Document Type

Graduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 1996

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

Committee Chair

Timothy W. Young

Second Committee Member

Franklin D. Carlson

Third Committee Member

Frederick Abel

Abstract

The effect of combining Signing Exact English signs with verbal practice of sight words was studied with students having low mild to moderate mental retardation. Five students with IQ scores ranging from untestable to 65 were shown sight words printed on cards. Words were divided into two treatment groups. Treatments included sight word instruction which involved simultaneously signing the word while saying it and sight word instruction without signing. Analysis of the data allows acceptance of the null hypothesis which states signing will have no effect on acquisition of sight words. However, results varied widely between individual students. Recommendations from the conclusions are presented.

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