A research procedure and study of elementary music curriculum for children with special needs in inclusive music programs /by Yun Chen.

The purpose of this study was to determine what curriculum, instruction and adaptations were provided in inclusive music education classrooms and to investigate factors that affect the way in which elementary school music teachers provide instruction to children with disabilities. This study focused on the population of certified elementary music education teachers in the states of Idaho and Washington. In addition to teaching elementary music, respondents reported that they also taught orchestra, choir, and different instrumental classes. Two statistical methods were used to analyze the data: the first was descriptive, frequencies and percentages for demographic variables and the perceptions of teachers about inclusive music education and related variables; the second method was the use of logistic regression to analyze significant relationships among variables.;The results indicated that none of the demographic variables were related to the provision of curriculum and instruction by music educators. Among all types of disabilities, only the presence of students with orthopedic disabilities was related to how teachers designed curriculum and delivered instruction. The major finding with respect to teacher perceptions was that teachers who held the belief that they have responsibility for modifying curriculum for students with special needs and students with special needs in inclusive learning environment rated themselves more positively with respect to curriculum and instruction practices. Similarly, when teachers believed they held responsibility, they also believed that students with disabilities would improve their language performance in inclusive settings. Lastly, when special education teachers offered specific information about characteristic of students with special needs, it appeared to influence music teachers' curriculum design and instructional delivery.;Several variables related to teachers perceptions about positive student outcomes. When music teachers took into account students behavioral characteristics, students' outcomes were more positive. Also, when music teachers design alternate projects to allow students to demonstrate mastery, students' classroom performance appeared to improve. Further, when music teachers used sequenced tasks from concrete physical activities to more abstract verbal and language-oriented responses, that strategy was related to improved student classroom performance. But in relation to school administration, increased teacher communication with administrators about music curriculum and adjustments did not appear to relate to improvements in student outcomes.;Concerning the relationship between teachers' beliefs and student outcomes, when teachers believed their school was effectively implementing inclusive programs, they also believed that student outcomes were better. As well, when music teachers believed that students with special needs would improve their language in an inclusive learning environment, they believed that student outcomes were better. In terms of the relationship between the instructional cycle and student outcomes, when music teachers evaluated the effectiveness of classroom adaptations, learning outcomes of students with special needs were rated more positively.Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, 2007