5,507 results on '"individual needs"'
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2. Needs and Preferences of REB Members in the Development of a New TCPS 2 Training Program in Canada
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Jiale Xie, Denise Stockley, Amber Hastings Truelove, Susan Marlin, Rachel Zand, Jennifer Payne, Miranda Miller, and Eleftherios Soleas
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Despite advancements in human research ethics and the growing significance of Research Ethics Board (REB) members, educational opportunities specifically tailored to their needs remain lacking in many countries. In response to this gap, our research aims to understand the demographics, needs, and preferences for educational opportunities of REB members in Canada. We conducted a survey that found REB demographics to be diverse and have different perceptions of their roles on topics such as the evaluation of the scientific merit of studies and responsibilities to stakeholders. We found that REB members in general prefer online tutorials and webinars for their education. Educators interested in facilitating the development of future training programs should consider the needs and preferences of REB members outlined in this publication.
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- 2024
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3. A Randomised Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Parent-Based Models of Language Intervention for 2- to 3-Year-Old Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) in Areas of Social Disadvantage
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Deborah Gibbard, Sue Roulstone, Ngianga II Kandala (Shadrack), Lydia Morgan, Sam Harding, Clare Smith, and Chris Markham
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Background: Early language delay is exacerbated by social disadvantage. Factors such as parents' low levels of literacy, confidence and self-perception can affect the capacity to act on advice received, critical to empowerment. Methods used to achieve successful health outcomes in socially disadvantaged clinical populations may need enhancing. Aims: To compare the impact of standard parent-based intervention (PBI) to enhanced PBI for young children with speech, language and communication needs (SCLN) and their families living in more socially disadvantaged populations. Methods and Procedures: A multicentre clustered blind randomised controlled trial was used to compare the effect of parent-based group interventions to improve early language development with children (mean age 27.5 months) from more socially disadvantaged populations with an expressive vocabulary of 40 or less single words. Intervention sessions were delivered by a speech and language therapist, over a 20-week period. Participants received one of two interventions: (1) Standard Care - indirect group PBI - (PBI); (2) Enhanced Care: indirect group enhanced PBI - (EPBI). Both standardised and non-standardised measures were used as outcomes. Parent engagement in the intervention was captured through analysis of attendance and the Parent Activation Measure - Speech & Language Therapy (PAM-SLT) (Insignia Health, 2014). The PAM measures a person's knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their own health and well-being (NHS England, 2018). In this study, activation referred to parents' knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their child's language development. Outcomes and Results: One hundred fifty-five participants were randomised at baseline. Children in both groups made significant improvements in the outcome on MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories Sentence Length, from pre-intervention to post-intervention and 6 months post-intervention (p < 0.05). Changes in vocabulary and expressive language skills were more equivocal, showing wide variation in confidence intervals for both groups. Where parents attended at least one intervention session almost all effect sizes were in favour of the EPBI intervention. Parents' activation levels significantly increased for both groups (EPBI p < 0.001, PBI p = 0.003), with a moderate effect size in favour of EPBI (Hedges' G 0.37, confidence interval -0.02 to 0.76), although wide variation was found. Conclusions and Implications: This trial provides some evidence of facilitating the language development of children with SLCN from more socially disadvantaged areas through supporting caregivers. However, we found variation in outcomes; some children made excellent progress, whilst others did not. Further exploration of parent engagement and its relationship to child language outcomes will be valuable to understanding more about mechanisms of change in interventions that involve parents.
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- 2024
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4. Studying Online with Special Needs: A Student Perspective
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Maria Öhrstedt, Annika Käck, Helena Reierstam, and Gebrenegus Ghilagaber
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As diversity is increasing in higher education, the number of students with disabilities (SWD) grows. In parallel, technological development and online education change the conditions for teaching and learning. Previous research indicates that the digitalisation provides both challenges and opportunities for equal participation. This study explores the experiences of SWD in online higher education, using the Communities of Inquiry model as a theoretical framework. A questionnaire with 6256 students (430 SWD) examines the differences and similarities between SWD and other students in online courses. The results show that SWD are a heterogeneous group with diverse needs and preferences, and that online education can offer both advantages and disadvantages for them. The main advantages are using technology to compensate for disabilities, enabling more equal participation, and the flexibility and convenience of online courses. The main challenges are difficulties in planning and self-regulation, decreased motivation and increased stress, perceived uncertainties about examination requirements and proceedings and the unfulfilled need for interactive environments and feedback. The importance of faculty-student relationships is highlighted, and the significance of clarity and accessibility, feedback and interaction and flexibility and variation in creating inclusive online courses is emphasised. Implications for policy and practice are suggested.
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- 2024
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5. Challenges in Care and Service Provision for Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Age-Related Conditions in Ireland
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Fintan Sheerin, Sandra Fleming, Peter May, Philip McCallion, Mary McCarron, Amara Naseer, Georgia Lalor, and Maureen D'Eath
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Background: People with intellectual disabilities are living longer and are increasingly diverse, with health and care needs that are varied and complex. Without changes to funding, services have found it difficult to respond to needs and wishes. Method: A descriptive mixed methods design study, data were collected through questionnaire, focus groups and individual interviews from intellectual disability service managers, direct care staff and older people with intellectual disabilities and family members. Results: Continued reticence on the part of some community healthcare providers to treat people with intellectual disability was noted. Although some service innovations were noted, housing, staffing levels, staff mix and the timely provision of equipment were all reported to impact the ability of services to respond to changing needs. Current per-capita funding practices were reported as unresponsive to growing age-related complexity and fundamentally unsustainable. Conclusions: The health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual disabilities are compounded as they age with complex age-related health needs. There is an urgent need for revision of the service model in Ireland and instigation of flexible and responsive approaches to funding.
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- 2024
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6. The Social, Psychological, and Physical Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions for Institutionalized Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
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F. Bösebeck, H. Worthmann, C. Möller, and C. Konrad
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, drastic measures to interrupt SARS-CoV-2 infection chains were implemented. In our study we investigated the consequences of pandemic related restrictions on the social, psychological, and physical well-being of institutionalized adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Methods: Online survey among professional caregivers in 71 residential groups, caring for 848 residents. Findings: (i.) A lack of participation concerning infection protection measures of the residents, their relatives, and their caregivers; (ii.) A 20% increase in doctor contacts during the pandemic; (iii.) A considerable deterioration in at least one item of the subdomains mood (49%), everyday skills (51%), social interaction (29%), exercise and coordination skills (12%), behavior (11%) and cognition and communication (7%); (iv.) A deterioration of the overall condition in 41%; Summary: Intensive attempts should be made to find individual and less categorical contra-infectious measures without questioning the basic everyday needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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- 2024
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7. The Effects of Lockdown of Work and Activities for Adults with Multiple, Complex Needs Including Sensory Impairments during the Pandemic in 2020
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Trine Lise Bakken and Bodil Ellingsen
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Sheltered work and leisure activities were locked down in at the Signo centre in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Signo centre is a Norwegian national centre for adults with multiple, complex needs, including severe sensory loss/impairments. Tension and uncertainty rapidly spread among relatives and workers. To explore the impacts of the pandemic on residents, 24 adults living in Signo Vivo answered a semi-structured interview together with their primary worker. Additionally, reports on staff injuries and PRN medication between April and Aug of 2020 were compared to the period before the lockdown. The reports from the interviews included fewer stressful events for the participants, more rest and sleep, more time spent in their own apartments, and more time with smaller groups of workers. The reports on staff injuries and PRN medication showed decreased occurrence.
