BACKGROUND: Many families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) pursue the development of spoken language through the use of advanced hearing technology and intensive, specialized listening and spoken language (LSL) intervention services. LSL practitioners utilize caregiver coaching to transfer knowledge and skills to parents, equipping them to effectively support their child's listening and language development. Caregiver coaching builds parents' capacity to implement intervention strategies within daily routines to maximize learning opportunities to reach this goal. While caregiver coaching is a hallmark of LSL practice, there is a lack of consensus and paucity of evidence to support its use with children who are DHH learning to listen and talk. The purpose of this research was therefore to gain a greater understanding of caregiver coaching practices in LSL services for families of children ages birth-3 who are DHH. OBJECTIVES: 1) to provide a synthesis of the literature and identify gaps in the existing knowledge base regarding coaching in LSL services, 2) to gain insight into practitioners' and caregivers' experiences with coaching in LSL services, and 3) to gain a better understanding of coaching practices in LSL services with families of children who are DHH. METHODOLOGY: The first objective was addressed by performing a scoping review of the literature to synthesize the relevant research and professional practice recommendations and identify gaps in the knowledge base regarding coaching caregivers in LSL practice. The remaining objectives were addressed through qualitative, semi-structured interviews and video observation discussions with LSL practitioners and caregivers to gain insight into caregivers' perspectives and practitioners' perspectives and practices. Interviews were conducted with 14 practitioners and 13 caregivers at three intervention sites in the US and Canada. These sites represent three different service delivery models of LSL intervention for families of children who are DHH. RESULTS: The scoping review findings revealed a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the principles and practices of caregiver coaching in LSL services. We presented the following topics found in the literature: coaching practices, training for coaching, the effectiveness of coaching, and recommendations for coaching. Caregivers reported coaching as a positive experience; however, coaching practices differed among sites and between practitioners, supporting the results of the scoping review. The caregivers indicated factors that contribute to a positive coaching relationship, including practitioner characteristics, establishing explicit expectations, and adapting to caregivers' changing needs over time. The practitioner interviews also supported a lack of consistency in coaching practices between sites and indicated that underlying beliefs impact how practitioners coach and engage caregivers. CONCLUSION: The findings from this dissertation provide practical, actionable steps that LSL practitioners can implement to develop and support the caregiver coaching relationship. These findings have the potential to inform professional preparation and development activities to better equip practitioners to engage caregivers in the intervention process, and ultimately, positively impact the listening and spoken language outcomes of the children they serve.

The study focuses on young children with developmental delays (DD) in a large school district and explores the effects of Pre-Kindergarten Exceptional Student Education (Pre-K ESE) duration on 136 students' 3rd grade academic achievement and socialization opportunities. This study specifically examines the 2003 statewide assessment (i.e. Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, FCAT) results of children with DD and their 3rd grade special education status. The literature review showed that providing early intervention services for young children ages 3 through 5 with special needs in the public school system has become the movement of both the federal and state educational policies. However, the empirical studies regarding the effects of Pre-K early intervention programs provided within the public school system are few. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to examine the effect of the Pre-K duration (1 year vs. 2 years) on students' 3rd grade performance as measured by FCAT Reading scores, FCAT Math scores, and socialization opportunities (i.e. weekly Non-ESE minutes) while controlling for students' socioeconomic status (i.e. free/reduced price lunch status) and gender. Moreover, a paired sample t test was conducted to examine the difference of the Matrix of Services scores between Pre-K and 3rd grade evaluations. The results of this study provide an insightful picture of Florida Pre-K intervention duration on the performance of children with special needs in public schools.

