Date Approved

5-10-2002

Embargo Period

5-18-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Special Education

Department

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

College

College of Education

Advisor

Xin, Joy F.

Subject(s)

First grade (Education); Left- and right-handedness

Disciplines

Special Education and Teaching

Abstract

The purpose of this study was: (a) to investigate the distribution of handedness between T-1 students over the past five years compared to their same-age peers; (b) to investigate the distribution of handedness between T-1 boys, same-age boys, T-1 girls, and same-age girls; (c) to examine the kindergarten teachers' attitudes toward left-handed students; (d) to determine which, if any, instructional and classroom modifications the kindergarten teachers used.

One hundred and twenty-two elementary school children and five kindergarten teachers from a large suburban school district located in the northeastern United States participated in the study. The students completed an 8-item questionnaire and the teachers completed a 21-item questionnaire designed for this study. Data was collected and analyzed. Percentages, means, standard deviations, and ranges were computed.

The data showed that T-1 boys and girls had a higher incidence of left-handedness compared to their same-age peers. It was also found that the teachers "almost never" used classroom accommodations/modifications for left-handed students.

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