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- 2024
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8. Universal Design for Learning and Writing Centres in South African Higher Education
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Désireé Eva Moodley
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Could a transformative, inclusive and emancipatory educational framework like the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) advance academic success for all? Could racism and dis/ableism be dismantled through such an emerging educational trend that offers a redefinition of dis/ability abolishing oppressive pedagogical practices that perpetuate constructed views of special needs, often negatively correlated with racial and intellectual superiority? Could such a framework that foregrounds physical, cognitive and linguistic injustices advance achievement beyond merely meeting academic literacy standards within higher education settings like writing centres in a post-COVID 21st-century South Africa? These critical questions are some of the tensions raised in this paper proposing a compelling, yet controversial attempt at advancing student learning and achievement within an expanded definition of disability offered by the UDL framework developed by Rose and Meyer at the Center for Applied Special Technology at Harvard University. While COVID-19 centred around a pandemic, this global catastrophe accelerated the technological thrust into virtual and blended learning mediums of learning and engagement. Yet, given the technological explosion of the mid- and late 20th century, in many ways education have headed towards this direction. Now more than ever, the awareness of the Universal Design for Learning within the role of the writing centre and academic literacy is especially critical, given the drive for technologically driven approaches to address issues of social justice. This paper seeks to understand the obstacles and opportunities of the UDL framework within the role of writing centres in post-COVID 21st-century South African higher education. Through professional insights as a qualified practising writing consultant both locally in South Africa and in the United States, this reflective critique on the emerging vociferous dialogue around the adoption of the Universal Design for Learning framework at higher education institutions in South Africa, and its implications for the role of the writing centre, are based on this author's pragmatic, commonplace experiences as well as research studies conducted on UDL and the Harvard Review. It is hoped that this reflective paper may make visible some of the inherent juxtapositions Universal Design for Learning may hold for meeting individual students' learning needs principled on its universal approach to learning success for all, affording opportunities for further research and critique.
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- 2024
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9. Experiences and Perceived Benefits of a Youth Skateboarding Program in South Africa: From the Physical to Emotional and Beyond
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Katherine Sorsdahl, Thandi Davies, Charl Jensel, Dallas Oberholzer, Lillian Gelberg, and Claire van der Westhuizen
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This study aimed to assess the mental health needs and risk behaviors of adolescents attending an afterschool life-skills skateboarding program, to evaluate the perceived benefits of the program, and to identify potential modifications required to meet the identified needs. Program participants were from three gang- and poverty-affected urban communities in Cape Town, South Africa. Seventy-six adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years old (83% male) completed a self-report survey, and 24 adolescents and 19 key influencers participated in in-depth interviews and focus groups. Descriptive analyses were conducted on survey data and a framework approach was used to analyze qualitative data. 72% of the adolescents reported symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, 66% had experienced food insecurity, 45% had been physically abused at home, 47% had been bullied, and 59% had used alcohol. Benefits of the program included experiencing a sense of belonging to a skateboarding subculture, protection from gang recruitment and community violence, physical and emotional benefits of exercise, mentors as positive role models, and learning life skills. Recommendations to improve the program were to include information on depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and grief, and to include stress management and emotion regulation skills.
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- 2024
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10. Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Italian Version of the Paediatric Eating Assessment Tool (I-Pedi-Eat-10) in Genetic Syndromes
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Roberta Onesimo, Elisabetta Sforza, Elizabeth Katherine Anna Triumbari, Francesco Proli, Chiara Leoni, Valentina Giorgio, Donato Rigante, Valentina Trevisan, Cristina De Rose, Eliza Maria Kuczynska, Antonella Cerchiari, Marika Pane, Eugenio Mercuri, Peter Belafsky, and Giuseppe Zampino
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Background: The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PEDI-EAT-10) is a reliable and valid tool for rapid identification of dysphagia in patients aged 18 months to 18 years. Aims: To translate and adapt the PEDI-EAT-10 into the Italian language and evaluate its validity and reliability. Methods & Procedures: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the tool consisted of five stages: initial translation, synthesis of the translations, back translation, expert committee evaluation and test of the prefinal version. The internal consistency of the translated tool was analysed in a clinical group composed of 200 patients with special healthcare needs aged between 18 months and 18 years. They were consecutively enrolled at the Rare Disease Unit, Paediatrics Department, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome. For test-retest reliability, 50 caregivers filled in the PEDI-EAT-10 questionnaire for a second time after a 2-week period. Construct validity was established by comparing data obtained from patients with data from healthy participants (n = 200). The study was approved by the local ethics committee. Outcomes & Results: Psychometric data obtained from patients (104 M; mean age = 8.08 ± 4.85 years; median age = 7 years) showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's a = 0.89) and test-retest reliability (Pearson r = 0.99; Spearman r = 0.96). A total of 30% of children were classified as having a high risk of penetration/aspiration. The Italian PEDI-EAT-10 mean total score of the clinical group was significantly different from that resulting from healthy participants. Conclusions & Implications: The PEDI-EAT-10 was successfully translated into Italian, validated and found to be a reliable one-page rapid screening tool to identify dysphagia in children and adolescents with special needs.
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- 2024
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11. Does Differentiated Instruction Affect Learning Outcome? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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Muh. Asriadi AM, Samsul Hadi, Edi Istiyono, and Heri Retnawati
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In an era of increasingly diverse education, the need to understand the effectiveness of differential instruction on learning outcomes is critical in creating inclusive and student-centered learning experiences. This study aims to comprehensively review the effectiveness of differentiated instruction on student learning outcomes and investigate what moderator variables contribute significantly to the effect of implementing differentiated instruction on student learning outcomes. The study was a systematic review and meta-analysis that utilized 49 primary studies, from which 63 effect sizes were extracted. It was found that there was a significant (gRE = 1.109, p < 0.01) of the application of differential instruction on student learning outcomes compared to learning in the control group. When measured from the aspect of the measured ability, subjects, grade level, sample size, and index type, there was no significant difference in effect size. However, there was a significant difference in effect size when viewed from the country's perspective. It was concluded that differential instruction is an appropriate learner strategy used to improve the quality of learning at all levels. However, it is prudent to acknowledge that the effectiveness of implementing differentiated instruction is intrinsically intertwined with the specific context and educational milieu of a given country. This study provides a nuanced understanding that while differentiated instruction holds universal promise, its optimal outcomes are sensitive to contextual influences.
