Examining the Relationship between Fidelity of Implementation of Accommodations for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Mathematics and Student Achievement in High School Algebra I Inclusion Classes

Authors

Belinda Baptiste, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Major/Program

Exceptional Student Education

First Advisor's Name

Linda P. Blanton

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Peter Cistone

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Elizabeth Cramer

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Maria Fernandez

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fifth Advisor's Name

Haiying Long

Fifth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

fidelity of implementation, instructional accommodations, inclusion, general education classrooms, specific learning disabilities, Algebra I, mathematics accommodations, mathematics achievement, teacher implementation, high school

Date of Defense

3-22-2017

Abstract

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) are educated in general education classrooms. As a result, these students are faced with more challenging instructional curricula. Although some students with SLD perform as well in mathematics as students without disabilities, most perform below state standards despite being provided instructional and testing accommodations. Policy makers have envisioned the implementation of instructional accommodations as a primary means of ensuring an appropriate education (Mcleskey, Hoppey, Williamson & Rentz, 2004; Scalon & Baker, 2012) for students with disabilities in general education classrooms (Mc Guire, Scott, & Shaw, 2006). The researcher implemented a non-experimental ex post facto research design to investigate the research hypothesis to determine the relationship between the five most frequently used accommodations by general education teachers who teach students with SLD and student achievement in Algebra 1. At the beginning of the 2016 – 2017 school year, the collection of data began by emailing the Qualtrics Survey Software (V.23) to 185 general education mathematics teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Four main instructional accommodation constructs were assessed using a 15-item questionnaire. From the responses to the survey, the five of the most frequently used accommodations were determined. Nine general education Algebra 1 teachers from six high schools across the county who reported using similar accommodations and taught three or more students with SLD in mathematics participated in the study. The researcher and two peer researchers conducted in-class observations on the participants’ fidelity of implementation of accommodations (FOI) using a checklist during the period in which they taught students with SLD. An Algebra I test was used for pre- and post-testing to determine student mathematics achievement. The results of the survey indicated that teachers most frequently provided: (a) sample problems of varying levels, (b) guides or prompts or personal (teacher/peer) assistance, (c) extended access to instructional resources and equipment, (d) provided preferential seating and (e) additional time to complete assignment or class projects. Linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between teacher FOI of accommodations and student achievement (p < .05).

Identifier

FIDC001739

Recommended Citation

Baptiste, Belinda, "Examining the Relationship between Fidelity of Implementation of Accommodations for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities in Mathematics and Student Achievement in High School Algebra I Inclusion Classes" (2017). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3258.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3258