Champions for Change Mentorship Program (CFCMP) was implemented to address the academic and social struggles of emotional behavior disorder (EBD) students. The problem was that although the passing of the California Assembly Bill 1729, called the Other Means of Correction law, had prompted a greater need for positive behavior intervention support at Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels, implementation of the CFCMP continued to generate serious concerns involving students with behavior issues. The conceptual framework for this study is Bandura's social learning theory which guided CFCMP to incorporate cognitive and observational learning to develop academically and socially sound students with EBD who can function appropriately in the educational setting. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the essence of the lived experiences of teachers in regard to the implementation of CFCMP as an effective behavioral strategy. The guiding research question explored the essence of the lived experience of elementary teachers who have implemented CFCMP. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design, data were gathered from face-to-face interviews and observations of 6 participants. Data analysis revealed 4 common themes including training, time management, communication, and lack of administrative support were used to identify commonalities and differences in the participants' lived experiences and perspectives on the needs of EBD students involved in CFCMP. Research findings showed a lack of organization of CFCMP and the need for intensive training for teachers. Positive social change will result from a 3-day professional development providing the study's findings and procedures teachers can use to assist EBD students in modifying behaviors to improve their educational achievement and that of their classmates.

Doctor of Education / Department of Special Education, Counseling and Student Affairs / James M. Teagarden / Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) have academic and behavioral deficits that impact their school success. For example, reading achievement of students with EBD is lower than typically developing peers and fails to improve over time without intervention. Despite this, the academic deficits of students with EBD often get overlooked and there are limited evidence-based practices for reading instruction to support them. This study sought to address this limitation by applying the Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), which has supportive evidence when applied to students with learning disabilities. The study involved eight 5th grade students, three were identified with EBD. The intervention, implemented by the classroom teacher, failed to result in gains in oral reading fluency, comprehension, and targeted social skills due to a variety of factors to be discussed. Limitations and future research are discussed, including considerations for future research.

<p>The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.</p>

The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.The globalization of markets is hindering the competitive position of organizations throughout the world. On one hand, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which have settled in a niche market face an escalating difficulty to defend their market share. On the other hand, increasing fragmentation of value chains throughout the world is turning many SMEs into powerless suppliers (Gammelgaard and Mathiasen, 2007). Consequently, SMEs are obliged to improve their competitiveness, and outsourcing is an effective tool to achieve that. However, its use is still not widespread throughout SMEs (Knowledge Wharton, 2004). In fact, SMEs are perceived to be stimulators of the local economies (Blackford as cited by Odaka and Hawai, 1999, p.58) and to be more attached to their local environment. The weight of emotional responses in decision making of outsourcing might be related to the low occurrence of it amongst SMEs. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand in which way the emotional factors affect the decision making of outsourcing in SMEs.The study follows a qualitative strategy with an explanatory research design. We did not only want to explore the impact of emotional factors, but understand the reasons behind it. Accordingly, we first identified the possible economic and emotional factor through the construction of the theoretical framework. This allowed us to know their individual relevance in the decision making, but unfortunately we could not obtain a coherent picture of their relationship. In order to accomplish these relations, the primary data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Six SMEs with headquarters in Umeå were interviewed and provided us with the necessary data. Consequently, our analysis unveiled the relationship between the factors that affect the decision of outsourcing - managing to fulfill the purpose of our study.Basically, our obtained results led us to the conclusion that the small or medium nature of the enterprise does not condition their emotional behavior. Therefore, we concluded that the fact that the enterprise being an SME does not imply that emotional factors have more weight in the decision making. In fact, we discovered that the emotional factor with the highest degree of influence in decision making of outsourcing in SMEs is the type of corporate culture of the business.

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of an interdependent group contingency commonly referred to as the “good behavior game” (GBG) on reducing disruptive behaviors in a dedicated classroom for students with emotional behavioral disorder (EBD). The participants were four eighth-grade middle school students, with a primary diagnosis of EBD. The intervention targeted inappropriate and disruptive behaviors during two class periods (math and science), as well appropriate alternative behaviors. The class was divided into two teams, with the four participants divided evenly amongst both teams. If a team met the criterion for both inappropriate and appropriate behavior during experimental sessions, each team member received an edible reinforcer (candy). In addition, teams that met the weekly goal of winning the most games earned a trip to a classroom with younger peers to participate in a social activity (pizza party, movie and popcorn, etc.). The results indicated a decrease in inappropriate behaviors, as well as an increase in appropriate behaviors. The results suggested that the GBG is a beneficial group interdependent contingency that can be implemented in many classroom settings, including an alternative EBD middle school classroom. .

Students with emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) who have been removed from their regular schools into alternative educational settings (AES) have academic deficits that affect their success in school (Lehr, Tan, & Ysseldyke, 2009); however, few researchers have investigated what strategies work best for this population, especially in the area of math (Schwab, Johnson, Ansley, Houchins, & Varjas, 2016). Two important areas that students with EBD must master to graduate high school are fractions and algebra (Templeton, Neel, & Blood, 2008). Since the research on math interventions for students with EBD in these areas is limited, researchers have suggested examining the math literature for students with learning disabilities (LD) to find potential intervention components. The purpose of the first study was to synthesize the randomized control trials and quasi-experimental intervention research on instructional approaches that enhance the math achievement of students in grades 6-12 with LD. This study used meta-analytic techniques to synthesize the math literature for secondary students with LD. Findings indicated that strategy instruction had a higher effect size (Hedges g= .72) than alternate delivery systems (Hedges g= .23), and the number of Common Core State Standard math practices was a moderator for the effect size of math interventions. Since strategy instruction had a higher effect size, the purpose of the second study was to test the effects of a graphic organizer on the math performance for middle school students with EBD in an AES. This study used a one-group nonequivalent dependent variables design (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002) with multiple measures in multiple waves to assess the effects of the graphic organizer on the math skills of the students. A repeated measures ANOVA indicated that students significantly improved their math performance on both fractions and algebra using researcher developed measures. Fidelity data indicated that two teachers had low adherence, quality of instruction scores and had low percentages of student engagement. Social validity results indicated that teacher and students found the intervention to be an acceptable intervention.

