The individuals with the disabilities educational act - Essay Example

RESEARCH PROPOSAL Latest working draft Executive Summary of This research proposal would seek to examine educational services backed by law provided to youth diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders in both day and residential correctional facilities. Project Description The individuals with the disabilities educational act (IDEA 2004) provides children diagnosed with emotional and behavioral disorders educational opportunities by the federal government. These children do not always live in defined areas.

Some go to day schools and others live in correctional facilities. This study will first review laws governing and protecting the rights of a child with EBD to receive an education, and then comparisons will be made between national data on curriculum, instructional materials and standardized testing to those provided at day treatment/residential schools and juvenile correctional facilities in addition to a direct observation of local juvenile correctional facilities. Purpose of Study The main point of this study is to examine laws governing and protecting the rights of a child with EBD to receive an education and to bring attention to services currently being provided to those children.

A survey for secondary students in both residential and day correctional institutions (grades 7-12) will be conducted. The study will also address the concerns and opinions of parents, guardians, caretakers and all concerned with the care of children diagnosed with EBD. The title I have developed for my degree is Emotional and Behavioral Education in Youth. The disciplines that make up my field are special education and psychology. The discipline of special education is the major component of my field.

Background Many children and youth, including those with emotional and behavioral disorders were neglected and abused in the 19th century (Kaufman 2005). Concern for the mental and physical health of children expanded greatly in the early 20th century (Ollendick & Hersen, 1983; Kaufman 2005). According to Kanner,(1973) child guidance clinics in the era made three major innovations (1) interdisciplinary collaboration; (2) treatment of any child whose behavior was annoying to parents and teachers, not just the severe cases; and (3) attention to the effects of interpersonal relationships and adult attitudes on child behavior (Kanner 1973; Kaufman, 2005).

If one looks closely at these three innovations of the time, it reveals the origins of some of the standards found in today's IDEA. This proposal primarily focuses on whether the standards as outlined within IDEA, 2004 are being adhered to by day treatment/residential schools and juvenile correctional facilities in addition to a direct observation of local juvenile correctional facilities. STATEMENT OF THE PROJECT PLAN All aspects of educational plan for children diagnosed with EBD will be reviewed.

METHODOLOGY The study will consist of a review of a national random survey done by the Day, Residential, and Juvenile Correctional Schools Project (DRJC). The DRJC is a part of the College of Education & Human Development at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The following questions from the DRJC survey: Principals in Secondary Residential and Day Treatment Schools for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders will be used. These are some the steps I would take to accomplish the objectives of this study: Create a scorecard assigning point value to certain questions from the DJRC national survey based on IDEA standards.

Tallying the results of all results received from the DJRC national survey, and develops and average benchmark. I will compare the DJRC survey answers using the average benchmark I will make personal contact through interviews and observation of local correctional facilities. Make short and long-term recommendations where applicable. Time and gaining access to the facilities to be investigated would be limiting factors in this study. TIME TABLE Weeks 1-5 Prepare research proposal and all relevant literature review activities and meet with faculty advisor.

Weeks 6-10 Begin outline of written component project and continue research reviews. Weeks 11-15 Put final touches to written project line and finish off project for submission.