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This presentation will provide behavior analysts (BCBAs) and others with information about and skills in identifying, selecting and using evidence-based practices (EBP) in ABA. The definition and criteria for EBP, its conceptual similarities to and differences from the Baer, Wolf and Risley (1968, 1987) dimensions of ABA, resources for identifying EBPs, EBP examples relevant to BCBAs, and research, practical and ethical issues in EBPs for ABA will be presented and discussed. Two sources have outlined evidence-based practices for children with ASD. Prior to receiving information about EBPs, educators from around the state were asked to indicate whether they were familiar with several practices. If they were familiar, educators were asked about their perceptions of the evidence base. Results from a survey, suggestions for how BCBAs can effectively and efficiently stay abreast of advances/changes in EBPs, implications for BCBAs working with educators and making recommendations involving evidence-based practices are included.

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Institutes of higher education with teacher education programs are increasingly utilizing video technology for field supervision. Many rural school districts, however, are still reluctant to allow the use of video, even when it is required of edTPA. The presenters will discuss recent experiences and propose possible solutions based on research.

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Computer Science is an increasingly important topic in K-12 education. Ever since the "computing crisis" of the early 2000s, where enrollment in CS dropped by over half in a five year span, increasing research has gone into improving and broadening enrollment in CS courses. Research shows the importance of introducing CS at a young age and the need for more exposure for younger children and young adults alike in order to work towards equity in the field. While there are many reasons for disinterest in CS courses, studies found one reason young adults do not want to study CS is a perception of it being tedious and lacking opportunities for creativity. Making more creative assignments is one way to try and engage more students who may not feel like stereotypical computer scientists. This thesis focuses in on the effects of creative choice in CS curriculum on students' self-efficacy, engagement/preferences, and performance. It aims to capture the effects of creative choice on a range of K-12 students of varying demographics in order to make CS more accessible for everyone. The first half of the thesis experimentally validates the effects of creative choice in existing 5th grade CS classes. We created two variants of worksheets for the students - creative worksheets and rigid worksheets. After distributing these worksheets, surveys, and quizzes, we found students still feel a sense of ownership with limited versions of creative choice and benefit from a blend of creative and rigid instructions. In addition, student performance was not affected by our different treatments. The second half of the thesis adapted and launched the fifth grade curriculum to a new demographic, teaching the course to Juvenile Hall students. Student surveys and reports from their teacher showed this class had a positive impact and was well received by students and staff. We found students would prefer a longer class next iteration, as this one only extended five weeks. Future work will be needed to experimentally evaluate the specific impact of creative choice in this new demographic.

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Independent Living Transition Assistance for Young Adults Who Have Special Needs. Rhonda L. Russell, 2016: Applied Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. Keywords: special education, disadvantaged youth, economically disadvantaged This research focused on young adults who have disabilities and their transition and career planning for post-secondary life. The study sought to identify best practices in transition planning, transition planning services, and to determine the types of resources and support needed by young adults who have disabilities. For youth who have disabilities, the transition to adulthood is extremely challenging. Policies, systems, and services tend to be uncoordinated or fragmented, and youth who have disabilities and their families lack the information needed to navigate the transition successfully, which limits opportunities for full participation in adult life. It was concluded from the study results that transitioning from secondary education programs to post-secondary education or training programs and employment is most aided by (a) positive support from family, (b) the introduction of transition services early in the young adults’ secondary education experience, and (c) young adults availing themselves of services provided by disability service agencies such as job skill development, self-advocacy training, independent living, etc. Additionally, it was concluded from the study results that maintaining employment is as equally challenging as is obtaining employment. Interview respondents reported facing challenges such as discrimination and compromised privacy. Impediments to transition included low self- esteem, independence discouraged by family members, limited transportation, access to services, and limited knowledge about available services. Recommendations to expand the use of rehabilitation and employment services included interagency collaboration and innovative marketing approaches.

Youth with disabilities experience greater levels of victimization than non-disabled youth. However, little is known about the associations between peer victimization and disability status alone and in combination with sex and race/ethnicity, or with sex and sexual orientation. Further, little is known about the extent to which exposure to peer victimization mediates the relationship between disability status and psychosocial distress. Thus, one purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which disability status, as a marker of social difference, alone and in combination with other social identities, is associated with differential levels of exposure to peer victimization. A secondary purpose of this research was to examine whether the relationship between disability status and psychological distress is mediated by exposure to peer victimization, and if so, whether the mediation is moderated by sex. This study analyzed complex survey data, using the 2008 Oregon Healthy Teen dataset, which included 7091 students in 11th grade. Intersectional analyses were conducted to determine the extent to which the student's social status (disability, sex, race, and sexual orientation) was associated with exposure to peer victimization. Results from a series of logistic regressions suggest that disability status is highly associated with exposure to peer victimization. Further, the relationship between disability status and peer victimization changes, and the magnitude of change varies, by specific intersectional status. The relative magnitude of increased odds among students with disabilities reporting peer victimization grew considerably when considered in combination with race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. Results from the mediation analyses confirmed that exposure to peer victimization mediated the relationship between disability status and psychosocial distress; however, there was little support for sex as a moderator. These findings have the potential to guide development of interventions and strategies (e.g., policies, mechanisms for reporting victimization) to safeguard the health of all students, with particular attention to those at highest risk for peer victimization in the school context. Future research should examine factors in the school environment related to exposure to peer victimization, utilizing an intersectional approach, with attention to differences on multiple non-dominant culture statues.