A Needs Assessment for Students with Disabilities in Alternative Schools.

Brief Biography

James Schwab, Mora Pressley, Zachary Johnson, Carrie Kane, Brandis Ansley, and Weke Andrews are all working toward their P.h.D for students with exceptionalities through the project LEADERS grant under the direction of Drs. David Houchins and Kris Varjas. Project LEADERS is housed in the Department of Educational Psychology, Special Education, and Communication Disorders at Georgia State University and stands for Leaders in Exceptionalities Alternative and Delinquency-related Environments through Research and Scholarship. The grant is funded through the Federal Department of Education, Office of Special Education under grant H325D110030. Project LEADERS research focus is for students in alternative school settings and is the merging of special education and mental health services. In collaboration with Derrick Gilchrist, director of the South Metro Georgia Network for Educational and therapeutic Support (GNETS), our goal is to improve academic and behavior services for students with disabilities in alternative school settings through rigorous research in both special education and mental health.

Highest Degree of Presenter(s)

James R. Schwab- Doctoral Student

Mora M. Pressley- Doctoral Student

Zachary G. Johnson- Doctoral Student

Carrie Kane- Doctoral Student

Brandis Ansley- Doctoral Student

Weke Andrews- Doctoral Student

Derrick Gilchrist- Ed.S

Kris Varjas- P.h.D

David E. Houchins- P. h.D

Presentation Abstract

This presentation will provide an overview of the findings of a needs assessment that was conducted in collaboration with the South Metro GNETS teachers and staff. For the qualitative part, data were analyzed using the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Results will highlight the academic and behavior challenges identified by school personnel. results will highlight the academic and behavior challenges identified by the school to providing effective academic instruction and behavior management. Major themes related to academics, behavior, and resources will be discussed as well as actions suggested by the staff on how to facilitate overcoming these challenges. Presenters will also facilitate a discussion among participants on other ways that the challenges may be addressed. For the quantitative portion, a survey was given for teachers and staff to provide input on behavior management, school safety, and job satisfaction. A MANOVA was performed to determine demographic differences in responses to a survey about school needs. Results will highlight demographic differences as well as implications for teachers and staff in alternative schools. This presentation will provide both the research team and school‘s perspective on how to improve the academic, behavior, and mental health services for students with disabilities in alternative schools.

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A Needs Assessment for Students with Disabilities in Alternative Schools.

This presentation will provide an overview of the findings of a needs assessment that was conducted in collaboration with the South Metro GNETS teachers and staff. For the qualitative part, data were analyzed using the constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Results will highlight the academic and behavior challenges identified by school personnel. results will highlight the academic and behavior challenges identified by the school to providing effective academic instruction and behavior management. Major themes related to academics, behavior, and resources will be discussed as well as actions suggested by the staff on how to facilitate overcoming these challenges. Presenters will also facilitate a discussion among participants on other ways that the challenges may be addressed. For the quantitative portion, a survey was given for teachers and staff to provide input on behavior management, school safety, and job satisfaction. A MANOVA was performed to determine demographic differences in responses to a survey about school needs. Results will highlight demographic differences as well as implications for teachers and staff in alternative schools. This presentation will provide both the research team and school‘s perspective on how to improve the academic, behavior, and mental health services for students with disabilities in alternative schools.