Date Approved
4-21-2002
Embargo Period
5-20-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Supervision and Curriculum Development
Department
Educational Services and Leadership
College
College of Education
Advisor
Johnson, Ted
Subject(s)
Behavior disorders in children; Learning disabled children--Study and teaching; Social skills--Study and teaching
Disciplines
Curriculum and Instruction
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a service learning project in raising the civic responsibility, social skills, and academic skills of special education students, while meeting the needs of homeless individuals living in Callalily County, New Jersey. Service learning provided an opportunity for student growth. Students learned to be dependable, solve problems, and learned cooperation and teamwork, while increasing their academic skills.
The study involved three classrooms of special education students: one elementary class of students with behavioral disabilities, one middle school class of students with behavioral disabilities, and one high school class of students with multiple disabilities. Pre and post surveys were given to the students to measure their attitudes toward community service, civic responsibility, and academic coursework. Results from the pre and post survey were compared to determine the effectiveness of the project. Qualitative data analysis was used to organize the information from both surveys into categories and data reduction was completed using a coding process. The report was descriptive in nature.
Major findings of the study concluded that service learning was a viable and useful educational method used to enhance and improve the civic, social, and academic skills of special education students.
Recommended Citation
White, Kathleen E., "Service learning – facilitating academic learning and development of social skills" (2002). Theses and Dissertations. 1533.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1533
