This study was designed to describe the experiences of general education students in elementary settings where the inclusion of students with disabilities was responsibly implemented. The research question investigated was: Do general education students have a meaningful opportunity to learn when sharing classrooms with students with disabilities? The participants in this study were assigned to two inclusion classrooms in an elementary school in northeastern North Carolina. The classrooms were observed during the months of January and February, 1999. Effective educational practices in inclusion classrooms were researched. Data were also collected and analyzed in four areas: (1) principal and teachers' definitions of inclusion, (2) principal and teachers' perceptions of how inclusion is implemented in the school, (3) effects of inclusion on teachers' instructional practices, and (4) effects of inclusion on the learning opportunities for general education students. There were no observable effects of inclusion on the learning opportunities for general education students. / Ed. D.

Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 set higher standards for the education of students with disabilities. In addition, to the original purposes of the law that ensured a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE), amendments mandated that students with disabilities be included in state accountability and assessment systems, moving educators from an age of accessibility to an age of accountability. This legislation also ensured that students with disabilities have access to the general curriculum to the maximum extent appropriate, which has influenced educators toward including more students with disabilities in the general education environment. With the increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities (LD) educated in the general education environment, educators face the challenge of providing these students opportunities to access the general curriculum, while ensuring that they receive FAPE. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the teaching practices of special and general educators in the planning, instruction, classroom management, progress monitoring, clinical assistance, and caring of students with LD in inclusive instructional settings to examine how they are aligning their practices to ensure FAPE for these students. Data were collected through a qualitative design, using focus group methodology. A total of 3 special educator and 3 general educator focus groups were conducted for data collection. Major findings that emerged included (a) the absence of common planning time, (b) the use of whole group instruction rather specialized instruction, (c) the unshared responsibility of classroom management, (d) the limited time dedicated to monitoring the learning and academic progress of students with LD, (e) the controversy surrounding adjusting instruction for students with LD, and (f) the importance of teachers showing students with LD that they care about them and their success. Data revealed that the practices of special and general educators align only in the areas of classroom management, particularly in providing classroom routines, and caring. In all other areas, not only do their practices not align, emphasis placed on each area varies within and between special and general educator focus groups. / Ed. D.

Although there has been a phenomenal growth in the utilization of paraprofessionals in inclusive classrooms in recent years, few researchers have addressed key issues surrounding role changes. A review of the literature indicated a need for additional research in the areas of efficacy of utilization, identification of task assignments, and development of training programs for teachers and paraprofessionals. Often special education and general education teachers are given the responsibility of determining what tasks will be performed by paraprofessionals without receiving guidelines or supervisory training. The purposes of this project were to determine what factors influenced the decisions made about task assignments for paraprofessionals and to ascertain what training programs would be appropriate and helpful. Subjects included in this study were the special education teachers, general education teachers, and paraprofessionals serving students in five, elementary inclusive classes in three school divisions in Virginia. Two observations were conducted in each class to identify the tasks performed by paraprofessionals. The general education teachers, the special education teachers, and the paraprofessionals working in each selected class were interviewed for information about their perceptions of paraprofessional task assignments. Other characteristics that might influence decision-making were examined by collecting demographic information on background, education, and training. Tasks performed by paraprofessionals were categorized by using a competency level checklist adapted from a list developed by Pickett (1994). Competency levels were : Level I (Teacher Aide), Level II (Instructional Assistant), and Level III (Assistant Teacher). Observations conducted in the three school divisions revealed that paraprofessionals usually performed Level II tasks. These tasks involved providing assistance with mobility issues, self-help needs, on task behavior, and assisting with individual programs of study. During the interviews paraprofessionals stated that they did not receive credit for their abilities nor did they receive personal respect. Both teachers and paraprofessionals expressed a desire for more collaborative planning time; paraprofessionals desired more specific training, especially on medical and legal issues. / Ph. D.

Considering the significance of integrating students with disabilities into general education classes in Mississippi, it is critical to identify the methods by which co-teachers report working together, whether they have obtained the needed professional development, and which teaching model they employ in the inclusion classroom. This data can facilitate the assessment and efficacy of inclusive practices and offer valuable insights into potential areas requiring enhancement. Furthermore, by gaining insight into the experiences of co-teachers, future training initiatives and assistance for educators in advocating for the effective integration of students with disabilities can be enhanced. The purpose of this research was to determine the manner in which inclusion general and special education teachers in Mississippi public schools collaborate, whether they have participated in professional development, and which instructional approach they employ in the inclusion classroom. A mixed methodologies research study was conducted utilizing a SurveyMonkey survey. The frequencies and percentages of the responses to the multiple-choice questions were determined via quantitative analysis. To ascertain codes and themes, open-ended responses were subjected to qualitative analysis. The study's findings offered valuable insights into how inclusion instructors in Mississippi recount their experiences in an inclusion classroom.

