Teaching Methods and Strategies Used in a Christian High School for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

The findings from the case study research demonstrated that the high school students at the Christian academy who have emotional and behavioral disorders are successful in teaching, retaining, and graduating this population of students. Their teaching methods and strategies included a strong biblical foundation to develop emotional and behavioral self-control and positive self-esteem, one-on-one instruction, academic freedom to vary the methods used, customized curriculum through individual academic assessments by the special education department, small teacher to student ratio, with one teacher for every eight students maximum, and close relationships with the students and their families. Through these strategies and methods, the students are able to successfully complete high school graduation at this academy through one of four diploma plans: Honors, College Preparatory, General/Basic, and Vocational (below grade level). Research has shown that the highest school dropout rates are those students with emotional and behavioral, and when entering high school they are approximately 3.5 grade levels behind. The National Dropout Statistics reported by the Institute of Education Sciences: National Center for Education Statistics stated that the 2008-2009 data showed that there were 420,000 students who had emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) who were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, and half of them dropped out of high school. This study looked closely at how the teaching methods and strategies used by a Christian academy affected successful high school graduation for this population of students with EBD. [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.]