Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Curriculum and Instruction. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

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The two research questions that guided this qualitative, descriptive case study were: 1. What staff development and training occurred since IDEA 1997 and what would be recommended in the future in a selected Virginia school district regarding the discipline problems of students with disabilities. 2. How had one Virginia school district responded, implemented and resolved disciplinary problems (including barriers) as related to IDEA 1997 for specific students with disabilities who were in need of disciplinary measures during the 1999-2000 school year? The seven selected students with disabilities were chosen based on their disciplinary actions as related to five interview guide questions that focused on some new IDEA 1997 disciplinary regulations. Sources came from a review of formal and informal records, interviews, observations, and follow-up based on data analysis. These questions dealt with the disciplinary issues involving: 1. Multiple short-term removals. 2. Change of placements. 3. Interim alternative settings. 4. Removal for more than ten days. 5. Disciplinary change of placement. 6. Discipline whereas a functional assessment and behavioral implementation plans, strategies and supports were reviewed for students with disabilities in need of disciplinary action. Themes, patterns and recommendations were given at the school district and at the state level. Recommendations for further study were made. Within this school district, three surfaced themes as part of lessons learned were noted. These themes were a) the revolving door of homebound placement, b) monitor and compliance issues, and c) documentation concerns for students with disabilities as mandated by IDEA 1997. Ten patterns were noted as related to the seven students with disabilities due to their disciplinary actions. All seven students with disabilities had a long history of special education placements, attendance problems and were recommended for counseling. Six of these student's parents were minimally involved with their child's progress. Six of these students were drug involved. Positive interventions, strategies and supports were utilized for five of these students when receiving disciplinary consequences. Five of these students with disabilities had other difficult family issues. Four of these students with disabilities were court involved while one student was involved with the community services board. Three students had work experiences and three students had low to average intelligence. Other noteworthy considerations involving climate and culture, money and safety were discussed. / Ed. D.

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The behaviors frequently displayed by students with autism can place them at risk for overly reactive behavior interventions with unwanted side effects. The current study examined the level of intrusiveness of behavioral treatments developed for 198 students with disabilities from 13 different states. Results demonstrated that students diagnosed with autism had proportionally more intrusive behavior interventions when compared to students in five other disability categories and indicated that many students with autism were unnecessarily subjected to highly intrusive behavior interventions. The implications of these findings are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.

In order to better assist practitioners and better serve persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, it is vital for professionals to systematically evaluate the existing body of literature and synthesize its scientific evidence, so that the efficacy of research can be translated to evidence-based practices (EBPs) (Wheeler, 2007; Zhang & Wheeler, 2011). This research synthesis evaluated adherence to EBP standards and analyzed the effectiveness of gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets for individuals with ASD. Four hundred and seventy articles were screened among peer-reviewed journals in English language published through 2010 using the Academic Search Complete search database. Twenty-three studies were selected, and the researchers used a systematic analysis model developed by Mayton, Wheeler, Menendez, and Zhang (2010) to investigate the degree of adherence to specific evidence-based practice standards. In addition, the study utilized quality indicators proposed by (a) Horner et al. (2005) for single-subject design studies and (b) Gersten et al. (2005) for group experimental design, to evaluate the efficacy of GFCF diet interventions. Results of this synthesis indicated that the efficacy of GFCF diet interventions for individuals with ASD is inconclusive, and the field needs better controlled studies to provide the scientific evidence base for the intervention.

Thesis (Ph.D) -- The College of Saint Elizabeth, 2010. / Typescript. Available at The College of Saint Elizabeth - Office of Graduate Programs. "May 2010"

Congress in 1997 recognized that there were some issues and concerns that had emerged surrounding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and sought to address these issues and concerns by mandating a national evaluation on the implementation and progress toward improving outcomes for students with disabilities. The Study of the State and Local Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was designed to address how the amendments of IDEA were being implemented by states, school districts, and schools. This mixed methods study examined the first year of data collected from the six-year Study of the State and Local Implementation of IDEA (SLIIDEA) and analyzing 20 case studies that used interviews of special education personnel and principals, conducted at the local school level. Data from the national survey were examined in light of findings from the case studies. The case studies brought out the varying opinions on implementation success at the local level. Further case studies for each year of the study would be helpful in determining the level of implementation locally and the significant insights of local school personnel on whether these initiatives have worked.