ERIC Number: ED535199
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 133
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1095-4675-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of Executive Function Skills on Writing: A Comparison of Fifth-Grade Students with Learning Disabilities and Students with Typical Development
Nathan, Anne Michelle
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno
This study explored the relationship between verbal fluency skills and writing skills in developing writers. There were three research questions addressed: (1) Was there a difference between fifth-grade students who have a learning disability (LD) in written language and fifth-grade students with typical development (TD) on the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS; Delis, Kaplan, & Kramer, 2001) Verbal Fluency Tests (letter fluency, category fluency, category switching number correct, category switching accuracy)? (2) Was there a relationship between scores on the D-KEFS Verbal Fluency Tests and the composite writing score on the State Proficiency Examination Program (SPEP) Fifth-Grade Writing Assessment; (3) Do reading level and verbal fluency executive function skills predict the composite writing score on the SPEP Fifth-Grade Writing Assessment? Results showed that students with TD scored higher on the D-KEFS Verbal Fluency Tests than students with LD. For students with LD, letter fluency and category switching accuracy tests were significantly correlated with the composite writing score on the SPEP Fifth-Grade Writing Assessment. For students with TD, there were no statistically significant correlations between the D-KEFS tests and the composite writing score on the SPEP Fifth-Grade Writing Assessment. For students with LD, reading and the verbal fluency executive function skills predicted the composite writing score on the SPEP Fifth-Grade Writing Assessment. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Executive Function, Writing Skills, Written Language, Learning Disabilities, Grade 5, Elementary School Students, Writing Tests, Verbal Tests, Reading Achievement, Scores, Correlation, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A