The Effect of Classroom Audio Distribution Technology on the Number of Students in Special Education Programs

Purpose and Method of Study: The purpose of this causal-comparative quantitative study was to investigate the effect of classroom audio distribution (CAD) technology implementation on the percentage of elementary school students in special education as a potential strategy to improve the learning process for at-risk students. Fourteen K-5 and K-6 schools in Texas and Oklahoma were included in the final sample, having met the stated criteria which ensured CAD use in at least 75% of classrooms, with no significant demographic, curricula, or personnel change. Ex post facto data collected for each school included the annual number of students in special education and the total student enrollment count for six years (the three years prior to CAD use and the first three years of CAD use). The descriptive statistic used to describe the data was the measures of central tendency, which was used to calculate the mean percentage of students in special education for each school year for six years. The independent samples "t"-test was applied to test the first two null hypotheses of the study, which stated there would be no change in the mean percentage of students in special education before and after three years of CAD implementation. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences in the mean percentages of students in special education within the first three years of CAD implementation for both state samples. Findings and Conclusions: The null hypotheses for the whole sample and for the Oklahoma sample were not rejected but was rejected for the Texas sample. Although this study did not demonstrate significant differences in the mean percentage of students in special education from pre- to post-CAD implementation in the whole sample, there were significant differences in some of the schools. The results of the study indicated that CAD technology has the potential to improve the learning process for at-risk students. [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.]