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Special education eligibilities after COVID-19
No full textOn March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 an official pandemic
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022a), immediately changing the structure of
education across the country as many schools closed to in-person learning, transitioning to
virtual platforms or shifting between in-person and virtual learning (Newsweek, 2020; UNICEF,
2021; Wyse et al., 2020). Understanding how students were impacted by lost instructional time
and exposure to trauma during COVID-19 is critical in the identification of students needing
special education. This study researched pre- and post-COVID-19 special education enrollment
for Dunn Schools1 in Indiana. This mixed-method, longitudinal study analyzed demographic
trends in special enrollment by race, sex, English proficiency, socio-economic status, and
academic achievement between 2017 through 2023 through a hierarchical regression analysis to
assess risk factors for special education enrollment. It further investigated changes in
administrators’ perceptions of the MTSS process and special education evaluation process preand
post-COVID-19. The quantitative study included students enrolled in grades kindergarten
through fifth who completed the NWEA winter benchmark exam. Increased risk for enrollment
in special education was found prior to COVID-19 for all areas of demographic analysis, with
specific risk noted for Asian students by sex, socio-economic status, English status, and
academic achievement. Hispanic ENL students were at increased risk, as well as black students
with lower academic achievement. It was noted that students with low socio-economic status
were not at increased risk based on academic achievement prior to COVID-1; however, after the
onset of Covid-19 increased risk was significant. Furthermore, all other risk areas remained
significant except for Asian students who no longer posed increased risk of enrollment based on
socio-economic status, English status, or academic achievement. Though significant, the
variation explained by the model was small and may not be educationally meaningful in
determining special education enrollment. The qualitative sample included interviews from 9
administers within the district who were actively involved in the MTSS and special education
evaluation process. Administrators included district leadership, MTSS coordinator, MTSS
coaches, and school psychologists. Common themes included declining student enrollment with
increased transiency and difficulty with attendance, declining academic achievement and school
readiness skills, and difficulty determining appropriate time to resume special education
eligibility especially with regards to consideration for academic achievement and lack of quality
instruction. Furthermore, even though socio-economic status within the district remained
relatively similar after COVID-19 as prior to, interviews expressed concern with changes in
socio-economic status and the impact on student performance. Recommendations were
suggested based on study results.D. Ed
Navigating the hidden curriculum: a study of resource-based and story-based interventions in higher education
No full textThis study examines the effectiveness of difference-education interventions in improving
academic outcomes for diverse students at a Minority Serving Institution. We examined the
impact of a difference education intervention with two key components. First, a resource focused
approach that disentangles the hidden rules of higher education. Second, a student driven
narrative-based approach (stories condition), featuring unscripted stories from peers who
successfully navigated an array set of challenges during college. The study involved 716 first
year students randomly assigned to intervention groups, with a campus-wide sample (N = 2,708)
as a comparison. Results showed significant improvements in Fall semester GP A and overall
retention rates for both intervention groups compared to the no-treatment condition.
Unexpectedly, first-generation students did not benefit more than their continuing-generation
peers from either intervention. These findings suggest that difference education interventions can effectively support diverse student populations in navigating the hidden curriculum of higher education, even in Minority Serving Institutions. The study highlights the potential of resource focusedand student narrative-based approaches in promoting academic success and retention among diverse student populations.M. S
The unseen community engagement professional: a heuristic inquiry of community engagement professionals at higher education associations
No full textThis heuristic phenomenological inquiry explores the lived experiences of individuals who self-identify as community engagement professionals but work outside higher education institutions, specifically at higher education associations. This study utilized Meyerson & Scully’s (1995) tempered radical’s framework coupled with the CEP boundary spanning behaviors construct (Sandmann et al., 2014; Weerts & Sandmann, 2010) to examine the experiences of six community engagement professionals. These individuals participated in a single 90-minute, semi-structured interview focused on the following research questions:
• What knowledge, skills, and experiences are relevant to the work of community engagement professionals.
• How did they find their professional pathway to their current position?
• What motivated them to pursue a position connected to the field of community engagement at their organization?