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- 2023
12. Going beyond 'I'm a Coach': Adopting a Caregiver Coaching Framework in EI
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Crystal S. Williams and Grace E. Sawyer
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Caregiver coaching is a mutually beneficial practice used by early interventionists (EIs) to build caregivers' confidence and capacities to support their children, which, in turn, leads to EIs gaining knowledge from families and developing new skills (e.g., Douglas et al., 2020; Meadan et al., 2020). Coaches (i.e., EIs) help others (i.e., caregivers) learn to (a) reflect on their actions and (b) create plans to improve their actions (Rush & Shelden, 2020b). EIs who use a coaching framework primarily interact with caregivers, while the caregivers' role is to work directly with their children. This service delivery model differs from traditional services, in which the primary interactions are between EIs and children, with caregivers mainly assuming the role of observer (Campbell & Sawyer, 2007). In this article, we provide guidance for adopting a coaching framework and cover the following topics: (a) rationale for using a caregiver coaching framework; (b) what coaching frameworks exist; (c) considerations when choosing a framework; and (d) how to individualize coaching for families.
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- 2024
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13. Scripting Solutions for the Future: The OECD's Advocacy of Happiness and Well-Being
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Min Ji Kim
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Over the past decade, the OECD has gradually shifted its governing mechanism from promoting 'best practices' based on comparative data on pupils' cognitive skills to actively advocating for individual and collective well-being as an "alternative" and "ideal future." This article focuses on the OECD's use of 'techno-scientific fictive scripts' as a strategy to promote happiness and well-being as solutions to anticipated crises, despite their conceptual ambiguity and token usage. It analyses how the OECD's recent 'Future of Education' projects have sought to steer its audience towards shared concerns and expectations of the future, while simultaneously asserting its technical expertise in future studies methodologies. It argues that by returning from endorsing data-driven policies to making futuristic claims using future studies methodologies, the OECD endeavours to redefine itself as both a pathfinder and a problem solver, simultaneously blending its human capital imperatives with technological inevitability in its vision of the future.
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- 2024
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14. 'I Need a Grant but Spend Time on Teaching': How Academics in Different Positions Play Out the Teaching-Research Nexus in Interdependence with Their Contexts
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Kasja Weenink, Noelle Aarts, and Sandra Jacobs
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The teaching-research nexus is omnipresent in academic professional life. How it is articulated depends on specific situations, contexts, and academic hierarchies. Initiatives to change the nexus in Dutch research universities are now informing European policy processes, but how academics in different positions play it out and deal with various contextual aspects is understudied. In this study, Wittgenstein's notion of language games is combined with Elias' notion of human figurations to assess articulations and interdependencies in the nexus. We analysed tensions and strategies in ten homogeneous focus group discussions with assistant, associate, and full professors across social sciences in The Netherlands. All academics identified tensions regarding the balancing of research and teaching and a systemic undervaluation of teaching, yet their games differed. Assistant professors experienced personal insecurities, whereas associate professors faced further differentiation of tasks, and full professors dealt with responsibilities concerning group performance and market-driven demands in both domains. In some figurations, research and teaching were balanced at team level. Paradoxically, all academics' strategies tended to reproduce and strengthen patterns that exist at collective level, including tensions.
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- 2024
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15. WYO PETe and WAHPERD: Origin, Development, and Successes of a Great Western Alliance
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Ben D. Kern, Paul R. Malinowski, and Deb Stephenson
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This article describes a successful Wyoming partnership recently developed between the long-standing Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (WAHPERD) and the newly founded Wyoming Physical Education Teaching (WYO PETe) Collaborative. The organization leaders engaged in extended discussion about how this multi-sector partnership could collaborate to offer Wyoming physical educators a range of professional development (PD) opportunities that meets their individual needs and the unique barriers they face. The decision to combine efforts resulted in WAHPERD and WYO PETe expanding PD opportunities at state convention and throughout the year. The partnership also saw multiple inservice physical educators joining with university faculty and graduate students to form a WAHPERD Advocacy Committee to survey Wyoming physical education and physical activity policy implementation and develop advocacy tools and guidance documents for teachers to use in their districts. The partnership also led to an annual WAHPERD hosted student event called Healthy Kids Roundup that empowers middle school students and their teachers to promote health and wellness in their schools.
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- 2024
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16. Significant Others' Perspectives on Experiences of Meal-Oriented Support and Diet Counselling for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Who Live in Supported Housing
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Päivi Adolfsson, Õie Umb Carlsson, and Pia Ek
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The quality of meal-oriented support for people with intellectual disabilities is important for their health. The aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of meal-oriented support and diet counselling for adults with intellectual disabilities living in supported housing, from the perspective of housing staff and mothers. Five focus group interviews, including nine supporting staff members and nine mothers, were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Five themes appeared; Extensive needs of the individual, Staff skills determine the food intake, Informal caregivers make up for shortage of support, Effective collaboration with a registered dietitian is needed and Responsibility of the organization state that professionalization of staff is needed. Lacking resources, such as time and nutritional knowledge, insufficient considerations of individual needs, and high staff turnover influence the meal-orientated services negatively. This study brings to the fore, staff working practices and the complexity of providing meal-oriented support for people with intellectual disabilities. Staff need skills to perform individually tailored support. This is best accomplished through effective collaboration between housing staff and relatives underpinned by knowledge from a registered dietitian. The working practices must be structured at the organizational level of the services.
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- 2024
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17. Training and Supporting Early Childhood Providers in Inclusive Settings
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Kimberly Bennett
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Early childhood providers care for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and special needs in their programs and classrooms. This study addressed the problem that there is insufficient professional development (PD) training for early childhood providers working with infants and toddlers with special needs in inclusive settings. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to understand what training early childhood providers report they have had, and what training early childhood providers perceive that they need to support infants and toddlers with special needs in inclusive settings. Using the whole teacher approach as the conceptual framework, the research questions explored participants' PD experiences and PD needs. Data were collected via semistructured interviews of six participants who met the criteria of (a) being Early childhood providers, (b) having experience with children with special needs, and (c) participating in inclusive PD for this student population. Data analysis involved the use of a priori and open coding to identify codes, categories, and themes. The emergent six themes were (a) format of PD; (b) collaboration with families and colleagues; (c) influence of PD on beliefs and self-confidence; (d) ongoing, systemic content related to special needs; (e) supervision and systems of collegial collaboration; and (f) factors affecting adoption of new practices. The findings of this study may contribute to positive social change by informing education stakeholders of the PD and support needs for early childhood providers thereby strengthening knowledge and skills to enhance instruction and support for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families. [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.]
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- 2024
18. How College Culture Shapes the Experiences of Students with Food Insecurity
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Rachel Pridgen and Gudrun Nyunt
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Food insecurity is more prevalent on college campuses than within the general population. This qualitative case study explored the ways in which the small liberal arts context shapes food insecure students' experiences. Based on interviews with students and members of an emergency funding committee, and document analysis, we found that the liberal arts context created additional barriers for students with food insecurity, but also provided unique opportunities for the mitigation of food insecurity on campus.
