrooms

ABSTRACTThis article is a review of functional behavior assessment studies in general education setting for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The studies were assessed in accordance with published standards for evidence-based practices. Overall, few studies met criteria for inclusion in this review and even fewer studies included all three parts of a complete FBA. Results indicate that there are few studies of FBA that specifically address students with behavior problems in general education. Although FBA may have future promise for the described setting and population, there currently is too little information available and lack of consistency in practice to yet claim it is an evidence-based practice.

Multimodal, Digital Composition for Children with Autism: Lessons on Process, Product, and Assessment

In this article, we examine the multimodal, digital autobiography of Cindy, an eight-year-old student with autism. We first describe the process we went through with Cindy to make her video in an inclusive, general education classroom setting. Then we examine the different modes through which Cindy made meaning in her video, focusing on the ways she used images, sound, titles, and video within the video. We then discuss the ways Cindy exploited certain affordances of multimodality, such as overcoming blocks to verbal communication by recording and editing voiceovers. Finally, we sketch some lessons teachers and researchers might learn from Cindy in terms of working with children with autism in general education language arts classes and in terms of working with all children from an assets-based approach.

Emirati General Education Pre-service Teachers’ Preparedness for Diversity in Inclusive Classrooms

<p>Today’s general education classrooms continue to become increasingly diverse. Educational<br />diversity and the high expectations for all learners have a profound impact on pre-service<br />teacher preparation. This paper explores Emirati general education pre-service teachers’<br />perception of preparedness to effectively instruct diverse learners including those with<br />exceptionalities. Individual and focus group interviews and student teaching internship<br />portfolios were used to examine Emirati pre-service teachers’ beliefs about their roles and<br />responsibilities in the diverse classrooms of today. Findings shed light on the impact of<br />teacher preparation on their perceived readiness, willingness, and abilities to meet the wide<br />range of learner needs through inclusive practices. Moreover, several areas presented<br />challenges to the pre-service teachers during their teaching practice. The study also identified<br />issues with current teacher preparation practices, program coordination or collaboration<br />efforts, and practicum experience necessary for pre-service teachers. Based on the findings,<br />recommendations for reassessing the content and structure of higher education teacher<br />preparation programs are discussed.</p>

The good behaviour game: Maintenance effects

This study examined the effects of the Good Behaviour Game on teacher and student behaviour in a general education classroom. Using a multiple baseline design across classes, baseline rates of disruptive behaviours were collected in each class and the class was divided into two teams. Each team then competed to obtain reinforcers for good behaviour. High baseline rates of disruptive behaviour were reduced significantly when the game was in first introduced. When it was introduced a second time the teachers were instructed to increase their positive comments. Surprisingly, there was little evidence of an increase in positive comments from the teachers. Findings are discussed in the context of the need for teacher training in behaviour analysis.

Communication Strategies Used by Physical Education Teachers and Coaches in Residential Schools for the Deaf in the U.S.

Summary The purpose of this study was to determine what communication and instructional techniques including coaching strategies were being implemented by coaches and physical education (PE) teachers working in residential or day schools for the deaf throughout the U. S. Further, to share this information with coaches and PE teachers in general education classrooms. Questionnaire was answered electronically from 32 coaches and PE teachers (38 % return rate). Topics in the survey included: a) types of sports/PE classes; b) mode of communication used; c) coaching and teaching techniques; d) coaching and teaching strategies; e) breakdowns in communication; f) advice to new coaches a teachers starting out in the field. Advice for new coaches, who had not previously worked with the individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH), six themes emerged: become fluent in ASL, remember to get the student’s attention before you start signing, use a lot of modelling, role playing, and videos (when needed), keep it simple, stress the fundamentals and insist on repetition until skills are mastered, and be flexible, each player will learn differently. Our results suggest that targeted and adapted communication strategies in PE and physical activities play important role for individuals who are D/HH.