• Why do they continue to work as a community engagement professional at a nonhigher education institution?
The data analyzation followed a modified heuristic phenomenology process (Moustakas, 1990) guided by Cresswell and Poth’s (2013) data analysis spiral. Analysis revealed eight codes spread across three themes. The three central themes were: Tempered Radicals’ Mindset, Being a CEP, and Challenges Experienced. Some of the findings, such as their alignment with a tempered radicals positionality and affinity for people-centered work, are similar to their campus-based community engagement professional counterparts. Other aspects like their feelings of isolation and macro-level systems thinking, are unique to their context. This study is one of the first to focus on association-based community engagement professionals and the results provide a path to adult educators as to how they can further support these professionals. Targeted professional development opportunities for association-based community engagement professionals to develop strategic planning and systems level and change management skills has the potential to provide much needed growth. Communities of practice can support connection among this population. However, for long-lasting change to occur, greater research on this emerging population is needed.D.Ed
The effectiveness of biochar in agricultural amelioration of Martian soil stimulant: a driver for further implementations on Earth
No full textThe global population is continuously growing, which raises alarm for nutrition and food security. Understanding how to increase food production and efficiency in a sustainable method is becoming increasingly important. Visionaries and advocates of space exploration believe the solution is extraplanetary colonization. Martian soil has been studied for its viability to support agriculture and has been found to contain the essential nutrients needed for plants to grow. However, the concentrations of those essential nutrients in the Martian soil are not adequate to sustain crop yield for humans to survive. To overcome the Martian soil nutrient deficiency, soil amendments will be required for it to be capable of producing a sustainable yield for future colonists. Transporting enough food to Mars for an extended stay is impractical. Growing additional food after arriving on the planet will be necessary. The addition of biochar as an amelioration to the Martian soil may be a solution to the soil nutrient deficiency challenge facing successful crop growth by a future Martian colony. This study provides a possible solution, such as the use of biochar to reduce the need for fertilizer, as we continue to explore the possibility of settlement throughout the cosmos. Commercially available biochar, produced through incomplete burning in partial or total absence of oxygen, enhances nutrient retention due to its high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and high surface area. The application of biochar to the soil reduces nutrient leaching and increases productivity, crop yield, and soil microbial biomass. This dissertation examines the effects of biochar application on essential nutrient retention in Martian soil simulant, Mojave Mars Simulant 2 (MMS2). First, it starts by researching the history and characteristics of biochar through a literature review in chapter one, followed by a literature review on the properties of Martian soil in chapter two. Finally, two potted plant experiments were conducted using soybean plants planted in MMS2, with and without biochar and fertilizer in chapters three and four. It is hypothesized that the application of biochar will increase the benefit of fertilizer used with the simulant. The results of this study have shown that biochar has the ability to increase plant growth and crop yield, while enhancing nutrient retention in the soil and reducing the leaching of excess nutrients through watering.Ph.D
Examination of two early intervention screeners to predict identified disability by third grade
No full textSpecial education evaluation is a critical access point for the identification of students with a disability. However, it remains unclear which children will qualify for services in the educational setting under the requirements set forth in the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA, 2004). The current study uses a linear regression model and archival data to examine the relationship between scores obtained by students on the Preschool Language Scales, Fifth Edition (PLS-5) and Brigance Early Childhood Screener (BECS) during preschool and later special education eligibility status. The purpose of this study is to determine if the PLS-5 and BECS scores can predict future special education eligibility as defined by the IDEA(2004) and thereby provide a method for early identification of students needing academic intervention as soon as possible to prevent the need for future eligibility in special education. The participants were students from two public school districts in a county in Indiana who were initially evaluated with the PLS-5 and BECS by a licensed speech language pathologist and special education teacher during preschool and were subsequently re-evaluated by third grade by a licensed school psychologist using stateapproved testing procedures and special education eligibility standards.D.Ed
