The purpose of the study was to determine the current trends of FBAs and BIPs in a large school district in Arizona. The FBA and BIP components determined best practice by previous literature (Van Acker, et al., 2005; Blood & Neel, 2007) were used to analyze FBAs and BIPs of elementary age students grades Kindergarten through fifth grade serviced in a self-contained classroom designed for students with Emotional Disabilities. BASC-2 composite scores were reviewed and compared to students in the typical population as a means of determining a standard for self-contained placement for the participants. In addition, demographic data were examined including: sex, ethnicity, age, grade, grade of ED eligibility if applicable, and age of ED self-contained placement. This study investigated the FBA/BIPs to determine if they contained the necessary components determined to be best practice by previous researchers (Blood & Neel, 2007; Van Acker et al., 2005) and to answer specific questions about the plans. The major findings of the study with regard to the investigation of the specific FBA/BIP components include: 1) none of the participants had identified and detailed antecedent events in which the problem behavior was least likely to occur 2) the majority of the FBAs did not have an operational definition for the identified target behavior 3) nearly none of the FBAs identified the function of the target behavior 4) the majority of the FBAs had insufficient data regarding the frequency, intensity, and duration of the target behavior 5) none of the BIPs had an identified hypothesis that was considered sufficient. These findings answer the posed questions regarding the antecedent events, behavioral aspects, and consequences/interventions addressed on the FBA as well as the behavioral aspects and consequences/interventions addressed on the BIP. The implications of these findings and areas for future research are discussed.

<p dir="ltr">Motivation is a driving force to get a task done. It is no different for students. In order to graduate with a high school diploma, students need to be motivated to complete the required assignments. Students with Emotional Disabilities (ED), who often have behaviors that make it harder for them to be engaged in class need something more than their same age peers to be motivated to work through their daily schoolwork. The investigator conducted a needs-assessment survey that gave further insight of what teachers currently know about motivating students with ED, their attitudes towards students with ED and motivational strategies they are aware of. The major findings from this research stressed that teachers do not have all the tools they need to successfully motivate students with ED. These results led to a handbook that provided strategies to use and materials to go along with the research.</p>

The affectional bond that develops between caregiver and child during infancy can lead to the development of emotional distress and the manifestation of psychological disturbance if the relationship is severed and a sense of loss is experienced. Furthermore, the caregiver-child relationship formed during infancy can have implications for the development of interpersonal relationships in later life. The secure or insecure attachment relationships developed influence the capacity to form affectional bonds in later life and may lead to the manifestation of psychological disturbance, such as depression. The focus of this thesis is on four case studies of three children and one adolescent who have suffered negative early life experiences. Harrison is an 8 year old Koori boy who has suffered from maternal deprivation. Diana is a 10 year old girl who has a Mild Intellectual Disability and Epilepsy. The influence of second generational trauma on the caregiver-infant attachment relationship will also be explored in the case study of Diana. The third case study focuses on Melanie who is a 9 year old girl who has suffered from paternal sexual abuse and exhibits indiscriminate attachment relationships. Finally, the fourth case study focuses on Tammie who is a 16 year girl who exhibits depressive symptomatology which may have developed as a result of early insecure attachment relationships. The case studies are described with reference to attachment theory, the language and social deficits associated with negative early life experiences, and implications for therapeutic interventions.

It is well known that individuals with disabilities have poor postsecondary outcomes. As a result, state and local education agencies are held accountable for the post-school achievements of their students with disabilities. The purposes of this study were (a) to determine the extent to which the transition components of Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents were compliant with the transition requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA), (b) to determine the extent to which the transition components of the IEP documents provided evidence of best practices, (c) to determine the effects that disability category and ethnicity had on compliance and practices as evidenced in the transition components of the IEP documents, and (d) to determine the relationship between overall compliance and best practices. The sample for the study included 212 secondary students who had a developmental disability, an emotional disorder, or a learning disability and who were African American, Caucasian, or Hispanic. Several types of analyses were conducted including descriptive, multiple logistic regression, and Spearman's rho correlation. The overall level of compliance was 2.03 (SD = 1.238). The range of possible scores was 0 - 5, with 0 indicating that none of the components of compliance were 100 percent compliant, and 5 indicating that all of the components were 100 percent compliant. The overall level of best practices as evidenced in the IEP documents was 4.89 (SD = 1.569). The range of possible scores was 0 - 8, with 0 indicating that there was no evidence of any of the practices in the IEP document, and 8 indicating that evidence of all the practices was found in the IEP document. A student's disability category and ethnicity were found to be influencing characteristics for increasing or decreasing the probability of an IEP document being compliant and/or having evidence of best practices. A statistically significant correlation of r = .429 was found between the overall levels of compliance and best practices, indicating that as the level of compliance increased, so too did the level of best practices evident in the IEP document.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA, 2004) requires a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE) with access to the general curriculum. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) emphasizes academic achievement for all students in public schools, and the use of challenging assessments to improve the quality of instruction. Because students with emotional disabilities (ED) are more likely to attend special day schools outside of the public school setting, and less likely to be instructed in general education classrooms (U.S. Department of Education, 2006), the professional responsibilities of teachers within special day schools must be addressed. The researcher examined the professional responsibilities and professional needs of teachers in special day schools, and how their administrators support them. Data were collected through a qualitative design using focus group methodology. Major findings that emerged regarding professional responsibilities were categorized as (a) knowing content, (b) designing instruction, (c) assessing student learning, (d) monitoring student behavior, (e) communicating with parents and agencies, and (f) remaining current through professional practices. Findings regarding the professional needs of teachers included improved professional development practices, and administrative support. Data revealed that teachers believed their administrators support them when they provide performance appraisal and offer opportunities for collegial support and collaboration. The findings suggest that (a) most of these special day school teachers were non-traditionally prepared special educators; (b) these teachers were challenged in achieving and maintaining instructional focus; (c) despite multiple challenges they were highly motivated; and (d) were provided insufficient instructional support. Considering the current national trend regarding the improvement of academic performance for all students, high stakes assessment, and accountability, more attention should be paid to preparing teachers in private day school for academic programs while still addressing the behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students. Joint participation in professional development activities would be beneficial and welcomed by these private day school teachers. / Ed. D.