Impact of Student Motivation, Achievement, and Success in a Self-contained Special Education Classroom

Research Summary

The Questions

What happens when I establish a classroom environment where my first through fourth grade students with severe learning disabilities experience high levels of success?

Rationale

After being in my classroom for a short time, I see students blossom. Those who before did not complete any homework at home, begin doing so. Children, who did not previously participate, begin to be active participants. Students who used to hide under the table when it was time to listen to a story now sit attentively on the rug during the read-aloud. Instead of flipping pages aimlessly in the book, children begin looking at the words and figure out the story from the words and the pictures. Instead of being filled with words that are copied down—even when the student doesn’t know what they say, journals begin to be filled with words that have been sounded out. As these children begin to meet with success, they change.