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- 2024
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19. A Comparison of the Sensory Needs of Autistic Adults with and without Intellectual Disabilities: A Short Report
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Jill Bradshaw, Jane Pringle, Damian Milton, and Julie Beadle-Brown
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Background: Autistic people commonly report differing sensory experiences. This research aimed to find out about sensory issues and the sensory environments of autistic adults who did and did not have intellectual disabilities. Method: Online questionnaires were designed to identify sensory needs. The survey was completed by 138 autistic adults who self-reported and 58 informants reporting about autistic adults who had intellectual disabilities. Results: Autistic adults self-reported high numbers of sensory needs compared with informant reports of the needs of autistic adults who had intellectual disabilities. Interpretation: It is possible that informants under-reported issues for autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. Some sensory needs are harder to observe and people with intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to communicate such needs. Conclusion: The authors propose that better methods of supporting communication of "harder to observe" sensory needs should be developed. Further research is needed.
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- 2024
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20. Customizing Professional Development Opportunities to Teachers' Needs: Results from a Latent Profile Analysis
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Sofia A. Agathangelou, Heather C. Hill, and Charalambos Y. Charalambous
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A key lever for improving instructional quality centers on providing teachers with professional development (PD) opportunities customized to their instructional needs. To examine whether teacher evaluation reforms led such PD opportunities, we explored the extent to which teachers received PD based on their instructional profiles. To do so, we conducted a latent profile analysis of data from upper-elementary teachers to develop profiles of teachers based on the instructional quality of their lessons. Three profiles emerged from this analysis, with the first two corresponding to strong and weak performance, respectively, in both the content-generic and the content-specific teaching aspects, and the third corresponding to strong performance in generic aspects and weak in content-specific aspects. After validating these profiles, we regressed profile membership on PD received and found that the former did not predict the latter. This nonsignificant finding has implications for rendering current PD efforts more customized to teachers' instructional needs.
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- 2024
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21. The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Participation of Children with Special Needs
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Sedef Sahin, Ramazan Sahin, Özgün Kaya Kara, Hasan Galipoglu, and Barkin Köse
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The objective of this study is to investigate the environmental factors such as supports and barriers that have been faced by those children with SLD between the before and after COVID-19 lockdown and their involvement, participation frequency and desire for change. The participation features as well as the environmental factors at home, school and community settings of these children (n: 61; mean age: 9.37 ± 1.50 year) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were assessed by using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) instrument via Internet access. The differences in participation frequency, involvement, desire for change, and environmental factors (supports and barriers) for school and community settings between the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were found to be p < 0.01. There were no statistical differences at home settings in terms of participation frequency and supports (p > 0.05). This study provides information about the participation levels of children with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the environmental factors faced by these children. The results are expected to contribute to the rehabilitation program that may improve the participation levels of children with special needs, and determine where greater efforts are needed to support so as to raise their participation levels and improve environmental features after the quarantine process.
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- 2024
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22. Dignity-Affirming Care in Research-Practice Partnerships
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Robbin Riedy and William R. Penuel
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Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) have the potential to affirm the dignity of participants through caring interactions, which support good relationships. A key ethical principle to guide the cultivation of good relationships in an RPP is a quality of relating that we call "dignity-affirming care." We define dignity-affirming care as speech, actions, and dispositions that demonstrate concern for another and their expressed needs and goals in a manner that affirms their essential worth or value. We provide evidence that RPPs can embody the principle of dignity-affirming care while also noting some ways partners experienced ways of relating that did not reflect this kind of care. Further, we describe four underlying mechanisms that support care: the intensity of and concentration of relationships, a willingness to recognize social identities, and the ability to take on new roles.
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- 2024
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23. A Dilemmatic Space: A Qualitative Study about Teachers' Agency Working with Early Identification of Special Needs
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Kristin Westerholm and Henrik Lindqvist
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The present study focuses on challenges to the work of teachers as a result of a Swedish educational reform that mandates schools guarantee pupils receive early learning support concerning reading, writing, and number sense. The outcome of reforms is connected to how teachers achieve agency in their work , and we use the ecological model of teacher agency as an overarching theoretical framework and analytical dimension. The study involved interviews with 14 teachers, and the focus was on a) how teachers identify pupils in need of support and how this support is carried out, (b) how teachers would like this identification to be carried out, and how teachers would like to support pupils with weak number sense. Teachers described a 'dilemmatic space' (cf. Fransson and Grannäs 2013), which affects how they achieved agency in developing pupils' number sense. The dilemmatic space described by teachers in this study is framed by necessary priorities pertaining to the cultural, structural, and material conditions of the current situation. According to the study's results, whether teachers should perform the assessment merits discussion. The study concludes there is a risk that conducting assessments and offering support risks cancelling each other out.
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- 2024
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24. Parenting While in College: Racial Disparities in Basic Needs Insecurity during the Pandemic
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Temple University, Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, Kienzl, Gregory, Hu, Pei, Caccavella, Ali, and Goldrick-Rab, Sara
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Roughly one-in-five college students provide primary care to at least one child while pursuing a higher education credential. Yet parenting students remain an often-overlooked group and continue to receive inadequate support. They experience basic needs insecurity at alarming rates, reducing their odds of completing valuable degrees. Shortages on food and safe housing disproportionately affect single parents of young children, Asian, Black and Latinx parenting students, and Black fathers working toward their degrees. Current programs intended to support parenting students do not reach enough of them. This brief reveals four untold lessons affecting parenting students, drawing on a nationwide survey of college students fielded fall 2020 and completed by 32,560 students who are parents. Actionable recommendations for policymakers and campus leaders to alleviate systemic barriers and better support parenting students follow the brief.
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- 2022
25. Self-Identity Is a Function of a Good Motivational Model
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Silitshena, Petty
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In this article, I argue for the position that self-identity is a function of a good motivational model. Employee motivational models have a bearing on organisational performance and growth. While I am aware that various motivational models influence employee performance in the workplace, my view is that not enough education has been provided for employees to understand how their performance can be further enhanced. This article therefore presents propositions of a self-identity motivational model as a theoretical model. The propositions were developed from a study that adopted a pragmatic paradigm and a mixed methods research approach and a case study research design. The main purpose of the study was to investigate employees' perceptions of their motivational models at selected government primary teacher-education colleges in Zimbabwe. Convenience and purposive sampling methods were used in selecting three primary teacher-education colleges and eleven lecturers. For triangulation purposes, document analysis, open-ended questionnaire, reflective journals, semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussion were used as data generation/production instruments. Emails and zoom platform were used since the study was carried out during COVID-19 era. Data that were gathered were analysed through guided analysis and a thematic approach. Furthermore, in order to ensure trustworthiness, issues of dependability, confirmability, credibility and transferability were considered in this study. In addition, ethical issues were employed, such as use of consent letters, anonymity and withdrawals. The study concluded that, employees ought to develop self-identity that would help them to become self-actualised; and become permanently motivated even beyond the workplace.
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- 2022
26. Individual-Level Strategies: Interrupting Bullying & Harassment in Schools -- Toolkit
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Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), Brion-Meisels, Gretchen, O'Neil, Eliza, and Bishop, Sarah
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Although universal prevention is critical to the prevention of bullying and harassment, certain students may need additional, targeted supports to reduce the likelihood of harmful interactions and to moderate the harm done when such interactions occur. This report offers strategies to help support students who are directly involved with bullying behaviors and may need targeted, responsive strategies. In addition, it provides some specific ideas for how to support protected groups or students who are more likely to be targeted due to some aspect of their identity. This includes students with aspects of identity protected under federal civil rights policies and legislation, such as LGBTQ students, gender nonconforming (GNC) students and undocumented students.
