The Effectiveness of Behavior-Focused Alternative Middle Schools for Students With Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Kemal Afacan ◽  
Kimber L. Wilkerson
Keyword(s):  
Middle Schools ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Alternative Schools ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Standardized Assessments ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Behavior Difficulties ◽  
Cohort Design ◽  
Attending Behavior

Behavior-focused alternative schools serve students who are identified by school personnel as exhibiting behavior difficulties, often coupled with low academic achievement. Students can be referred to behavior-focused alternative schools as an alternative to expulsion. In this study, we examined the demographic characteristics of students who attended behavior-focused alternative middle schools, as well as the effectiveness of these schools on two outcomes: (a) standardized state reading assessment scores and (b) number of suspensions received. Using a retrospective cohort design study, we investigated whether students attending behavior-focused alternative middle schools experienced significantly different reading and suspension outcomes compared with a matched sample of students attending traditional middle schools. The majority of students in behavior-focused alternative middle schools were male, Black, and receiving special education services. Results showed that students attending behavior-focused alternative middle schools performed significantly lower on standardized assessments of reading in the eighth grade. No significant differences were noted for the number of suspensions experienced.

Supporting the needs of students with undiagnosed disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Silverman Schechter
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Public University ◽  
School Experience ◽  
Recent Survey ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Underserved Students ◽  
Postsecondary Success

Students with disabilities, especially those with non-apparent conditions, are entering universities in growing numbers. Yet more and more students are going off to college unprepared to manage their disabilities, in part because their high schools are overburdened, understaffed, and uninformed to identify and support them. A recent survey of students receiving disability supports at one public university revealed that the majority of these undergraduates with disabilities did not receive special education services in high school, instead waiting until college to seek help. Respondents reflected on what could have been improved about their high school experience, and they offered advice to school practitioners as to how to support these underserved students for postsecondary success.

Relationship of Reading Achievement of Students with Disabilities and Least Restrictive Environment Practices

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 106-114
Author(s):  
Janet L Applin ◽  
Rhonda Simpson ◽  
Nedra Atwell
Keyword(s):  
Reading Achievement ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Adequate Yearly Progress ◽  
Least Restrictive Environment ◽  
Special Education Students ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
School Day ◽  
Restrictive Environment ◽  
Relationship Of

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Kentucky least restrictive environment (LRE) practices and the state’s assessment annual measureable objectives (AMO) in reading for students with disabilities. This research was designed to determine whether districts achieved AMO targets for reading within LRE, and whether a relationship exists between special education students’ placement and assessment scores attained for the disability subpopulation in the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Reports. Results from this study indicated that one district achieved the scale score for reading achievement. Nine districts achieved reading AMO targets due to safe harbor, while nine districts achieved reading AMO due to confidence interval for students with disabilities. Also, the results indicated a higher correlation for students who received services in a separate location for less than 20% of the school day.

Special Education Is Associated With Reduced Odds of School Discipline Among Students With Disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 0013189X2098258
Author(s):  
Sarah Hurwitz ◽  
Emma D. Cohen ◽  
Brea L. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Disruptive Behavior ◽  
School Discipline ◽  
Urban School District ◽  
Behavioral Characteristics ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Special Education Referral ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Decomposition Models

Students with disabilities are disciplined at disproportionately high rates, despite federal laws designed to ensure disciplinary protection. We examine the association between disability and discipline using a novel approach, investigating whether behavior problems trigger special education referral, and if disciplinary outcomes change once students are enrolled. Using longitudinal data from an urban school district, we estimate lagged variance decomposition models that disaggregate the outcomes of special education services from the behavioral characteristics that prompt disciplinary responses. We find that (1) ongoing disruptive behavior leads to placement in special education and (2) receiving special education is associated with a reduced likelihood of punishment. Earlier identification is vital in order to treat, rather than punish, disruptive behavior.

Professional Preparedness and Psychosocial Beliefs as Predictors of Quality Physical Education and Recreation Services to Students with Disabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Kavanaugh ◽  
Joe Tomaka ◽  
Ernesto Moralez
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Adapted Physical Education ◽  
Quality Service ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Recreation Services ◽  
Professional Disciplines ◽  
And Training

The purpose of this study was to examine how professional preparedness and psychosocial beliefs affected behavioral intentions and quality service behaviors in providing physical education (PE) and recreation services to students with disabilities (SWD). Participants of an online survey included New Mexico adapted physical education (APE) teachers (N=42) and recreational therapists (RT; N=13) and a sample of PE teachers (N=63). Analyses revealed significant differences between PE teachers and personnel in specialty professional disciplines. APE and RT personnel reported greater positive attitudes, higher self-efficacy, greater behavioral intention, and more engagement in quality service behaviors than PE teachers. The results have implications for the selection and training of school personnel hired to provide PE and recreation services to SWD.

