Manipulatives are an effective mathematical tool to support students with disabilities in the area of mathematics. Yet, there remain inconsistencies in terms of which type -- concrete or virtual -- is more effective for students with disabilities working on algebra related content and which type is preferred by students. The researchers used an…

The current study examined the criterion validity of a computer adaptive universal screener with an end-of-year state mathematics assessment using extant data provided by a local education agency. Participants included 1,195 third through eighth graders. Correlational analyses were used to report predictive and concurrent validity coefficients for…

Focus groups were conducted with middle school general and special education teachers to investigate their perceptions of Response to Intervention (RTI) reading intervention. Three cross-cutting themes emerged through content analysis: (a) the exigency of professional development, (b) building capacity to implement in middle school, and (c)…

This study explored prior experiences that shaped literacy motivation beliefs among adolescents with learning disabilities (LD). Data included student and teacher interviews, teacher response scales, and classroom observations. Two cycles of analysis, using directed content and thematic approaches, resulted in findings that indicate two types of…

While curriculum-based measurement (CBM) tools for screening decisions in reading, mathematics, and written language have been well examined, tools for use in content areas (e.g., science and social studies) remain in the beginning stages of research. In this study, two alternate forms of a new CBM tool (Statement Verification for Science; SV-S),…

Federal regulations indicate that the achievement gap must be closed between subgroups, including the gap between special education and non-special education students. We explored the ways in which achievement trends are influenced by three methods of reporting (cross-sectional, cohort-static, and cohort-dynamic). We also investigated (a) the ways…

This study focuses on companionship, intimacy, and support of reciprocated friendships of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), students with motor and/or sensory disabilities, and typically developing students with their classmates at the start of mainstream secondary school. The study included 1379 typically developing students, 65…

A modified system of least intrusive prompting was used to teach middle school students with moderate intellectual disability who were emergent readers to comprehend short passages of text. Text passages were summaries of the chapters of age-appropriate novels rewritten for a beginning reading level. Time delay was used to teach the participants…

Impairments in social competence are core deficits for individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome (HFA/AS). As the incidence rate for these disorders continues to increase so does the urgency to identify evidence-based interventions that can remediate core deficits in order to provide these individuals with independence as…

Check In/Check Out (CICO) is a secondary tier intervention for those students who are not responsive to universal tier, school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports. The present study extended the implementation of CICO to six students with emotional and behavioral disorders in a residential facility whose behaviors were maintained…

The U.S. Department of Education released regulations governing the development of alternate assessments for students with persistent learning problems who are eligible for Modified Academic Achievement Standards (MAAS) in 2007. To date, state regular assessments or alternate assessments based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards have not…

This investigation compared the use of traditional instruction with that of classwide peer tutoring using materials containing embedded mnemonic strategies to provide strategic information and supplemental practice of important content. Eight inclusive seventh grade social studies classes with 186 students, of whom 42 were classified with mild…