TITLE: "Self-concept of pupils with specific learning disability in group and individual integration" AUTHOR: Bc. Barbora Paukova DEPARTMENT: Special education department THESIS SUPERVISOR: Mgr. Lenka Felcmanova ABSTRACT: The major topic of the diploma thesis named "Self-concept of pupils with specific learning disability in group and individual integration" is the different self-concept of success rate of older school age pupils with specific learning disability who are educated in a form of individual integration and in a form of group integration. The theoretical foundation of the thesis deals with the term of specific learning disability, with its terminology, definition, causes, classification and reeducation. It further focuses on the education of pupils with specific learning disability, on the term of self-concept and on the older school age period. Practical part of the thesis includes the quantitative research made using the standardized SPAS questionnaire. Methodology of the research, research preconditions, targets of the research, analysis of the collected data and evaluation of the research results are described in the thesis. KEY WORDS: Specific learning disability, older school age, self-concept, individual integration, group integration

Syftet med denna studie är att få kunskap om hur elever med läs- och skrivsvårigheter/dyslexi upplever skolans stöd i läsning och skrivning. Sex ungdomar mellan 12 och 20 år har intervjuats. Utsagorna har analyserats tematiskt med en fenomenologisk ansats. Resultatet visar att eleverna vill att lärarna ska lyssna och beakta deras åsikter gällande vilket stöd som de behöver, samt var, hur och när detta ska ges. Eleverna upplever skilda svårigheter i läsning och skrivning, vilket även kan resultera i problem gällande de teoretiska ämnena. Praktiska ämnen beskrivs däremot vara lätta och roliga. Att ha tillgång till läroböcker uppges vara viktig, eftersom dessa beskriver och konkretiserar ämnets innehåll. Vidare upplevs datorn kunna ge stöd för skrivandet. Att undervisningen anpassas inom den vanliga klassen föredras av eleverna, men samtidigt kan det även upplevas positivt att ha tillgång till stöd utanför klassrummet. Att ha kamrater, både bland de som befinner sig i liknande svårigheter och andra, beskrivs också vara viktigt. Sociala relationer och lärarnas kompetens bidrar till stor del gällande inställningen till skolan i allmänhet.  Om skolan anpassar organisationen och utvecklar undervisningen, ökar möjligheten till att kunna beakta varje elevs vilja. Det är också viktigt att olika etiska aspekter lyfts fram och diskuteras i skolan, exempelvis gällande lärarnas förhållningssätt gentemot eleverna. Elevernas röster kan ge oss viktig vägledning i arbetet mot en inkluderande skola, om vi bara tar oss tid att lyssna. / Delaktighet, socialt klimat och lärande (VR 2008-4733)

This thesis is focused on the integration of pupils with special educational needs into alternative schools, points out the pros and cons for their education. In the theoretical part are explained in more detail the concepts related to specific learning disorder ADHD and mental retardation. There is characterized by the integration and inclusion of children with this disability and their cooperation with educational assistant. In the end of the given principles of the Waldorf, here is a comprehensive overview of the philosophy, education of pupils at the Waldorf schools. The practical part focuses on the specifics of the educational process at the Waldorf School and the inclusion of children with special educational needs into teaching. In qualitative research, the case study of integrated children and analyzed their professional documentation. Interested observing and working with them is documented their previous education and assessed the appropriateness of including these children to alternative schools.

abstract: The popularity of response-to-intervention (RTI) frameworks of service delivery has increased in recent years. Scholars have speculated that RTI may be particularly relevant to the special education assessment process for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, due to its suspected utility in ruling out linguistic proficiency as the primary factor in learning difficulties. The present study explored how RTI and traditional assessment methods were integrated into the psychoeducational evaluation process for students suspected of having specific learning disabilities (SLD). The content of psychoeducational evaluation reports completed on students who were found eligible for special education services under the SLD category from 2009-2013 was analyzed. Two main research questions were addressed: how RTI influenced the psychoeducational evaluation process, and how this process differed for CLD and non-CLD students. Findings indicated variability in the incorporation of RTI in evaluation reports, with an increase across time in the tendency to reference the prereferral intervention process. However, actual RTI data was present in a minority of reports, with the inclusion of such data more common for reading than other academic areas, as well as more likely for elementary students than secondary students. Contrary to expectations, RTI did not play a larger role in evaluation reports for CLD students than reports for non-CLD students. Evaluations of CLD students also did not demonstrate greater variability in the use of traditional assessments, and were more likely to rely on nonverbal cognitive measures than evaluations of non-CLD students. Methods by which practitioners addressed linguistic proficiency were variable, with parent input, educational history, and individually-administered proficiency test data commonly used. Assessment practices identified in this study are interpreted in the context of best practice recommendations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Psychology 2014

