Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
June Fishback
Committee Member
Clifford Claiborne
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
attendance, absenteeism, concrete incentives, dropout, incentives, Positive Reinforcement, school attendance, special education, tangible rewards, Truancy, truant
Abstract
This applied dissertation was designed to provide concrete incentives and tangible rewards for the special education students in a high school. Mediocre attendance is a serious problem in many schools with students identified as meeting the criteria for special education. It impacts the student, school, parents, and community. Research shows that poor attendance can be associated to behavioral problems, academic failure, and leading to dropout tendencies.
The writer developed a program that provided concrete incentives and tangible rewards. Planned solution strategies to improve attendance included (a) distributing concrete incentives to students, (b) distributing tangible rewards to students, (c) forming an attendance committee, (d) providing teacher in-service training. Faculty members are encouraged to continue providing concrete incentives and tangible rewards.
The applied dissertation intervention increased the average rate of the special education targeted group during the spring semester of 2003 by 18%. Also, the overall school attendance improved from 73% to 75.5% and several parents remain actively involved with the school. The writer continues to distribute tangible rewards and or concrete incentives and look forward to provide the attendance program to all students during the 2003-2004 school year.