Running head: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE Lived Experiences of Undergraduate and Graduate Students Utilizing Accommodations A Dissertation submitted by Renee Ruhkamp MSN, RN to College of Saint Mary in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION with an emphasis on Health Professions Education This Dissertation has been accepted for the faculty of College of Saint Mary by: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 2 We hereby certify that this Dissertation, submitted by Renee Ruhkamp, conforms to acceptable standards and fully fulfills the Dissertation requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education from College of Saint Mary Lois Linden Ed.D., RN Chair Vicky Morgan, Ph.D. Committee member Christy Hutchison, JD Committee member LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 3 Copyright © May, 2015 Renee Ruhkamp LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 4 Dedication Page I would like to dedicate this to my father who passed away in 2008. However, he did not get to see me graduate with my masters or start my doctorate. I know he is watching over me and giving me a shove when I need it. He was always proud that I went back to school and helped me tremendously during my educational process. He may not be here physically to see my graduation day but I know he is watching over me. Thank you dad. I love you and miss you every day! LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 5 Acknowledgement Page I would like to thank my family for helping me so much during this process. My daughter Clarissa has watched me go to school since she was 3 years old through my BSN, MSN, and now my doctorate. She has watched me do homework and work on many assignments over the years. Her support means more than she will know. I would like to thank my mother Peggy who has shown continued support by doing different things for me and helping me when an assignment was due and I needed to focus. She also watched my daughter several times during my educational path so I could attend classes. I also would like to thank my father Noel, who passed away in 2008; he has given me so much support over the years and is still watching over me and guiding me through the process. Additionally my sister, nieces, and nephews who have heard me say more than once, “I can’t go, I have to work on a paper” and supported this. I would like to thank my coworkers over the years who have given me so much support, guidance, and encouragement. I am not sure I could have kept going if they were not there to help guide me. I want to personally thank Dr. Pat Coyle-Rogers, Dr. Mae Timmons, Dr. George Rogers, and Dr. Aubray Orduna for helping me edit the paper. Finally, I want to thank my committee. Dr. Lois Linden, thank you so much for supporting me and guiding me through this process. It has been a long and difficult road. When I would get frustrated, I could always count on you redirecting me back to the right path. I would like to thank Dr. Vicky Morgan for your continued support and thank you to Christy Hutchison for your support and thought provoking questions. Without you I would not be here today. LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 6 Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………… 13 CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………… 15 Background and Rationale………………………………………………….. 15 Problem Statement………………………………………………………….. 19 Purpose of the Study……………………………………………………….. 20 Research Question………………………………………………………….. 22 Operational Definitions……………………………………………………… 22 Conceptual Framework……………………………………………………… 23 Universal Design……………………………………………………………. 26 Assumptions………………………………………………………………… 26 Limitations/Delimitations…………………………………………………… 27 Significance…………………………………………………………………. 27 Summary……………………………………………………………………. 28 CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………… 29 Overview……………………………………………………………………. 29 Characteristics of Disability………………………………………………… 29 Advocacy…………………………………………………………………… 31 Self-Efficacy………………………………………………………………… 32 Accommodation…………………………………………………………….. 34 Access ……………………………………………………………………… 36 Universal Design……………………………………………………………. 37 Student Perceptions…………………………………………………………. 38 LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 7 Faculty Perceptions…………………………………………………………. 41 Summary……………………………………………………………. 42 CHAPTER III: METHODS AND PROCEDURES………………………………. 44 Research Design…………………………………………………………….. 44 Description of Sample……………………………………………………… 44 Demographics……………………………………………………………… 45 Description of Setting……………………………………………………… 45 Data Gathering Tools………………………………………………………. 46 Data Gathering Procedures…………………………………………………. 47 Planned Data Analysis……………………………………………………… 48 Data Quality Measures……………………………………………………… 50 Ethical Considerations……………………………………………………… 51 Summary……………………………………………………………………. 51 CHAPTER IV: RESULTS………………………………………………………….. 52 Demographics………………………………………………………………. 53 Data Analysis………………………………………………………………. 53 Themes……………………………………………………………………… 54 A3 Model…………………………………..………………………………. 55 Advocacy…………………………………………………………… 56 Access……………………………………………………………… 56 Accommodations…………………………………………………… 57 Testing Accommodation……………………………………………………. 57 Reasons of Testing Accommodations ……………………………… 58 LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 8 Type of Testing Accommodation…………………………………... 58 Impact of Testing Accommodations……………………………….. 59 Positive Tone……………………………………………………………….. 59 Success……………………………………………………………… 59 Requested Sooner…………………………………………………… 60 Negative Tone………………………………………………………………. 60 Scared / Nervous……………………………………………………. 60 Guilt………………………………………………………………… 61 Frustration…………………………………………………………… 61 Research Questions…………………………………………………………. 62 Access………………………………………………………………. 67 Type of Testing Accommodation…………………………………… 67 Frustration…………………………………………………………… 67 Nervous……………………………………………………………… 67 Guilt………………………………………………………………… 67 Results Summary…………………………………………………………… 67 CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION……………………………… 69 Research Questions and Interpretation……………………………………… 69 Correlation to the Literature and Theoretical Framework…………………… 70 Implications/ Recommendations for Education…………………………….. 74 Clear Pathway for Students…………………………………………. 74 Faculty and Staff Development…………………………………….. 75 Limitations of this Study……………………………………………………. 77 LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 9 Future Research……………………………………………………………… 78 Summary……………………………………………………………………. 79 Reference…………………………………………………………………………… 81 Appendix……………………………………………………………………………. 90 LIVED EXPERIENCES OF UNDERGRADUATE 10 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Comparison Major Themes of A3 Model…………………………… 63 Table 2 Comparison Major Theme Testing Accommodation……………….. 64 Table 3 Comparison Major Theme Positive Tone…………………………… 65 Table 4 Comparison Major Theme Negative Tone………………………….. 66