A Comparison of Academic Performance of Special Education Students and Early Childhood/Elementary Education Students on Specific General Education Courses.

Overview & Synopsis

A study was conducted to determine if significant differences existed in academic performance in general studies courses between students who received degrees in special education and students who received degrees in early childhood/elementary education. Subjects (N=284) were students who received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in either special education or early childhood/elementary education from August, 1990, through May, 1992. Of the total of 284 students who received a degree during this time period, 228 were early childhood/elementary majors, and 56 were special education majors. Participants' transcripts were reviewed to determine the grades obtained in general studies courses required of all students. Data analysis revealed that significant differences existed between the two groups in only two courses. Early childhood/elementary students performed significantly better than special education students in math (college algebra) and geography. The most noteworthy point of this study focuses not so much on existing differences in academic performance between early childhood/elementary and special education majors, but on the homogeneity of both groups. (LL)