Date Approved

8-18-2009

Embargo Period

3-18-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Special Education

Department

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

College

College of Education

Advisor

Kuder, Jay

Subject(s)

Learning disabled teenagers--New Jersey; Special education--New Jersey

Disciplines

Special Education and Teaching

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Fast ForWord program (FFW) on attention for students with learning and behavior problems, compared to two other reading programs (Achieve 3000 computerized reading program and a traditional reading program). Improvements in attention skills were observed and compared following a 30-minute, 5 day-a-week schedule. The three programs were implemented within the curriculum in a middle school setting for a 40 day period. The design was a single group study conducted within a single school in the Gloucester County Special Services District. The study participants were 12 seventh through ninth-grade students attending Bankbridge Regional School in Sewell, New Jersey, during 2008-2009. An attention rubric was used to determine off-task behaviors, as well as, on-task behaviors, during all three programs and then compared at the end of a 40 day period. On average, students made significant improvements in attention skills, while on the FFW program, compared to the traditional reading program. The FFW program had only a slight improvement, on attention skills, compared to the Achieve 3000 computerized, reading program.

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