Book Review: Beginning with Braille: Firsthand Experiences with a Balanced Approach to Literacy

Beginning with Braille: Firsthand Experiences with a Balanced Approach to Literacy, Second Edition, by Anna M. Swenson. New York: AFB Press, 2016, 458 pp. Paperback, $59.95; e-book (ePUB or Kindle), $41.95; online, $35.95; by online chapter, $10.95 each. Readers are in for a delightful time when they pick up the second edition of Beginning with Braille: Firsthand Experiences with a Balanced Approach to Literacy, by Anna M. Swenson. Since the first edition of this book was published in 1999, teachers of children with visual impairments have gravitated to it for help with beginning braille readers. This second edition is jammed with even more practical, creative teaching suggestions and is a welcome addition to the literature. Teachers of braille readers have very few role models to imitate, unlike those who teach children to read print. Such teachers are lucky to have Ms. Swenson, whose unique ability to combine educational theory with practice has enabled her to create this thorough, easy-to-read, state-of-the-art resource for teaching reading and writing braille. She cites up-to-date research from general education reading literature and weaves it into research on teaching braille reading. This blend of information, along with her experience as a teacher of reading and writing braille, is what makes this book so valuable. Although teachers of children with visual impairments are the obvious audience of the book, it will also be a beneficial resource for parents. Preservice teachers who read this text will have a ready reference for when they are assigned their first beginning braille reader. General education teachers may also, if they desire, find numerous sections of this book that will help them understand the needs of braille readers should they have such students in their classrooms (especially chapters 5, Promoting Early Literacy ...; 6, An Overview of Options for Literacy Instruction; and 7, Teaching the Beginning Reader ...; 15, Adapting Print Materials, and 16, Braille Literacy for Sighted Classmates). ESSENTIAL INFORMATION AND LATEST TRENDS There are three parts or sections of the book. Part 1, A Context for Instruction; Part 2, You and Your Reader; and Part 3, Beyond Instruction: in the Inclusion Classroom. Part 1 contains background information that is essential for teachers of children who will be learning to read and write using braille, including the latest trends and research in general literacy instruction as well as braille instruction. General guidelines such as how much time to spend with beginning readers, how to integrate literacy with the expanded core curriculum, and balancing general education and individualized instruction are presented along with general strategies for working in the general education classroom. Sidebar 3.4 in Chapter 3, Desk 'Apps' and Other Practical Tips, provides a great explanation on how to set up a desk area or work station for a Braille-reading child in a general education setting, and it is just one example of the practical guidance that is provided in this book. Collaboration is stressed in this section and suggestions for collaboration are incorporated throughout the book. Assessment and documentation are also highlighted in this short, but intensive, section, which includes working with Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams. Although the author suggests that teachers who want to get started with a braille reader might immediately move directly to Part 2, this reviewer feels that a teacher's time would be well spent perusing the first few chapters of Part 1, since they set the tone for the instructional strategies to follow. Certainly college professors using this book as a textbook (which I would highly recommend) would want their preservice teachers to read these early chapters, since they provide the why of what a person does when teaching reading and writing in braille to beginning braille readers and incorporates the development of IEPs with assessment and progress-monitoring. …

Relationship between motivational goal orientations, perceptions of general education classroom learning environment, and deep approaches to learning

Researchers have reported empirical evidence that the deep approaches to learning account for significant successful learning. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between students' motivational goal orientation, their perceptions of the general education classroom learning environment, and deep approaches to learning strategies. Participants (N = 494) were first- and second-year college students enrolled in any of the general education courses in higher education in Thailand. All samples were chosen using the convenience sampling technique. They completed a self-report questionnaire for measuring motivational goal orientation, perceptions of classroom learning environment, and the level of taking deep approaches to learning. To analyze the relationship between several independent variables and a dependent variable, multiple regression analyses were used and a positive influence was found of motivational goal orientation and perceptions of general education classroom learning environment on the level of taking deep approaches to learning. These results suggest promoting the deep approaches to learning by students through their individual personal attributes and classroom learning environment factors.