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- 2022
27. Implementing Individual Career and Academic Plans at Scale
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Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work, Education Strategy Group (ESG), and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs) are a key piece of connected career advising that align learners' career and life goals with academic, postsecondary and career pathway options. ICAPs have different names in different states, including Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs). They refer to both the process of engaging in individualized academic and career development activities as well as the product: a living, usually online, portfolio that is created by each learner and regularly updated as they advance through school and transition into the workforce. This brief highlights promising practices for ICAP implementation at the state and local levels in Colorado, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin and provides recommendations for further state and local work to scale ICAPs. It was developed through JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s "New Skills ready network," a partnership of Advance CTE and Education Strategy Group.
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- 2021
28. 'You Had This Clean Window, but It Was Glued Shut': Identifying the Needs of Parents and Providers of Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Rural Areas through a Life Course Perspective
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Sandra B. Vanegas, Yue Xu, Sandy Magaña, and Tamar Heller
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Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has found significant disparities in access to services and outcomes in rural communities. Little is known about service providers and families of children with ASD who reside in rural communities. The purpose of this study was to learn and describe the barriers and unmet needs experienced by parents and providers providing support to children with ASD in rural communities through a life course perspective. Eight parents and eight service providers participated in the focus groups from rural counties in Illinois, United States. Parents discussed barriers to accessing and coordinating services, from ASD diagnosis to transition and future planning. Overall themes highlighted the scarcity of qualified professionals trained to work with and serve children and youth with ASD and the resourcefulness caregivers and providers need to fill the gaps in education, health care, transition, and future planning. We present recommendations shared by parents and providers on ways to improve access to services and support for families in rural areas. The current study reports important implications for policy and practice regarding services and support for families of children and youth with ASD residing in rural communities.
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- 2023
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29. Examining the Factors Affecting the Selection of the Recreation Activity Type of University Students
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Dalbudak, Ibrahim, Çelik, Serkan, and Balyan, Melih
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This research was conducted to determine the recreational activity choices of the students studying at various faculties of the university. The main purpose of this study is to determine the factors that affect the selection of recreational activity of university students. A total of 156 students, 98 female and 58 male, studying at various faculties in Izmir Universities, participated in the survey. As the data collection tool, "Personal Information Form" and the scale made by Arslan (2010 and 2012) to measure the factors affecting the selection of the recreational activity type were used. The data obtained were analyzed by using the SPSS 23 program. "T-test", "ANOVA" and "Tukey post hoc" tests were used to obtain statistical results. "Guidance" subdimension mean score values and "general scale" mean score values were higher in women than men (p<0.05). "Personal suitability" and "environment" sub-dimension mean score values of individuals with an income of 1000 TL and below are higher than individuals with higher income (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed only in the mean scores of the "guidance" subdimension according to the educational background of the mothers of the individuals (p<0.05). When the mean score values of "personal suitability", "guidance" sub-dimension and "general scale" were examined, it was concluded that the mean score values of individuals whose fathers are primary and high school graduates were higher than those whose fathers were bachelor and master graduates (p<0.05). Mean scores of "personal suitability", "environment" sub-dimensions and "general scale" were higher in individuals whose family with an income of 1001 - 2000 TL per month, that is, the lowest income group (p<0.05). When we look at the "guidance", "environment" sub-dimensions and the general scale, it was concluded that the mean score values of individuals who think that games are a little effective in activities are higher than the mean score values of individuals who think that games in activities are very effective (p<0.05). The opinions of the individuals about "in which faculty the recreation department should be" do not make a difference on the mean score values of the "general scale" and its sub-dimensions. According to the type of recreational activity that individuals do in their leisure time, the mean score values of the "general scale" and its sub-dimensions do not show a significant difference (p>0.05). As a result of the findings, when the factors that affect the selection of the recreational activity type of the students were examined, it was found that the highest factor was "ageappropriateness". The statement with the lowest mean in the scale is "healthy life programs on TV". In addition, it was concluded that the most effective factors in individuals' choices on the recreational activities were that the activities were personally suitable for them and the environment was also suitable.
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- 2021
30. The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Children Aged 11-14 Years in Turkey
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Erçevik, Aysegül and Mukba, Gamze
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To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many countries imposed curfews, suspended classes, and switched to distance learning applications. In line with these developments, this study explored the daily life experiences, thoughts and feelings, support needs, and metaphors about staying home during this time of children aged 11-14 years in Turkey. The phenomenological method, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. Categories and themes were formed from the data obtained through interviews with a total of 14 children, eight male and six female, from different cities in Turkey using an online application during April and May 2020. The themes formed from the children's statements were "daily life experience during the Corona period", "thoughts and feelings about staying home", "support needs" and "metaphors about the pandemic process". Children indicated academic and leisure activities for their daily life on Corona days. They indicated that they felt it was necessary to stay home, but feelings such as longing, anxiety, and fear were intense, and some of the children needed emotional, academic, and economic support. In assessing their metaphors, the categories of space, animal, property, and situation, and these metaphors the children emphasized staying at home involuntarily, protection from the illness, and sedentary life.
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- 2021
31. Virtual Faculty Strategies for Supporting Motivation of Online Doctoral Students
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Jameson, Crissie M., Torres, Kelly M., and Mohammed, Shereeza F.
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Our study focused on online faculty members and their perceptions of the strategies and activities they use to promote progress for and motivation in their online graduate students, particularly at the dissertation/doctoral study phase of the program. Results show high-achieving faculty members vary their strategies according to each students' needs. High-achieving faculty members reach out to students often, offer encouragement throughout the process, and establish realistic goals.
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- 2021
32. Investigation of Verbs Used by Pre-Service Primary School Teachers in the Context of Hierarchy of Needs with the SOM-Ward Method
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Yazar, Ilyas, Hazar, Dilek, Kesan, Cenk, and Özer, Mehmet
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The current study examines the verbs used by pre-service primary school teachers in everyday language in the context of the hierarchy of needs using the SOM-Ward clustering method. The study group of this survey research consists of 271 pre-service primary school teachers studying at a public university in Turkey. In this research, pre-service primary school teachers were asked to list the most 10 frequently used verbs in everyday language. Descriptive analysis was conducted by coding the verbs according to the themes of the hierarchy of needs. The intercoders reliability was calculated as 96 percent. The mean ranks were calculated on the data obtained according to this coding. Through the SOM-Ward clustering analysis, it was observed that the pre-service primary school teachers were separated into four clusters. Although not hierarchic, the C1 cluster is compatible in terms of basic needs; biological and physiological needs were preferred, and then the personal preferences of individuals were prioritized in determining the needs. Individual preferences prevent the hierarchical approach in determining the needs of the C2-C3-C4 clusters; it was seen that the love, safety and the aesthetic needs of those who formed these clusters are far greater than their basic needs. This reveals that there may be greater and higher priority life needs than biological and physiological needs in an individual. In addition, it was determined that the needs of esteem and superiority shown in the pyramid did not play a decisive role in the clusters since they did not make a significant impact.