Une grande diversité dans la réponse adaptative au stress est observée entre les individus favorisant une sensibilité variable face aux stresseurs et pouvant conduire à une vulnérabilité à développer divers troubles et pathologies. Cette diversité est sous tendue par les caractéristiques propres de chaque individu, déterminées par le patrimoine génétique en interaction avec les facteurs environnementaux. Des études génétiques menées au laboratoire ont permis de placer le gène de la Cbg comme un candidat important influençant les réponses de stress. L’équipe a alors développé un modèle de souris déficiente pour le gène Cbg (k.o. total). La CBG est une glycoprotéine plasmatique responsable de la biodisponibilité et du transport jusqu’à leur cible des glucocorticoïdes, produits finaux de l’axe corticotrope. A l’aide de ce modèle original, l’objectif de mon travail de thèse a été d’étudier les conséquences fonctionnelles de la déficience en CBG sur les réponses de stress. Nous avons ainsi analysé l’activité et la réactivité de l’axe corticotrope ainsi que les comportements émotionnels des mâles et des femelles k.o. Cbg dans des conditions de repos, de stress aigu et dans un contexte mimant l’effet d’un style de vie occidentale (modélisé par une alimentation enrichie en gras, associée à un stress chronique). Nous présentons ainsi un modèle murin unique d’hypo-réponse des glucocorticoïdes au stress associé à une réponse comportementale adaptative ralentie au niveau émotionnel et cognitif. L’ensemble de ces travaux contribue à placer la CBG et son gène comme acteur majeur de la variabilité individuelle des réponses de stress. / A great diversity in the adaptive response to stress is observed between individuals favoring a variable sensitivity to face stressors and leading to a vulnerability to develop various disorders and diseases. This diversity is due to the characteristics of each individual, as determined by the genetic background in interaction with environmental factors. Genetic studies conducted in the laboratory demonstrated that the Cbg gene is an important candidate influencing stress responses. The team then developed a mouse model deficient for the gene Cbg (total k.o.). CBG is a plasma glycoprotein responsible for the bioavailability and the transport of glucocorticoids, the final products of the HPA axis, to their target.Using this original model, the objective of my thesis was to study the functional consequences of CBG deficiency on responses to stress exposure. We have analyzed the activity and reactivity of the HPA axis and the emotional behaviors of males and females k.o. Cbg in resting conditions, acute stress and in a context that mimics the effect of a Western life style (modeled by a high fat diet, associated with chronic stress). We present an unique mouse model of glucocorticoid hyposignaling in response to stress associated with behavioral responses slowed down at the emotional and cognitive levels. Overall, this work contributes to place CBG and its gene as major actor of individual variability to stress.

The purpose of this study was to discover the current awareness of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the link between language disorder and the juvenile justice system. It is to consider how speech-language pathology, as a profession, think about the implications of language disorder on life outcomes as well as determine the need for speech-language intervention within the juvenile justice system. A Google Form was created and distributed to current speech-language pathologists that have their Certificate of Clinical competence, and have experience working with students in the educational setting. Results suggest SLPs are aware of the link between LD and the juvenile justice system as well as the aspects of language found difficult for these young offenders, but training and professional development on this topic is minimal. Participants report an interest in interprofessional practice and are positioned to become advocates for young offenders with LD in the juvenile justice system.

The importance of looking at student and teacher interactions holistically is essential and results in reflective teaching practices; consequently, the reflective practice of teaching needs to incorporate all facets of the teacher, known and unknown. This study looks at the potential influence of hidden biases towards adolescent Hispanic males and students with Emotional Behavior Disorders by observing preservice teacher (PT) interactions with students within a simulated classroom environment. Factorial MANOVAs and Discriminant analyses revealed statistically significant interactions and relationships between participant level of bias and the identified student avatars. These exchanges were more prevalent with one student avatar by both experimental and control PTs; indicating that student characteristics and their differences are important factors that need to be considered when addressing issues related to bias.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the Precision Request as a behavior intervention on the compliance behavior of students in a self-contained class for students with emotional-behavioral disorders. The Precision Request is an intervention commonly used by teachers to decrease noncompliance. The study took place in an elementary school behavior unit classroom. The participants included one special education teacher and the eight students in his class. A single subject reversal design was used to track student percentage of compliance, latency to compliance, as well as teacher use of praise and reductive consequences as part of the Precision Request intervention. The results indicated that the Precision Request produced a decrease in noncompliance among the students. However, it did not produce a meaningful change in latency to compliance. The introduction of the Precision Request also resulted in an increase in the teacher's use of praise, but no meaningful change in the use of reductive consequences. More research is needed to establish the active components of the intervention and the generality of the intervention effects.