OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Special Education MA (Low Incidence Disabilities And Autism)

Goal
Quality And Effectiveness
Enhance the quality and effectiveness of the academic programs

Objective
Knowledge Of Literature And Research
Graduate students in the Low Incidence Disabilities and Autism Program will demonstrate knowledge of the literature and research in the field of applied behavior analysis.

Indicator
Knowledge Of Literature And Research
Students in the Low Incidence Disabilities and Autism Program will successfully develop a research proposal.

Criterion
Knowledge Of Literature And Research
During SPD 698, Research in Behavior Analysis, students will develop and present an original research proposal. The presentation and research proposal will be rated as meeting standards as evaluated by performance rubrics. (see attached rubric)

Finding
Research Proposals
Of the 11 students enrolled in SPD 698, 1 dropped the class, 7 completed research proposals with a satisfactory score during fall 2008 as indicated by scores on the rubric, and 3 completed successful research proposals during the spring 2009.

Action
Knowledge Of Literature And Research
For 2009, add an additional textbook by Lunenberg & Irby on Writing a Successful Dissertation or Thesis. The instructor also will review chapters in Cooper, Herron, & Heward on research design in applied behavior analysis during SPD 699. To prepare students for the proposal process and literature review, they will develop literature review and mini-proposal during SPD 562, Seminar in Cognitive Disabilities.

Objective
Comprehensive Examinations
Graduates of the Low Incidence Disabilities and Autism Program will demonstrate knowledge of principles of Applied Behavior Analysis

Indicator
Comprehensive Examinations
Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of principles of behavior analysis on comprehensive examinations.

Criterion
Passing Scores On Comprehensive Examinations
Candidates in the Low Incidence Disabilities and Autism Program will score 80% or better on their comprehensive examinations as rated by two independent evaluators on the performance rubric. This is an examination that is aligned to the standards of the International Behavior Analysis Certification Board. The standards can be found at http://www.bacb.com/becom_frame.html (rubric attached)

Finding
Comprehensive Examinations
Of the 9 students who have taken comprehensive examinations, 9 have passed with a score of 80% or better.

Action
Examation Pass Rate
As students complete required field experience hours, faculty will assist them in registering and preparing for the examination. A study guide will be developed for comprehensive examinations. Addiitonally, a preparation session will be held each semester. Keep data on pass rate. Faculty will a incorporate review of ethics into SPD 538; incorporate review of reseach methods into SPD 698.

Objective
Graduate Student Involvement In Professional Organizations
Graduate students in the Low Incidence Disabilities and Autism Program will demonstrate involvement in professional organizations

Indicator
Graduate Student Involvement
Graduate students will present research and lead sessions at the International Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference.

Criterion
Graduate Student Involvement in Professional Organizations
*At least one graduate student research proposal will be accepted for a presentation at the International Assocation for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference
*At least one graduate student will chair a panel at the International Assocation for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference

Finding
Graduate Student Involvement
Charish Mohoney presented her research from her thesis at the International Association for Behavior Analysis Conference.
Tiffany Hammer was chair for the Student Roundtable at the International Association for Behavior Analysis Conference.

Action
Graduate Student Involvement
Faculty will assist students in developing proposals to present at conferences in 2009-2010. Faculty will work with students to develop proposals to findings from theses and research projects.

Goal
Faculty Excellence
Promote faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service

Objective
Faculty Presentations
Faculty will develop two research proposals for consideration for the International Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Proposals will highlight faculty research in the area of applied behavior analysis.

Indicator
ABA Conference
Conference proposal submitted and accepted for presentation at International ABA conference in Boston.

Criterion
Presentation At ABA Conference
Two faculty members will present sessions at the International Assocation for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference.

Finding
Conference Proposals Accepted
Conference proposals were submitted and accepted for Dr. Barbara Metzger and Dr. Ruth DeBar who presented at the 2009 International ABA conference.

Action
Texas And International ABA Conferences
Prepare proposals highlighting faculty research in applied behavior analysis. Submit program proposals for 2010 Texas and International ABA Conferences

Goal
Visibility And Impact
Increase visibility and impact by promoting quality programs and developing partnerships

Objective
Faculty Presentations
Faculty will develop two research proposals for consideration for the International Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference. Proposals will highlight faculty research in the area of applied behavior analysis.

Indicator
ABA Conference
Conference proposal submitted and accepted for presentation at International ABA conference in Boston.

Criterion
Presentation At ABA Conference
Two faculty members will present sessions at the International Assocation for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference.

Finding
Conference Proposals Accepted
Conference proposals were submitted and accepted for Dr. Barbara Metzger and Dr. Ruth DeBar who presented at the 2009 International ABA conference.

Action
Texas And International ABA Conferences
Prepare proposals highlighting faculty research in applied behavior analysis. Submit program proposals for 2010 Texas and International ABA Conferences


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement During 2008-2009 Dr. Ruth DeBar, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, joined the Special Education Program. Along with Dr. Barbara Metzger, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, they have taught courses in the program, developed proposals,and made presentations at international and state conferences. They also submitted the successful application for the field experience at Sam Houston State to be approved by the International Behavior Analysis Certification Board. This will require ongoing submission of data to maintain approval. Since Dr. DeBar is leaving SHSU, we will need to conduct a search for another faculty member who is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Drs. Metzger, DeBar, and Simpson were able to take a group of graduate students to the International Conference for Applied Behavaior Analysis. For 2009-2010 we will assit graduate students in developing proposals for presentations for conferences in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.
One major challenge has been the ability of students to successfully develop their research proposals for their theses. We will be implementing a process to improve this area by initiating the thesis literature early in the program, reviewing research methods, and setting intermediate deadlines. This process will involve multiple faculty members and classes. Additionally, we will work to refine the comprehensive exam process with a scoring rubric for oral examinations. We have developed a rubric with high reliability for evaluating oral comprehensive examinations. For 2009-2010 we will develop a study guide and conduct review sessions to prepare students for comprehensive examinations and their certification test for Board Certification in Behavior Analysis.