Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Pisapia, John

Abstract

The educational reforms of the last two decades have placed an increased demand on accountability and refocused efforts toward maximum achievement for all students, including those with disabilities. The goals of such reforms are that no child is left behind in achieving high standards. Under these reforms, exceptional education students who seek to earn a standard high school diploma are being held to the same standards as regular education students. This study provides information on the achievement of students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the standard diploma program in the Broward County School system. Students included in this study, were in the 10th grade during the 2003-2004 school year and were administered the 10th grade Sunshine State Standards (SSS) FLAT. They also were enrolled in the standard diploma program and had been diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability. In addition, enrollment in the Broward County School system for a minimum of seven consecutive years was mandatory along with having FCAT SSS scores in both reading and math for three consecutive years. A sample of all of the students (N=278) that met the specified criteria was utilized. To investigate the relationship among the variables---achievement, ESE services, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and gender---correlations, descriptive statistics, and regressions were used. Some of the findings were that students have a higher pass rate on the math achievement test (57 percent passed) than they do on the reading achievement test (32 percent passed). However, Black, Hispanic, and White students did not benefit equally from ESE services. Further, a statistically significant moderate correlational relationship exists between FCAT reading and FCAT math scores. This research explained less than a quarter of the variation in the achievement levels analyzed; therefore, further longitudinal research is needed to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs.

Extent

159 p.

Comments

College of Education|Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|College of Education

Identifier

FADT12184

Format

pdf

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