Date Approved

5-2-2005

Embargo Period

4-12-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Dihoff, Roberta

Committee Member 1

Klanderman, John

Subject(s)

Special education; Teaching teams

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purposes of this experimental study were to (a) determine if teacher directed collaboration significantly reduced the number of students who were referred for special education placement and (b) if using a pre-referral process, such as consultation, increased the accuracy of teachers identifying children with a qualifying disability. One school that used teacher directed collaboration was compared to two schools that were not in a suburban Maryland community. Data was reviewed from each school on the number of children who were referred, assessed, and qualified for special educational services. Significant results were found using a Pearson Chi-Square (p<.01) for the amount of referrals made at each school, with the school using teacher directed collaboration having a fewer amount. The results of this study support the use of teacher directed collaboration. Further research should include a larger sample size and comparisons to referral rates prior to the introduction of teacher directed collaboration.

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