Improving Performance in High School Algebra: What Students with Learning Disabilities are Saying

2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry J. Kortering ◽  
Laurie U. de Bettencourt ◽  
Patricia M. Braziel

Success in high school algebra is gaining increased importance for all students, including those identified as having learning disabilities (LD). Despite its importance, we know little about what students with and without LD say about their algebra classes. This study examined findings from a survey of 410 general education students and 46 peers with LD. The survey established data relative to the participants' favorite and least favorite classes, most difficult (and best) parts of algebra class, and ideas for helping more students to succeed. In addition, student participants reported whether selected interventions and accommodations were helpful.

Author(s):  
Roberta F. Schnorr

This study examined the meaning of “belonging” or membership in four secondary level general education classes. One or two students with moderate or severe disabilities were enrolled in each of these classes. Participant observations and interviews were used to gain an understanding of participation and membership from the perspectives of students without disabilities who attended these classes. Findings indicated that student membership depends on affiliation with a subgroup of peers within the class. General class participation and interactions influenced an individual's status within the group, but were not enough to create member status. General education students also reported taking active steps when they joined a class to get connected with a subgroup. In these classes, only two students with disabilities connected with subgroups and were, therefore, viewed as members. Considerations are offered for promoting classroom membership for students with moderate or severe disabilities.


1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Bursuck ◽  
Dennis D. Munk ◽  
Mary M. Olson

As more and more students with learning disabilities are being included in general education classes, concerns have arisen in regard to the low grades that these students are likely to receive. Although there is some evidence to suggest that teacher adaptations of grades are helpful, the extent to which teachers implement grading adaptations may be influenced at least in part by the teachers' perceived acceptability of the adaptations. One factor that may influence perceived teacher acceptability is student perceptions. Teachers may be unlikely to use adaptations that are perceived as negative by their students. The purpose of this study was to (a) assess high school students' perceptions of the fairness of grading adaptations, (b) identify factors (e.g., achievement level) that may influence perceptions of fairness, and (c) identify practices deemed most fair and acceptable to students with and without learning disabilities. This purpose was met by surveying and interviewing high school students with and without learning disabilities. The results of the surveys and interviews as well as their implications for grading students with learning disabilities in general education classes are discussed.


Author(s):  
Carolyn Harper Knox ◽  
Lynne Anderson-Inman ◽  
Fatima E. Terrazas-Arellanes ◽  
Emily D. Walden ◽  
Lisa A. Strycker ◽  
...  

The ability to conduct research is essential for meeting Common Core State Standards, for success in post-secondary education, and for access to many 21st-century careers. Although today's students increasingly turn to the Internet for information, they are often unprepared to engage effectively in academic research online. This article describes work at the University of Oregon's Center for Advanced Technology in Education in developing and testing nine Strategies for Online Academic Research (SOAR) designed for middle school students, with specific attention to the needs of students with learning disabilities. Included is information about the SOAR Student Toolkit, a multimedia website with step-by-step instructional modules for learning the nine strategies, as well as results from an evaluation in Connecticut. Results indicate that using the SOAR Student Toolkit improves online research performance for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade general education students and students with learning disabilities. Implications for future research are discussed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 96 (9) ◽  
pp. 622-624
Author(s):  
Marcee M. Steele ◽  
John W. Steele

In many states, students with learning disabilities are required to take algebra in high school. These students are usually served in inclusive settings (the general education classroom), where they often struggle with algebra because the content is so abstract. Although limited research and literature are available on algebra instruction for students with special needs, recognized strategies that promote students' learning can help make the algebra experience more enjoyable and successful for them and for the other students in the class, as well. This article highlights characteristics of students with learning disabilities, reviews current literature on algebra and students with learning disabilities, summarizes some of the recommendations, and describes how they can be put into practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105345122110326
Author(s):  
Tricia K. Strickland

The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) were released more than 10 years ago. This set of standards outlines the mathematics that all students should know and be able to do to prepare them for post-secondary education and employment. Students with learning disabilities (LD) continue to underperform in relation to their peers without disabilities in secondary mathematics. As high school Algebra I is a required course for the majority of students, research-based instructional practices should be utilized to support students with LD in Algebra I. This article summarizes recent research on instructional practices for teaching algebra content that aligns to the CCSSM. Specifically, three types of instructional practices have been found to promote progress in the high school algebra content: (a) concrete-representational-abstract integration, (b) virtual manipulative instruction, and (c) gestures and diagrams.


1996 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Sawyer ◽  
Janet S. Nelson ◽  
Madhavi Jayanthi ◽  
William D. Bursuck ◽  
Michael H. Epstein

This study examined the experiences and views of students with learning disabilities regarding the homework they receive in their general education classes and identified ways that teachers and parents might positively affect students' performance. Subjects were 10 high school students identified as having learning disabilities. Individual interviews were conducted to elicit information from each student. An analysis of the interviews resulted in the emergence of three themes: (a) factors that make homework easy, (b) factors that make homework difficult, and (c) recommendations for teachers, students, and parents. The results, limitations of the study, and future research needs are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roddy J. Theobald ◽  
Dan D. Goldhaber ◽  
Trevor M. Gratz ◽  
Kristian L. Holden

We used longitudinal data from Washington State to investigate the relationships among career and technical education (CTE) enrollment, inclusion in general education, and high school and postsecondary outcomes for students with learning disabilities. We replicated earlier findings that students with learning disabilities who were enrolled in a “concentration” of CTE courses had higher rates of employment after graduation than observably similar students with learning disabilities who were enrolled in fewer CTE courses. We also found that students with learning disabilities who spent more time in general education classrooms in high school had higher rates of on-time graduation, college attendance, and employment than observably similar students with learning disabilities who spent less time in general education classrooms in these grades.


2007 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Branch ◽  
Larry D. Hilgert ◽  
Blaine L. Browne ◽  
David M. Monetti

40 students ( M age = 13.5 yr., SD=1) from a rural south Georgia school system participated. 20 participants (11 boys, 9 girls) were receiving special education services for diagnosed learning disabilities, and 20 were general education students (10 boys, 10 girls). Students attempted to memorize a list of 15 words in 1 min., tried to recall the words, and then repeated the process for each of 10-word lists. As predicted, students with diagnosed learning disabilities recalled fewer words overall and fewer critical lures than did the general education students.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089590482110199
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Freeman ◽  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Jay Stratte Plasman

Recent educational policies in the United States have fostered the growth of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career-focused courses to support high school students’ persistence into these fields in college and beyond. As one key example, federal legislation has embedded new types of “applied STEM” (AS) courses into the career and technical education curriculum (CTE), which can help students persist in STEM through high school and college. Yet, little is known about the link between AS-CTE coursetaking and college STEM persistence for students with learning disabilities (LDs). Using a nationally representative data set, we found no evidence that earning more units of AS-CTE in high school influenced college enrollment patterns or major selection in non-AS STEM fields for students with LDs. That said, students with LDs who earned more units of AS-CTE in high school were more likely to seriously consider and ultimately declare AS-related STEM majors in college.


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