This study investigated the impact of the School-Home Partnership Model at Metter Intermediate School, a small rural school in southeast Georgia. The subjects of this student were parents, students, and teachers of the school. In particular, this study investigated the impact of the School-Home Partnership Model on "at-risk" students. For the purpose of this study the term "at-risk" student is defined to mean a student identified as being below grade level in reading and/or math based on the guidelines of Georgia's Early Intervention Program (EIP). The term "at-risk" student as used in this study also means a student identified as a special education student according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Quantitative methods and interviews were used to collect and analyze data. Theses methods consisted of document analysis, surveys, and interviews. The investigation results show that parents, students, and teachers had very positive attitudes toward the school. Extensive communication stratefies were utilized between the home and school. Children's attendance in school improved, while the number of discipline referrals to the school office increased for "at-risk" students. Quantitative data based on Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) showed limited changes. Report card grades showed improvements in grades for "at-risk" students in reading, math, and spelling. Parents of both non "at-risk" and "at-risk" students overwhelming believed they could better assist their children learn if teachers provided more ideas of ways they could help their children at home.

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This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) instructional model on Tier 2 first-grade mathematics students in a Response to Intervention model. Twelve students were instructed three times a week using the Expeditions to Numeracy program. The Test of Early Mathematics Ability-3rd edition results overwhelmingly indicated dramatic student growth. A t-test, which included all twelve students in the study, was found to be statistically significant (t=5.79, p<.01). The effects of a CRA instructional model on students' computational fluency were measured through the use of the curriculum based assessments given weekly to all first-grade students. Only those students who had not yet met the first-grade benchmark were included in the analysis of growth over time. All intervention students showed significant growth on their CBM scores throughout the study, exceeding the recommended weekly growth of 0.35. Two-thirds of the students exceed the recommended growth by two or more points. A single-subject analysis of the CBM data all indicated the strong student growth. The analyses of the student growth on the CBMs, as well as the variables that affect this change, were also analyzed using Growth Curve Modeling. The final model of analysis indicated the treatment group's slope was statistically significantly greater than the slope for other members of the study, including those students progressing at a typical first-grade level and therefore not eligible for services. These results indicate a statistically significant affect of a CRA instructional model when used with Tier 2 students in a Response to Intervention Model on students' computational fluency and mathematical achievement. / CITE/Mathematics and Science Education

This study sought to describe the current implementation of behavioral strategies across Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of the preschool Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) model by preschool special education professionals in the state of Pennsylvania (PA). Both federal and state mandates have urged and required the use of PBIS in early childhood settings to alleviate issues of challenging behavior, while simultaneously reducing suspension and expulsion at the early childhood level. As such, the current study attempted to outline the level of preparation and training received by preschool special education professionals, across all disciplines, in the area of PBIS by higher education entities, as well as through their preschool special education employers. Furthermore, the study looked to analyze the reported implementation of PBIS strategies across tiers by the special education professionals within early childhood settings across regions of PA. Approximately 780 preschool special education professionals were surveyed and a total of 248 responded, resulting in a 31.8% response rate. A descriptive survey approach was utilized and univariate analyses, as well as one-way ANOVA and correlational analyses were conducted. Results showed the current state of PBIS implementation in PA through preschool special education professionals remains variable, inconsistent and possibly under-supported by employers and higher education entities. A large percentage of the overall population, 62%, reported having taken 0 credits in PBIS-related content at the higher education level. Approximately 65% reported two or fewer trainings offered by their employer in the past two years, however, 70% of the respondents reported being offered coaching in PBIS. Behavior Support Specialists, Special Education Teachers and Occupational Therapists are among the top three defined professional roles that consistently report implementing strategies with higher frequencies than other defined disciplines. Tier 1 strategies are implemented at higher frequencies than Tier 2 strategies and Tier 2 strategies are implemented with higher frequencies than Tier 3 strategies. Specific, targeted areas of global PBIS requirements can be increased to possibly result in an overall increase in the fidelity of PBIS strategy implementation and a decrease in reported suspensions and expulsions, these include the use of preschool special education professionals on early childhood-based PBIS leadership teams and an increase in the frequency of data collection and analysis. There are also a number of reported barriers, including capacity of early childhood program staff and parental and familial involvement that reportedly inhibit preschool special education professionals from successfully and consistently implementing PBIS in early childhood settings. / Special Education