A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Audience Approved by JDRP for improvement of teaching and quality of instruction in reading and language arts for all students but especially students with mild hearing losses (MHL) grades K-6. The program has been used in regular and special education classrooms early childhood through grade 12 for instruction in all subject areas.

Description The Mainstream Amplification Resource Room Study (MARRS) program uses sound field amplification of the regular or special education teacher's voice in the presentation of the school's regular curriculum. Amplification equipment is installed in the classroom and the teacher wears a wireless FM microphone which permits freedom of movement in the classroom. The amplification allows the instructor to maintain a consistent signal approximately 10 decibels above the noise level in the classroom. Thus an improved listening environment is created for all students. Amplification enhances the clarity of oral instructions, promotes student attention, lessens teacher voice fatigue and increases academic achievement scores, particularly for students with mild (MHL) hearing losses who are to be found in all classrooms.

Data from the original study suggest 30% of all students in regular classrooms and as many as 75% of special education students have educationally significant hearing losses, many of which are undetected by routine school hearing screenings. MARRS provides a cost-efficient alternative/supplement to resource room instruction for mainstreamed mildly disabled students as well as an effective environmental modification to benefit all students and teachers. Statistically significant gains in academic achievement are demonstrated by target students in the least restrictive environment at a fraction of the cost of resource room intervention.

In the 1-86 validated study using data from four adopting districts, a pre-post experimental-control group design was utilized to demonstrate that K-6 target students (MHL) receiving instruction in standard classrooms equipped with sound field amplification make statistically significant greater gains in standardized achievement scores than do target students in control (nonamplified) classrooms (p<.05).

Requirements No special staff, facilities, or curriculum materials are required. The program is designed to enhance the ongoing curriculum, improve teaching, and create an improved listening/learning environment for all students. The adopting district purchases sound amplification equipment which is installed in classroom(s). Following a brief inservice, teachers use amplification for oral instruction.

(1) One-time purchase of sound field equipment, which can be used for years with minimal ongoing costs. Cost per student varies with the number of children in amplified classrooms and decreases with subsequent years as equipment continues to be used. (2) Portion of costs (to be negotiated) for installation and inservice of local staff by program personnel. Release time for teacher inservice is not ordinarily required.

Services An NDN funded Developer/Demonstrator program. Awareness materials are available at no cost. Visitors are welcome at program sites any time. Program staff are available to attend out-of-state awareness meetings (costs to be negotiated). Training is conducted at the program site (costs to be negotiated). Implementation and follow-up services are available to adopters.

Contact

Helen Ray, Director or Carole Rash, Associate Director, MARRS, Wabash and Ohio Valley Special Education District, Box E, Norris City, IL 62869-0905. (618) 378-2131.

Developmental Funding: USOE ESEA Title IV-C. JDRP No. 81-27 (7/28/81)
Recertified (3/5/92)

-###-

[Lab School of Washington, The (LSW)]

[Multi-Agency Project for Pre-Schoolers (MAPPS)]