As they see me
No full textThe work that I created reflects the idea of self-doubt and how it affects how I see myself and interact with others. Using stoneware ceramic clay, I have created three sculptural ceramic vessels that convey self-doubt and how I have felt dealing with it, and how it has affected me. In this paper I talk about how I am influenced by artist like Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, and Jean-Michel Basquiat because of their use of self-expression in their artwork. Looking into each of these artists, I can see how they get their message across that they are wanting to convey to the viewer without taking away through personal work. I make art that is left for the viewer to be able to put themselves in the work, while these artists make work that personal that the viewer potentially relates to. I am also influenced by Ruberto Lugo and Michelle Ettrick because of their surface designs. Michelle Ettrick’s focuses mostly on drawing on the surface of her ceramic artworks such as plates and cups. Roberts Lugo uses graffiti and sculptural elements in his ceramic vessels. I will explain the creative process that I have gone through creating these sculptural ceramic vessels.B.A.School of Ar
Traumatic experiences impact perfectionism and coping in Nigerian adolescents
No full textThe effects of traumatic experiences on perfectionism and coping strategies in Nigerian adolescents were studied in this research. Adolescents (N = 74) from southwest Nigeria completed surveys about the frequency of various traumatic experiences, perfectionism, and coping mechanisms. Family trauma events significantly predicted concern over mistakes, but no link was found between any type of traumatic events and personal standards. Additionally, adolescents who experienced family trauma reported higher use of emotion-focused and avoidant coping strategies compared to those who did not experience such trauma. Adolescents who have gone through traumatic experiences within their families showed perfectionistic concern traits and adopted maladaptive coping strategies.M.S
Kourtney's world
No full textKourtney’s World explores narrative imagery on four different ceramic pinch bowls. The scale of the pinch bowls are 18 inches wide and 14 inches tall. The medium I work with is stoneware clay, large white construction paper (for linear drawing transfer process), and glazes. In Childhood (Joys of Being Young), I want to convey joy through playful/child-like linear paper transfer drawings craved with my needle and pencil tool. For Teenaged Trama vessel, I expressed on my past teenaged trauma tied with feelings of sadness and doubt. Gossip and the Feeling of Being Misunderstood explores pain during my adult years in church. I intend for the viewer to see the color purple as fear through figure’s facial features. I intend for Inner Child Healing to showcase how there is love and healing after all the pain and hurt I have been through. Warm yellow color choice allows the viewer to feel warmth, peace, joy, and even comfort by repeating the guardian angel drawing from Childhood: Joys of Being Young.B.F.A.School of Ar
MAYA
No full textMAYA, my Senior Show, consists of an acrylic triptych, a watercolor polyptych, and a stop motion animation. Each body of work explores “Maya” in a different way. My acrylic works are autobiographical while the watercolor projects are about Maya regarding the collective. There are only two ways to approach the work, from the collective to the individual or from the individual to the collective. Maya is my name, but it is also the Hindu belief that this 3D reality is an illusion, and that we are truly all extensions of the One.1 For my personal narrative, I am framed by two archetypal figures. They represent multiple things simultaneously but primarily are about how I have explored where I am at in this time of my life. My watercolor polyptych has LIFE and DEATH dancing around 49 individuals. This paired with the animation of all 50 cards is exploring our similarities and differences as people and the idea of creation.B.A.School of Ar
Integrated stadium
No full textTypical stadium design and programming are often driven by a singular event,
the game. This large development within the urban fabric is inaccessible for a
large amount of the year. An Integrated Stadium provides activities and spaces
that are accessible year-round for the urban community. These spaces support
both the users of the stadium and the site whether a game is taking place or not.
The integration blends the thresholds of the stadium, site, and surrounding city
which creates an inviting environment for everyone to enjoy. The site addresses
three different edge conditions, the city, a major highway, and river, all of which
provide unique interactions with the surrounding context. The stadium and
site are designed to be open, inviting, and respond to these edge conditions.
By creating a rich and active public amenity that addresses the problem
with current stadium design, an integrated stadium rethinks what these large
developments represent within a city. Stadiums are civic landmarks that act as
informal gathering spaces for the entire community not just the sports fan.Thesis (B. Arch.)College of Architecture and Plannin