Thesis advisor: Deborah Piatelli / This study contributes to the growing literature on the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion efforts in organizations. Previous studies focus on D&I efforts for full-time staff and employees. This qualitative and intersectional study examined first-generation black students in corporatized organizations that are predominantly white through interviews where they could share their experiences with organizational structures and cultures to determine the impact that it has on the performance and identity of black interns. This study assessed organizational cultures of three kinds: exclusive, transitional, and inclusive. Using these organizational cultures, the study determined the way that racism and whiteness culture affects the intern experience. The participants had various relationships with recruitment strategies, diversity discussions, navigating professional and personal networking, negotiating working identity and imposter syndrome, stereotype threat, microaggressions, and professional development. Overall, organizations are engaging in practices that alienate and suppress black student interns while encouraging assimilation. In inclusive organizations, black interns feel like they can be their authentic selves and progress more successfully because of the acceptance of their identity and their ability to share their experiences with that identity. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: . / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Sociology.

xv, 241 p. : ill., map. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Inclusive education is now accepted worldwide as the best educational practice for children with special needs, but there is still considerable debate about how best to implement inclusion in specific cultures. The purpose of this research study was to develop a model of inclusion that is appropriate for elementary schools in Thailand and to identify appropriate leadership roles in adoption of inclusion practices. This research study was divided into two phases. The first phase consisted of an extensive review of inclusion practice and research findings around the world and development of a best practices inclusion model to guide subsequent interviews. Ten best practices inclusive elementary school principals were interviewed, and observations were conducted in classrooms and surrounding school environments. The phase one findings were then used to create a draft model for Thai inclusive education. In the second phase of research, two focus groups, made up of ten nationally recognized experts in the area of Thai special education, were used. The participants assisted with refinement of the best practices model for Thai elementary schools. Findings included identification of three critical aspects that affect the adoption of inclusion practices: specific characteristics of Thai society and culture; current policy and practices related to current policy; and financing of inclusion. School principals were found to be essential to successful inclusion adoption. Recommendations are made for changes in practice and policy and for future research. The final conclusion drawn from this study was that, even though Thailand had made a great beginning to a monumental and honorable task, the idea of inclusive education is still in early development. The core findings of the research study argue that, while more steps needs to be taken as implementation of inclusion continues, the principals, teachers, parents, education experts, and the people of Thailand have the commitment and strength of determination to make inclusion an integrated part of Thai education. / Committee in Charge: Diane Dunlap, Chairperson, Educational Leadership; Deborah Olson, Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Kathleen Scalise, Member, Educational Leadership; Kathie Carpenter, Outside Member, International Studies

No description available.

The focus of this research is the extension of topological operators with the addition of a inclusion measure. This extension is carried out in both crisp and fuzzy topological spaces. The mathematical properties of the new operators are discussed and compared with traditional operators. Ignoring small errors due to imperfections and noise in digital images is the main motivation in introducing the proposed operators. To show the effectiveness of the new operators, we demonstrate their utility in image database classification and shape classification. Each image (shape) category is modeled with a topological space and the interior of the query image is obtained with respect to different topologies. This novel way of looking at the image categories and classifying a query image shows some promising results. Moreover, the proposed interior and closure operators with inclusion degree is utilized in mathematical morphology area. The morphological operators with inclusion degree outperform traditional morphology in noise removal and edge detection in a noisy environment

The focus of this research is the extension of topological operators with the addition of a inclusion measure. This extension is carried out in both crisp and fuzzy topological spaces. The mathematical properties of the new operators are discussed and compared with traditional operators. Ignoring small errors due to imperfections and noise in digital images is the main motivation in introducing the proposed operators. To show the effectiveness of the new operators, we demonstrate their utility in image database classification and shape classification. Each image (shape) category is modeled with a topological space and the interior of the query image is obtained with respect to different topologies. This novel way of looking at the image categories and classifying a query image shows some promising results. Moreover, the proposed interior and closure operators with inclusion degree is utilized in mathematical morphology area. The morphological operators with inclusion degree outperform traditional morphology in noise removal and edge detection in a noisy environment

No description available.