About Ruth Jefferson
Dr. Jefferson has many years of experience in both public education and academia. She has been instrumental in program development in the areas of literacy and math at all levels of public education, preschool through high school. Dr. Jefferson has been instrumental in designing service delivery for students across the span of special education, and for implementing Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered Services and Supports (RTI/MTSS) in multiple school districts. Her research interests include literacy, impacts of outdoor education, undergraduate teacher preparation programs, and others.
Professional Experience
Dr. Jefferson was a classroom teacher and resource teacher in public and private schools for many years where she innovated literacy and behavioral programs for students with and without disabilities. She then served as a district-level administrator where she oversaw staff and supervised services for students with disabilities and students at-risk for learning difficulties. She provided support for multiple school districts when RTI/MTSS services were being designed and developed. She currently shares her experience and expertise with university students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her work on innovative and immersive projects include the High Riding Art and Equestrian Camp, Camp Adventure (Research), and TEAM2 Literacy Program for At-Risk Youth.
Education
B.S. Ball State University Education
M.A. Ball State University Education
Ed.D. Ball State University Special Education
Research and Publications
Shaffer, M. & Jefferson, R. (2021). From pushups to angel’s wings: Great things happen when boys read. Rowman and Littlefield.
Jessup, M. & Jefferson, R.E. Discussion of text revisited: Encouraging chatting in our classrooms. Reading Horizons. (In Press)
Bassette, L., Jefferson, R. E., Stuve, M., & Geiser, S. (2021), The impact of direct experiences with children with disabilities on undergraduate student perceptions and dispositions. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, July, 2021. DOI: 10.1080/1034912X.2021.1944611
Bassette, L., Jefferson, R. E., Stuve, M., & Geiser, S. (2021), The impact of direct experiences with children with disabilities on undergraduate student perceptions and dispositions. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, July, 2021. DOI: 10.1080/1034912X.2021.1944611
Bassette, L. A., Jefferson, R. E., Stuve, M., & Mangino, (2021). A. Short-term fun or long-term outcomes? The effects of authentic pedagogy on the dispositional development of college students learning about the educational needs of children with disabilities, Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP), Spring/Summer, 2021. ISSN: 2325-7476.
Jefferson, R. E., Grant, C. E., Bassette, L., Rye, L. K., Stuve, M., Heinesen, R. (2018), University students’ perceptions of social justice: The impact of implementing a summer camp for children with disabilities. Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship, 7(1). 2-21. Available at: http://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/josea/vol7/iss1/6
Jefferson, R. E., Grant, Grant, C. E., & Sander, J. B. (2017). Effects of tier I differentiation and reading intervention on reading fluency, comprehension, and high-stakes measures. Reading Psychology, 38(1). 97-124. DOI: 10.1080/02702711.2016.1235648
Albrecht, S. F., Mathur, S., Jones, R. E., & Alazemi, S. (2015). Effects of a school-wide tiered model of social skills intervention on school climate. Education and Treatment of Children with Behavior Disorders, 38(4), 565-586.
Harvey, M., Yssel, N. & Jones, R. E. (2015).Response to intervention preparation for preservice teachers: What is the status for Midwest institutions of higher education. Teacher Education and Special Education, 38(2). 105-120. DOI: 10.1177/08884064145448598
Clarke, L. S., Embury, D. C., Jones, R. E., & Yssel, N. (2014). Supporting students with disabilities during school crises: A teacher's guide. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 46(6), 169-178.