Date of Award

9-2009

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

John W. Hill

Second Advisor

Kay A. Keiser

Third Advisor

Neal F. Grandgenett

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of an in-class behavioral intervention plus differentiated instruction program on the achievement and behavior outcomes of 8th-grade students with verbally disruptive behavior and co-occurring below grade level reading test scores compared to 8th-grade students with verbally disruptive behavior and grade level reading test scores. Statistically significantly improved posttest reading vocabulary and reading total Normal Curve Equivalent scores and between class tardy frequencies supported the use of an in-class behavioral intervention program that allowed students with verbally disruptive behavior and co-occurring below grade level reading test scores to reclaim themselves after verbally disruptive behavioral incidences with scripted administrator assistance and student return to differentiated individualized instructional classroom activities. Posttest reading comprehension scores, Grade Point Average Scores, in-school suspension, and out of school suspension frequencies were also in the direction of improvement for these students. Students with verbally disruptive behavior and grade level reading test scores had a statistically improved posttest reading vocabulary score and statistically improved between class tardy and out of school suspension frequencies. Posttest-posttest between group comparisons indicated statistically significant reading vocabulary, reading comprehension, reading total, and Grade Point Average differences but no between class tardy, office referral, in-school suspension, or out of school suspension statistically significant differences. Educators should sustain programs that directly help students reclaim themselves after verbally disruptive escape responding incidences in support of their timely return to differentiated classroom activities. Overall, the results of this study suggest continued use of this intervention.

Comments

Department formerly called Educational Administration and Supervision.

A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College of the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Education In Educational Administration.

Copyright 2009 David R. Lavender.

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