Factors that explain placement decisions for students with multiple disabilities: findings from national data

The Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study data set was utilised to examine the potential influences on placement decisions for students with multiple disabilities in the US. The sample consisted of 415 students. Specifically, the study investigated whether factors including students' prior special education experiences, parental involvement, parental expectations and educational risk factors explain the placement of students in classrooms. Results indicate significant relations between the explanatory variables and the hours spent daily in general education classrooms. However, only two variables, parents' education and receipt of early childhood special education services, were significantly associated with the dichotomised outcome of whether or not a child received any academic instruction in a general education classroom. Research limitations and implications for future research, policy and practice in the international context are discussed.

Effects of Tootling on Classwide and Individual Disruptive and Academically Engaged Behavior of Lower‐Elementary Students

The current study was designed to replicate and extend the literature on the effectiveness of a classroom intervention known as Tootling, a strategy that encourages and prompts students to report instances of their peers' positive behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of the Tootling intervention on decreasing classwide and individual target students' disruptive behavior as well as increasing classwide and individual target students' academic engagement in lower elementary, general education classrooms using a criterion number of tootles that could reasonably be attained daily, thus potentially allowing more immediate and frequent access to reinforcement. Participants included second and third graders and their teachers in three classrooms in two Southeastern elementary schools. An ABAB withdrawal design was used in the three classrooms, along with a multiple baseline element across two of the classrooms, to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results demonstrated decreases in disruptive behaviors and increases in academically engaged behaviors during intervention phases as compared to baseline and withdrawal phases in all classrooms. Effect sizes were moderate to large for all comparisons. Limitations of the present study, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Transformative Power of Communication: Democratizing Practices for the General Education Classroom

Abstract This article examines the common communication practices of deliberation, discussion, delivery, and debate, for their democratizing potential through their greater inclusion in all general education classrooms. It argues that these tools are underutilized outside of communication classrooms but offer numerous benefits to teachers and students alike who participate in the general education process. Increasing communication opportunities for students in more classes can contribute to greater self-reflection, more positive engagement with and openness to difference, and higher connectivity with class content. Likewise, increased communication by faculty with students about the values of general education can reduce the risk of students missing out on the democratizing values that stand to be gained through a general education curriculum. These findings have implications for the reenvisioning of how general education classes can be taught as well as how instructors might better appeal to student engagement with course material based on the transformative power of communication.

The Transformative Power of Communication: Democratizing Practices for the General Education Classroom

Abstract This article examines the common communication practices of deliberation, discussion, delivery, and debate, for their democratizing potential through their greater inclusion in all general education classrooms. It argues that these tools are underutilized outside of communication classrooms but offer numerous benefits to teachers and students alike who participate in the general education process. Increasing communication opportunities for students in more classes can contribute to greater self-reflection, more positive engagement with and openness to difference, and higher connectivity with class content. Likewise, increased communication by faculty with students about the values of general education can reduce the risk of students missing out on the democratizing values that stand to be gained through a general education curriculum. These findings have implications for the reenvisioning of how general education classes can be taught as well as how instructors might better appeal to student engagement with course material based on the transformative power of communication.

Engaging Your Growth Mindset for a Successful School Year

This manuscript will focus on the value of a growth mindset, the belief that our abilities are not static, rather, those abilities can be developed upon and improved while utilizing hard work, dedication, and effort. In this article, we describe the value of a growth mindset for speech-language pathologists in schools who support language and literacy skills of students with disabilities and strive to increase academic success in the general education classroom. Speech-language pathologists in a school-based setting can use the principles of growth mindset, putting in into practice for themselves and to foster growth mindset within their students. We present recommendations and examples of implementing a growth mindset during the school year. Additionally, resources are provided for further understanding of growth mindset and the research behind growth mindset principles.