Helping Teachers Understand and Mitigate Trauma in Their Classrooms

2021 ◽  
pp. 004005992110618
Author(s):  
Lynn S. Burdick ◽  
Catherine Corr
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Elementary School ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Emotional Disturbance ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Classroom Environments ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Trauma Informed

Nine-year old Eliza is a student at Meadows Elementary School where she receives special education services for her diagnosis of Emotional Disturbance. Her teachers are working together to try to bring Eliza back into the classroom after weeks of time spent in the office with no contact with her peers. Mr. Jimenez and Ms. Landon are collaborating to incorporate trauma-informed practices into their classrooms in an attempt to address the absence of secure attachments and feelings of safety in Eliza’s life, as well as her inability to control her emotional responses. Creating a trauma-informed classroom benefits everyone but especially students with disabilities who have experienced trauma. In this paper we discuss the need for trauma-informed practices and strategies for making classroom environments more trauma-informed.

It Takes a Well-Organized Village

2019 ◽  
pp. 25-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan G. Porter
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
General Education ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Student Diversity ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Tiered System ◽  
Diversity Curriculum

Response to intervention (RTI) and multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) are educational initiatives designed to increase the success of all students in general education and reduce the number of students referred for special education services. RTI and MTSS have resulted in improved outcomes for students. Successful implementation of RTI and MTSS relies upon collaboration between teachers and other school personnel. Lack of collaboration and consistency between members of MTSS teams can compromise the fidelity of the interventions, which can lead to poor student outcomes. Secondary RTI and MTSS models are difficult to implement due to several factors, including student diversity, curriculum complexity, and high student-staff ratios. This chapter investigates recent research on the implementation of RTI and MTSS models in secondary schools and focuses on the interdisciplinary efforts required to implement these models with fidelity and with student success.

It Takes a Well-Organized Village

2022 ◽  
pp. 339-368
Author(s):  
Susan G. Porter
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
General Education ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Student Diversity ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Tiered System ◽  
Diversity Curriculum

Response to intervention (RTI) and multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) are educational initiatives designed to increase the success of all students in general education and reduce the number of students referred for special education services. RTI and MTSS have resulted in improved outcomes for students. Successful implementation of RTI and MTSS relies upon collaboration between teachers and other school personnel. Lack of collaboration and consistency between members of MTSS teams can compromise the fidelity of the interventions, which can lead to poor student outcomes. Secondary RTI and MTSS models are difficult to implement due to several factors, including student diversity, curriculum complexity, and high student-staff ratios. This chapter investigates recent research on the implementation of RTI and MTSS models in secondary schools and focuses on the interdisciplinary efforts required to implement these models with fidelity and with student success.

Creating Positive School Experiences for Students with Disabilities

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2156759X0601001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Milsom
Keyword(s):  
School Climate ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
School Experiences ◽  
School Policies ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
General School

The school experiences of students with disabilities can be positively or negatively influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of students and school personnel and by general school policies. School counselors can take the lead in assessing school climate in relation to students with disabilities and initiating interventions or advocating for change when appropriate. This article provides an overview of factors to consider in creating positive school experiences for students with disabilities and suggestions for intervention efforts.

Teacher Race and Racial Disparities in Special Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Elizabeth Fish
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Predominantly White ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Emotional Disturbance ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Teachers Of Color ◽  
Special Education Services ◽  
Teacher Race

The U.S. teacher population is predominantly White, yet research has not yet determined how teacher race might matter to the identification of students with disabilities. This study examines the role of teacher racial composition in special education service receipt. Findings show that schools’ proportion of teachers of color, net of all other factors, is associated with students’ increased odds of receiving special education services for all categories of disability, with the exception of emotional disturbance and autism spectrum disorder. These findings may reflect higher expectations of students held by teachers of color, which may lead to greater special education receipt for students who are not performing as well as expected. Although the effects do not vary by student race for most categories of disability, the evidence presented here suggests that increased representation of teachers of color ameliorates some underrepresentation of students of color in special education.

Opportunities for Extracurricular Physical Activity in North Carolina Middle Schools

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Edwards ◽  
Michael A. Kanters ◽  
Jason N. Bocarro
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Middle Schools ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Interscholastic Sports

Background:This study’s purpose was to assess the opportunities for North Carolina adolescents to be physically active in extracurricular middle school environments and to compare opportunities across community types.Methods:Data were analyzed based on the results of an electronic questionnaire distributed to a sample of 431 schools with a response rate of 75.4% (N = 325).Results:Nearly all schools offered interscholastic sports while fewer than half offered intramurals or noncompetitive activities to students. “Open gym” was offered at only 35% of schools, while 24% of schools offered extracurricular activities to students with disabilities. Overall, 43.4% of schools offered special transportation to students who participated in some extracurricular physical activities. Schools in rural areas generally offered fewer programs and had fewer supports than schools located in more urbanized areas. Over two-thirds of rural schools offered no extracurricular programs other than interscholastic sports.Conclusions:Schools can be important settings for physical activity. North Carolina’s middle schools and its rural schools in particular, are falling short in efforts to provide extracurricular physical activity programming recommended by researchers and policy groups.1−6 Lower accessibility to extracurricular physical activities may partially contribute to higher levels of physical inactivity found in the state.

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