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- 2021
33. Wraparound Services Needs Assessment: District-Wide Needs Assessment Findings, Fall 2019
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Rice University, Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), Stroub, K., Yin, M., and Cigarroa Kennedy, C.
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The Wraparound Services Department connects students and their families with non-academic community resources that support the students' ability to learn in school. The district currently partners with over 200 community organizations to offer wraparound services across 210 campuses. Wraparound Services Specialists in these campuses work with various organizations to address student and family needs within the domains of mental and physical health, food and housing insecurity, home and neighborhood safety, and out-of-school educational needs. With support from the Houston Endowment and the City of Houston, Houston Independent School District (HISD) has recently committed to expanding its Wraparound Services Program. Dubbed the "Supporting Students, Uplifting Communities" initiative, HISD seeks to increase the number of Wraparound Services Specialists from 210 to 280, ensuring that every campus in the district has at least one dedicated full-time specialist by the 2021-22 school year. Additionally, to better align the services that wraparound specialists have available to them with student and family needs, the district created and administered the first annual Needs Assessment Survey in Fall 2019. The survey was administered to students, parents, and teachers at existing wraparound campuses. In total, 51,769 students, 5,305 parents, and 4,698 teachers completed the survey. The survey asked respondents to identify non-academic needs across five key domains: (1) health, dental, and hygiene needs; (2) emotional and psychological needs; (3) home and family needs; (4) educational and vocational needs; and (5) social and recreational needs. The purpose of this brief is to provide an overview of the key areas of need that students, parents, and teachers reported across the five survey domains. In this brief, survey findings are reported for the district overall. [For related reports see "Wraparound Services Needs Assessment: Campus Needs Assessment Findings, Fall 2019 Survey" (ED611195) and "Wraparound Needs in HISD: Findings from the District's 2019 Needs Assessment Survey" (ED611190).]
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- 2021
34. Wraparound Needs in HISD: Findings from the District's 2019 Needs Assessment Survey
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Rice University, Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), Stroub, Kori, Yin, Ming, and Cigarroa Kennedy, Camila
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This brief summarizes key findings from the first annual Needs Assessment Survey created and administered by the Houston Independent School District (HISD). In the fall 2019, HISD's Wraparound Services Department designed and administered the Needs Assessment Survey to all students, parents, and teachers on the 146 campuses that offered wraparound services in the district. This document summarizes findings from two research briefs created by HERC for HISD. Findings from the survey indicate that families could use additional support in four key areas: (1) healthcare; (2) mental health; (3) housing and food security; and (4) school supplies. [For related reports see, "Wraparound Services Needs Assessment: Campus Needs Assessment Findings, Fall 2019 Survey" (ED611195) and "Wraparound Services Needs Assessment: District-Wide Needs Assessment Findings, Fall 2019" (ED611196).]
- Published
- 2021
35. Life Journey through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood. 2nd Edition
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Organization for Autism Research (OAR), Ha, Kimberly, Ziegert, Amanda, Gorman, Margaret, Hochberg, Melissa, Morrison, Alisa, Nowell, Sallie, and Ramminger, Tabitha
- Abstract
The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults and their transition team to create a solid transition plan that leads to success. It is the goal of this guide to support families with this process. This guide is written for parents and guardians of autistic individuals who are preparing to transition into adulthood. This guide is divided into seven chapters: (1) Agency Help/Legal Information; (2) Transition Plan; (3) Student-Centered Transition Planning; (4) Vocation and Employment; (5) Postsecondary Education; (6) Life Skills; and (7) Looking Ahead. [This report received support from the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States and Lori Lapin Jones PLLC. For the first edition, see ED508625.]
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- 2021
36. Teachers Enacting Complementation and Compensation in a Practice under Strain -- Policy and Practice in Swedish School-Age EduCare
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Lager, Karin and Gustafsson-Nyckel, Jan
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The aim of this study is to explore the way teachers enact policy regarding the tasks of complementation and compensation in Swedish School-Age Educare. As a result of numerous policy changes, school-age educare as an institution has undergone significant and substantial changes in terms of its social mandate, educational objectives, and content. In this paper, we investigate how these policy changes have transformed the everyday practice for staff working in these settings. We base our analysis on policy enactment theory, focusing on the way policy is transformed into practice. The research material consists of group interviews with 53 staff members interviewed in twelve focus groups, representing twelve different settings. The results highlight that enacting policy in Swedish school-age educare involves multiple interpretations of these concepts, being constrained by materiality in several ways, representing a mix of discourses in both policy and practice regarding the tasks of complementation and compensation.
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- 2021
37. The Perspective of Administrators of Intellectual Disability Organizations on the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Hughes, M. Courtney, Gray, Jennifer A., and Kim, Jinsook
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Objective: To learn about the challenges, policies, and needed resources to serve people with intellectual disability and protect staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the perspective of intellectual disability service providers. Methods: We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 16 intellectual disability organization administrators throughout Illinois, USA from November 2020 through February 2021. We coded and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) COVID-19 caused considerable challenges to people with intellectual disability and staff and service providers, (2) intellectual disability organizations reinvented service provisions in response to COVID-19 challenges, and (3) the interrelatedness of intellectual disability organizations, public policies, and community entities became evident. Conclusions: Exhibiting responsiveness to needs and developing innovative solutions were strategies championed by intellectual disability organizations during the pandemic. Fostering collaboration with community entities may assist these organizations in navigating pandemic challenges and developing resilient infrastructure for future environmental threats.
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- 2023
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38. Response to Intervention Services for Preschool Children with Developmental Language Disorder: Opinions of School and Health Care Service Professionals and Managers
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Ross-Lévesque, Élody, Careau, Emmanuelle, and Desmarais, Chantal
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Background: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) are less prepared for school than typically developing children and are therefore at risk for academic, social, and behavioral difficulties when they enter school. To support these children, early family-centered intervention is recommended. However, access to effective care remains an issue. Researchers have therefore suggested to reconsider the place of individual specialized intervention within a broader systemic response to intervention (RTI) framework. The aim of this study is to explore the opinions of professionals and managers working with children aged 0-5 with language difficulties on strategies to better support their school readiness. Specifically, it explores the facilitators and barriers to school readiness in children with DLD as well as strategies to better prepare them for school. Finally, it examines how an RTI model can provide a framework for services to preschool children with DLD. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 15 professionals and managers in the health care and school systems in the province of Quebec (Canada). The interviews were analyzed using an analytical questioning strategy. Results: Five key elements in service delivery were deemed essential in supporting school readiness of children with language difficulties: (1) maximizing community initiatives, (2) training and supporting partners, (3) supporting change in practice, (4) offering flexible services adapted to children's needs, and (5) implementing mechanisms to ensure service continuity and information transfer between agencies. These key elements are conceptualized within the RTI model. Conclusion: The five key elements identified in this study should be part of an intervention model in order to optimize service organization and better support school readiness for children with DLD.