Current learning support in an effort to address the learning needs of learners with learning disabilities tends to focus on their language abilities (reading and writing), without enough emphasis on the cognitive manifestations that could contribute to barriers to learning, if not addressed appropriately from within the school system. In this study the organisation skills of learners with learning disabilities were studied to determine their true nature. The research was undertaken with Grade 8 and 9 pupils in a private school for learners with learning disabilities. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, assessment data of the learners with learning disabilities were analysed. Three different categories of learning needs regarding the organisation skills of learners with learning disabilities were identified. In the second phase, these categories of learning needs were explored using an Ethnographic Approach with Action Research as design. The outcomes of the action research were examined by analysing behaviours and written products of the learners, consistently within the context of the learning situation. It was established that the barriers to learning regarding the organisation skills of these learners are at least in part intrinsic and therefore make a strong appeal to the learning system for support. Learning support should be seen as an integral part of the teaching and learning process in all schools. It was therefore clear that a Systemic approach should be used to address the barriers to learning that learners with learning disabilities experience. A different perspective than that of the fragmented medical model was taken in exploring and addressing these needs. It was a shift towards a more holistic Ecological Systemic Approach. / Thesis (PhD (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

As it has become a prominent feature in the identification of students with specific learning disabilities (SLD), response to intervention (RTI) has generated significant interest and, in some respects, controversy regarding assessment and attendant procedures. In the present study, the authors surveyed state directors of special education (n = 31) to examine (a) the degree to which RTI policies and recommended practices are transmitted between state and local agencies, including those related to referrals of low achieving (i.e., “non-responsive”) students for a comprehensive evaluation; (b) communication with parents; and (c) their perceptions of the impact of RTI insofar as SLD identification is concerned. Results reflect disparities among many states and their districts in terms of the procedures used, data collected, and whether the effectiveness of RTI is evaluated. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

No description available.

As the population of English Language Learners (ELLs) continues to grow in schools, so does the concern for their lack of academic progress and the possible inequitable representation of this culturally and linguistically diverse population in special education (Artiles, Rueda, Salazar, & Higareda, 2005; Guiberson, 2009; Mac Swan & Rolstad, 2006; Rinaldi & Samson, 2008). Of particular concern is the increase of ELLs with an eligibility of Specific Learning Disability (SLD), especially when examined at the local level (Klinger, Artiles, & Barletta, 2006). To understand this phenomenon at the local level, this mixed-method study examined ELLs with SLD in a large California urban school district by targeting English language development (ELD) at the macro and micro level. The researcher accomplished this focus by examining the relationship between English language proficiency levels, grade levels, and type of learning disorder among kindergarten through twelfth grade ELLs with SLD. The researcher analyzed cumulative educational records of three eighth grade ELLs with SLD, including Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs), to examine how ELD needs have been addressed. The results of the quantitative portion of this study revealed greater distribution patterns of ELLs with SLD in sixth through ninth grades. The researcher also found ELLs with SLD to be primarily represented in the early stages of ELD (beginning, early intermediate, and intermediate) and identified with an auditory processing disorder. Results of the case studies also revealed that after nine years of ELD instruction, the students had not reclassified as English proficient and documented evidence of ELD instruction and support was minimal.

Hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder belong to very complicated disorders which should be considered in a global view. At present no general or miracle medicine can be used. However, specific learning disabilities and ADHD are focused on very intensively at basic schools in the Czech Republic. Children´s aggressiveness, hyperactivity and difficulties in raising are discussed very often. No programme or method can substitute a nice family life, loving parental care and good relations in the family. However, many cases of destroying a contended family life caused by child´s disorders or disharmony are reported. Even the best family is not expected to be able to bring up a hyperactive child by itself. The dissertation is focused on children who suffer from functional disorder called ADHD syndrom. First part of the work is divided into chapters which detail ADHD terminology, its historical development, symptoms, probable causes, diagnostics and ways of dealing with it in general. Further chapters analyse specific learning disabilities which are closely related to ADHD. The goal of the work consists in emphasising importance of self-help societies and civic associations at local and national dimensions. Next part concerns with the study on current situation of the care and service provided for ADHD children and their families in the region of Česká Lípa.Children´s parents were asked to fill in the questionnaire in order to find out their opinions and needs, and if they are satisfied with services provided for their children. They were also informed about the self-help societies and civic associations and ways of establishing local ones. The work should draw attention to the disorders mentioned above and most of all emphasise the importance of civil sector which plays a significant role in dealing with these problems. The author would also like to refer to the necessity of improving lives of these childrens and their close relatives.

The purpose of this Graduation Theses is to ascertain the status of a slightly handicapped child in a primary school class collective. It concerns namely children with a diagnosis of slight cerebral dysfunction or specific learning disability. The theoretic part deals with the nature of a primary school class, particularly from a developmental and sociological point of view. Further, it considers the problems of learning disability and behaviour disorder, which applies for the pupils I have been concerned with in my Graduation Theses, and also the questions of school integration. The practical part comprises the research itself and processes the data obtained. The investigation took place in the Grünwaldova elementary school in České Budějovice. It was executed using the sociometrical method, monitoring, observation, and a questionnaire designed for teachers. Individual parts of the research using the sociometrical method are introduced in the appendices.