Investigation and comparison of Turkish and American preschool teacher candidates’ attitudes towards inclusion of young children with disabilities

ABSTRACTInclusion of young children with disabilities into general education classrooms is a common practice that has been implemented for many years in developed countries around the world and many developing countries have been creating and implementing laws and regulations to support inclusive education in early years. Although extant literature includes a commonly agreed definition for inclusion, the implementation of inclusive practices varies across countries. A critical factor for successful implementation of inclusive practices is teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion of children with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to compare Turkish and American pre-service preschool teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion of young children with disabilities and their willingness to work with children with severe behavioural, physical, and cognitive disabilities. A total of 123 pre-service teachers participated in the study. The results showed that pre-service teachers across two countries had similar attitudes towards inclusion and their attitudes were positive. Additionally, both groups of pre-service teachers reported more favourable attitudes towards working with children with severe physical disabilities than those who have severe cognitive and behavioural disabilities. Implications for future research and practices are discussed.

Collaborative Strategic Reading for Students With Learning Disabilities in Upper Elementary Classrooms

Sixty fourth- and fifth-grade general education teachers were randomly assigned to teach Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR; Klingner, Vaughn, Boardman, & Swanson, 2012), a set of reading comprehension strategies, or to a business-as-usual comparison group. Results demonstrate that students with learning disabilities (LD) who received CSR instruction in their general education classrooms—approximately 2 times each week over a 14-week period—made significantly greater gains in reading comprehension than students with LD in comparison classrooms ( g = .52). Teachers in CSR classrooms were also more likely to provide feedback to students and to use collaborative grouping structures.

Differential effects of reinforcement on the self-monitoring of on-task behavior.

In the current study, the differential effects of reinforcement on a self-monitoring intervention were evaluated. Three students nominated by their teachers for having a marked difficultly maintaining on-task behaviors participated in the study. Using an alternating treatments single-case design to assess self-monitoring with and without reinforcement, students self-monitored their on-task behavior while being prompted by a vibrating timer at 1-min intervals for 20-min sessions. The investigators collected data regarding the students' percentage of intervals on-task and the accuracy of their recordings. Accuracy was measured by calculating the percent of agreement between the observer and student. For half of the self-monitoring sessions, students were provided reinforcement for matching at least 80% of their self-monitored ratings with those of the observer. Results indicated that self-monitoring alone was effective for 2 students in increasing their on-task behaviors in a general education classroom and self-monitoring with reinforcement was effective for all 3. Two students demonstrated an increase in on-task behavior when self-monitoring was paired with the opportunity to receive reinforcement compared to self-monitoring alone. Percentage of nonoverlapping data for self-monitoring without reinforcement ranged from 16.6% to 100%, and self-monitoring with reinforcement ranged from 83% to 100%. Additionally, the opportunity to receive reinforcement impacted students' accuracy in self-monitoring resulting in more accurate self-recording of on-task behavior. Including reinforcement as a component of a self-monitoring intervention package is an important consideration as it may impact the effectiveness of the intervention for students with significant difficulties maintaining attention to tasks.

Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Students with Learning Disabilities: Using Mixed Methods to Examine Effectiveness of Special Education Coursework

As the number of K-12 students with learning disabilities educated in general education classrooms grow, it is essential to examine the preparation and perceptions of pre-service teachers (N=15) who will educate students with learning disabilities. Within the context of an undergraduate learning disabilities method course, this study examined how pre-service teachers perceived students with learning disabilities as well as the effectiveness of particular course experiences, including fieldwork with students with learning disabilities, video vignettes, lesson planning, assigned reading, and center-based instruction, in shifting perceptions. Using a convergent, mixed method design, teacher educators at a university in the northeast used surveys, journals, and focus groups to examine pre-service teachers’ perceptions over time. Both quantitative and qualitative data indicate perceptions shifted positively in response to the methods course. Reflections and suggestions for other teacher educators are offered.

The Effects of Classroom Interventions on Off-Task and Disruptive Classroom Behavior in Children with Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review.