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- 2023
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39. To Be Black, to Be Male, to Teach: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Black Male Elementary Teachers
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David M. McGuire
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Black males are underrepresented in the teaching profession at all levels, but especially at the elementary level. The low number of Black male teachers can be attributed to low salary, low regard for the profession, perception of being work for women, and lack of respect. Now more than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial unrest during the summer of 2020 the experiences of Black male teachers is important to explore. This qualitative study looked at the experiences of seven Black male elementary teachers, using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a theoretical framework. Through one-on-one virtual interviews seven themes emerged: physiological needs focus on salary and benefits, safety needs pertain to job security, physical safety, and emotional security, sense of belonging is often a struggle, esteem is often low, self-actualization manifests a strong desire to make a difference, COVID-19 influenced teachers' experiences, and turnover and recruitment challenges for Black men in elementary education. Recommendations for future research included studying Black male teachers who spent their entire careers at the elementary level then retired. [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.]
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- 2023
40. Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Italian Version of the Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale in a Special Healthcare Needs Population
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Sforza, Elisabetta, Onesimo, Roberta, Triumbari, Elizabeth Katherine, Leoni, Chiara, Giorgio, Valentina, Rigante, Donato, Proli, Francesco, Kuczynska, Eliza Maria, Ramsay, Maria, and Zampino, Giuseppe
- Abstract
Background: The Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH-FS) allows paediatricians and other health care professionals to identify feeding difficulties among children. Aim: To translate and adapt the MCH-FS into Italian, and to evaluate the validity and reliability of this Italian version of the Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale (I-MCH-FS). Methods & Procedures: A total of 150 children with special healthcare needs were admitted to the Rare Disease Unit of the Paediatrics Department at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy, between March 2021 and March 2022 (74 males; mean age = 3.85 ± 1.96 years; median age = 4 years; age range = 6 months-6 years and 11 months) and 150 healthy participants (83 males; mean age = 3.5 ± 1.98 years; median age = 3 years; age range = 6 months-6 years and 11 months) were included in the study, which was approved by the local ethics committee. The original version of the MCH-FS was translated and cross-cultural adapted through five stages: (1) initial translation, (2) synthesis of the translations, (3) back translation, (4) expert committee and (5) test of the prefinal version. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were assessed using Pearson r, Spearman r and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Construct validity was established by comparing data obtained from patients with those of healthy participants using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Outcomes & Results: A Pearson "r" of 0.98, a Spearman "r" of 0.95 and Cronbach's alpha value of 0.86 were obtained. In the clinical group, 40.6% children were classified as having feeding disorders (n = 61), while in the normative group 4.7% were diagnosed with feeding problems (n = 7). Mean total score of the clinical group was significatively different from the normative's. Conclusions & Implications: The I-MCH-FS is a valid and reliable one-page, quick screening tool used to identify feeding disorders among children with special needs in outpatient paediatric setting.
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- 2023
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41. Getting a Good Night's Sleep: Sleep Problems, Their Etiology, and Potential Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Autism
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Cann, Nicola
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Historically sleep was considered a passive activity, but research now strongly suggests that it is a time of neurological growth, where memories and skills are consolidated (Fallone et al., 2002). Good sleep is thought to influence cognitive, physical and emotional performance, and aid in effective emotional regulation (Alfano & Gamble, 2009). Whilst sleep problems are relatively common amongst children and adolescents, with estimates varying between 11% and 47% (Russo et al., 2007), they are significantly more common in those with Autism (30% to 80%, Goldman et al. 2012; Hirata et al. 2016; Krakowiak et al. 2008). Research also suggests that without intervention these problems are likely to persist (Goldman et al. 2012; Hodge et al. 2013). Emerging research finds that autistic children and adolescents experience specific sleep difficulties that are unique to this group. As research on the etiology of sleep problems in autism develops we are refining our approaches to intervention to more effectively meet the needs of these children and young people and their families. This article summarises current research into the specific sleep needs of this group. It also considers the multifactorial etiology of sleep problems for this group, and evidence based interventions to date. The author argues that through increased awareness, professionals can do much to ameliorate challenges related to sleep, and improve family functioning and quality of life.
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- 2023
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42. Collaboration, Competition or Convergence? The Relationship between Professional and Continuing Education and Traditional Academic Programs
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American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), and Kilgore, Wendy
- Abstract
There are increasing opportunities for professional and continuing education, and traditional academic programs to work together to enhance learning mobility, improve college access for undergraduate-adult learners and support institution-wide learner success. However, to embrace those opportunities and for this to occur, the degree to which professional and continuing education, and traditional academic programs currently operate in collaboration or competition for students and/or institutional resources should be understood. As such, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) partnered on a survey of their respective undergraduate-serving institutional members in the United States. Data from this first-look 2023 benchmark survey describes a number of issues, challenges and opportunities that professional and continuing education (PCE) units face with academic registrars and others in central administration. Some framing questions for the survey included the following: (1) Does the institution have an administrative unit responsible for PCE?; (2) What type of alternative credentials are offered, and who is offering them?; and (3) What type of special-population programs are offered, and who offers them?
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- 2023
43. 'No One Knows Where We Fit in Really': The Role of The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in Primary School Settings in Ireland -- The Case for a Distributed Model of Leadership to Support Inclusion
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Miriam Colum and Gerry Mac Ruairc
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This article examines the role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in primary schools in Ireland, an area that is under researched with little or no empirical data available. The current qualitative study, congruent with an interpretivist paradigm, provides narratives from four SENCOs offering insight into both the operational and leadership role of the SENCO in Irish primary schools, focusing mainly on the latter as a distributed model approach. The findings indicate that this sample of SENCOs may be constructed as 'apparatuses of knowledge' (Foucault 1980) within five broad areas of responsibilities: (1) identifying children with additional needs and administrating assessments, (2) fostering in-school collaboration and supporting others, (3) determining and monitoring resource allocation, (4) providing staff development and (5) liaising with external agencies. Emerging from the findings is a reinforcement of the value of the SENCO as a leader through a distribution of power situating them as forward thinking and proactive. Despite this, there is a reluctance in assuming the position of a SENCO due to the heavy workloads and lack of recognition of the administration and coordination duties. This research calls for a consideration of the SENCO position in national policy with both monetary and leadership titled recognition for the role.
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- 2023
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44. Understanding Barriers to High School Graduation among Former Foster Children: A Phenomenological Narrative Study
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Rachelle Rene Joseph-Beafneaux
- Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological narrative study was to explore why many aged-out foster youth from the Texas and Louisiana foster care system do not complete a high school diploma. The researcher conducted eight interviews with participants who had been in the foster care systems of these states for at least five years. The interviews were conducted either on Zoom or face-to-face and focused on participants perceptions of how their basic needs impacted the participant's educational journey, perceptions of how belonging and self-esteem impacted their education, and how trauma impacted their desire for self-fulfillment and reaching their goals. The researcher discovered in the data that each participant had experienced trauma that exposed them to foster care, and each experienced further trauma during their time in the foster care system. These experiences had an impact on their basic needs, self- esteem, and motivation to graduate high school. The most common wounds they experienced were abandonment, low self-esteem, and feeling unloved. The findings show the importance of meeting the emotional and physiological needs of children in foster care. Caregivers, social workers, and schools should do what is necessary to meet children's basic needs of love, belonging, and safety. These factors play a significant role in the well-being and academic success of children in foster care. [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.]
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- 2023
45. Preparing Counselors to Meet the Needs of Transgender Clients
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Kristy Carangi
- Abstract
This exploratory quantitative study tests the effectiveness of a three-hour Transgender Training Intervention for increasing the gender identity competence of counselors and counselors-in-training. Participants (N = 4) were recruited online and completed the 20-item Counselor Competence Gender Identity Survey (CCGIS) before and after the virtual training intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that mean total CCGIS scores increased from 127.0 in the pretest to 138.75 in the posttest, a 9.25% increase. The largest gains were made on the Gaining Knowledge/Skills to Counsel Gender Diverse Individuals subscale (CCGIS-KS). Mean scores on the CCGIS-KS increased from 24.25 in the pretest to 32.0 in the posttest, a 31.96% increase. The study provides evidence that specialized training can increase the ability of counseling professionals to meet the needs of transgender clients. Counselors should seek such opportunities to better serve this highly marginalized population. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu). [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.]
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- 2023
46. Library and Information Science Research and Neurodiversity: So Much Potential if We'd Just Apply Ourselves
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Kelly M. Hoffman
- Abstract
Neurodivergent people consistently face less optimal outcomes than neurotypical people in education, their careers, and other areas of life. Anecdotally, personal knowledge management (PKM) is a useful tool for neurodivergent individuals. However, there is sparse research involving the information practices of neurodivergent adults in the field of library and information science (LIS). A survey with both close-ended and open-ended questions, partially based on Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology (Dervin, 1992, 2000), was distributed online and received over 300 self-identifying neurodivergent participants. The results indicated that neurodivergent people use PKM most heavily in the "Learning," "Job," and "Everyday" domains for the purposes of "Managing Tasks and Projects," "Building Knowledge," "Creating," and "Self-Improvement." Common PKM activities engaged included "Storing Information and Using It Later," "Remembering What Needs to be Done," "Understanding and Ideating," and "Planning and Prioritizing." The most helpful benefits of PKM that were described were "Connecting Ideas," "Improving Thinking," and "Having Fun." Overall, key themes regarding neurodivergent individuals' PKM usage included "Reducing Stress," "Memory," and "Externalizing." These findings provide a foundation for a much-needed LIS research agenda exploring the PKM practices of neurodivergent adults. [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.]
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- 2023
47. The Motivational Utility of Knowledge: Examining Fundamental Needs in the Context of Houselessness Knowledge
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Watanabe, Micah and McNamara, Danielle S.
- Abstract
Past research on knowledge has differentiated between dimensions (e.g., amount, accuracy, specificity, coherence) of knowledge. This paper introduces a novel dimension of knowledge, the Motivational Utility of Knowledge (MUK), that is based on fundamental human needs (e.g., physical safety, affiliation, actualization, reproduction). Adults in the United States (N = 190) were recruited from an online survey platform and paid for participation. Participants read a set of four texts arguing different views of houselessness and were administered a comprehension test after each text. Participants were asked about their conceptions of houselessness before and after reading. Finally, they were given the MUK scale, a demographics questionnaire, including questions about their personal experience with houselessness, and were administered a general prior knowledge test and a vocabulary knowledge test. We examined MUK, the factor structure of the scale and the relationship between MUK and other measures of knowledge. The analyses showed that the subscales of MUK loaded onto a single factor--an overall value of houselessness knowledge. In addition, we found that MUK was correlated with conceptions of houselessness and comprehension of texts on houselessness, indicating that the scale was valid. Overall, the findings demonstrate that MUK is an important dimension of knowledge to consider in learning tasks.
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- 2023
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48. Usage of Universal Design for Learning in Mathematic Course
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Yavuzarslan, Hamide and Arslan, Ali
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The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Universal Design for Learning on students' academic achievement and attitudes towards mathematics course, and to reveal the opinions of the students about Universal Design for Learning. In this study, the concurrent embedded strategy was used. The participants consisted of 33 primary school students from two different 4th grade classes at a primary school. In the quantitative part of the study, non-equivalent control groups design was utilized. Data were collected through an academic achievement test and an attitude scale. The findings indicated that Universal Design for Learning had a large effect on academic achievement and attitudes towards mathematics course. In the qualitative part of the study, case study was used and data were collected through a focus group interview. The students participating in the interview were identified with a maximum variation sampling method. The students stated that Universal Design for Learning improved their attention, interest, cooperation, and self-regulation skills. They also stated that Universal Design for Learning supported their retention of knowledge, multiple representations of knowledge, and active participation to lesson. As a result, Universal Design for Learning is thought to be one of the effective methods in mathematic courses and its use is recommended. This study was derived from the master's thesis named "The Effect of Universal Design for Learning on Students Academic Achievement and Attitude towards Mathematic Course".
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- 2020
49. COVID-19 Considerations for Reopening Schools: Supporting Student and Staff Wellness
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Kentucky Department of Education
- Abstract
While the usual transitional concerns will be present when schools reopen, it is anticipated that this fall's return to school will be particularly challenging. Teachers and administrators should operate on the assumption that everyone, (students, families and staff) will have experienced some degree of anxiety and stress, uncertainty, illness, grief and loss. Some will have been ill themselves, some will be grieving for a relative or friend who died, if not by illness, possibly from an accident or even suicide or violence. Some will have experienced hunger, abuse, neglect, evictions, domestic violence and/or community violence. For some students, the experience of social distancing and being home during COVID-19 will have been traumatic. Schools will likely see an increased number of learning, behavioral and emotional problems, from more students. For those who already have emotional and behavioral challenges, these could be exacerbated. Existing disparities also will be more pronounced. Stressors from the transition back are likely to intensify and may impact learning and teaching. This guidance document addresses planning considerations for the social and emotional wellbeing of students and staff during the transition when schools reopen. [This guidance is an adaptation from Volume 25 of the UCLA School Mental Health Project. For "Restructuring Education Support Services and Integrating Community Resources: Beyond the Full Service School Model", see EJ590904.]
- Published
- 2020
50. Community-Care Strategies for Schools during the Coronavirus Crisis: Practical Tips for School Staff and Administrators. Crisis Response Resource
- Author
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WestEd and Betz, Jenny
- Abstract
During the coronavirus pandemic, schools must find remote ways to continue providing learning and enrichment opportunities for students while also remaining committed to the social and emotional needs of entire school communities. As community members focus on sheltering in place and social distancing, they lose in-person connections and take on added stresses. These changes can greatly increase the need for community care (also known as collective care). Schools are uniquely positioned to help members of their communities, particularly those who may need additional support, to maintain a sense of connectedness and well-being. In this context, this brief, produced by WestEd as part of a collection of Crisis Response Resources, offers practical guidance for educators and school leaders to help them care for their school communities and maintain a sense of connectedness and well-being while coping with the stresses of social isolation, school closures, and changes to how services are provided. The brief includes sections on maintaining community and connectedness for staff, students, and families, and on identifying those most in need of extra support. It also provides some brief "tech tips" for online community building. [This brief was prepared by the Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety at WestEd.]
- Published
- 2020
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