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often exhibit problem behavior in class, which teachers often struggle to manage due to a lack of knowledge and skills to use classroom management strategies. The aim of this meta-analytic review was to determine the effectiveness of several types of classroom interventions (antecedent-based, consequence-based, self-regulation, combined) that can be applied by teachers in order to decrease off-task and disruptive classroom behavior in children with symptoms of ADHD. A second aim was to identify potential moderators (classroom setting, type of measure, students’ age, gender, intelligence, and medication use). Finally, it was qualitatively explored whether the identified classroom interventions also directly or indirectly affected behavioral and academic outcomes of classmates. Separate meta-analyses were performed on standardized mean differences (SMDs) for 24 within-subjects design (WSD) and 76 single-subject design (SSD) studies. Results showed that classroom interventions reduce off-task and disruptive classroom behavior in children with symptoms of ADHD (WSDs: MSMD = 0.92; SSDs: MSMD = 3.08), with largest effects for consequence-based (WSDs: MSMD = 1.82) and self-regulation interventions (SSDs: MSMD = 3.61). Larger effects were obtained in general education classrooms than in other classroom settings. No reliable conclusions could be formulated about moderating effects of type of measure and students’ age, gender, intelligence, and medication use, mainly because of power problems. Finally, classroom interventions appeared to also benefit classmates’ behavioral and academic outcomes.

Development and Preliminary Technical Adequacy of the Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation Fidelity of Implementation Tool

U.S. public education systems are required to provide free appropriate public education to students with disabilities in least restrictive environments that are appropriate to meet their individual needs. The practice of educating students with disabilities in neighborhood schools in age-appropriate general education classrooms and other school settings to meet this requirement has come to be known as “inclusive education.” The long-standing interest in keeping students with disabilities in the same classrooms with their neighbors and peers has created a need for reform to establish equity in America’s schools. Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT) is a whole-system school reform model provided through a national technical assistance center that addresses core features of inclusive education support for elementary and middle schools, particularly those that are chronically low performing and those serving students with the most extensive needs. We describe the development and preliminary technical adequacy of SWIFT Fidelity of Implementation Tool (SWIFT-FIT) as a means to document the extent to which schools are implementing inclusive education. Findings provide preliminary support for trained assessors using SWIFT-FIT as a valid and reliable instrument to produce evidence that describes the extent to which schools install, implement, and sustain these evidence-based practices. Researchers and other school personnel can use these data to evaluate the impact of implementation on progress as well as important student and other outcomes.

Peer Sameness and Peer Diversity: The Influence of Breadth and Depth of Classmates with High Academic Needs in Kindergarten

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Relying on a newly released national data set of kindergarten students from the 2010–2011 school year (Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011), the findings suggest that having a greater percentage of same-needs classmates positively boosts both achievement and socioemotional outcomes among kindergartners. However, the overall degree of diversity in the classroom has no effect (either negative or positive) on these same outcomes. Practice or Policy: Alongside changes in schooling integration policies and grade promotion practices, the general education classroom is becoming increasingly diverse academically. It is notable that general education classrooms have been experiencing increases in the presence of children with disabilities and English language learners in addition to increases in the number of retained students. Prior empirical research typically isolated how 1 of these groups with high academic needs might have influenced the outcomes of other students in that same classroom. Rather than focusing on the influence of 1 student group, however, this study adopts a more holistic perspective by examining how the degree of diversity of high-needs classmates in a classroom might be linked to child outcomes.

School of Ants goes to college: integrating citizen science into the general education classroom increases engagement with science

Citizen science has proven useful in advancing scientific research, but participant learning outcomes are not often assessed. This case study describes the implementation and tailoring of an in-depth assessment of the educational impact of two citizen science projects in an undergraduate, general education course. Mixed-methods assessment of citizen science within a college classroom demonstrates that public participation in scientific research can positively alter attitudes towards science. The timing and type of assessments yielded significantly different results and qualitative assessment provided depth and context. However, disentangling the impact of the course from participation in the projects is the biggest challenge.