Attitudes of General Education Teachers Toward Inclusion Programs

Attitudes of General Education Teachers Toward Inclusion Programs
Author: Lisa Guy-Britt
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2021
Genre: Inclusive education
ISBN:

The focus of this study was to examine the attitudes held by general education teachers toward inclusion programs. Teachers’ attitudes can impact students’ achievement and the efficacy of programs if teachers’ attitudes result in programs that are not implemented with fidelity. The attitudes held by teachers toward students can impact all levels of learning and even student socialization. The peer-to-peer interactions can be impacted by teachers’ attitudes because teachers control the culture and climate of the class, which impacts the achievement of students. If the general education teacher holds negative attitudes towards inclusion, these negative perceptions can present as inclusion programs being implemented without fidelity. There needs to be teacher “buy in” to implement programs. This would then imply that general education teachers who hold positive attitudes toward inclusion programs have the potential to provide a benefit toward the programs and student achievement. Just as negative attitudes held by teachers can negatively impact student achievement, positive teacher attitudes have the potential to positively benefit student achievement and learning experiences. Since 1975, educational institutions have had to address how best to meet the needs of students with disabilities. These efforts have taken individuals from educating students in a specialized setting solely for students with disabilities. Today, there is a spectrum of settings for students with disabilities that range from self-contained classes comprised solely of students with disabilities to the general education classroom setting. These changes to the educational system were not born from the belief that vulnerable communities should have the same access and rights as all others. Rather, these educational gains were made through legal battles, civil rights actions, and legislation. So, it is under this landscape that a community of people who were once excluded from school and community were able to participate in the public education system. The researcher conducted this quantitative research by the survey method. Analysis of the data determined what prevalent themes emerged from the data and a comparison of the data.

Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion

Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion
Author: Amanada Pennington
Publisher:
Total Pages: 60
Release: 2012
Genre: Inclusive education
ISBN:

The purpose of the study was to examine the attitudes of general educators toward movement of students with special needs into general education classrooms. This study was conducted using a descriptive quantitative approach with a survey design. The total number of participants was 73 with a total return rate of 53%. Teachers were surveyed on their (a) attitudes towards students with disabilities in inclusive settings, (b) beliefs about professional roles and responsibilities, and (c) beliefs about the efficacy of inclusion. Time spent with special education teachers tended to increase teacher beliefs that students with mild to moderate disabilities can be more effectively educated in regular classrooms as opposed to special education classrooms. The vast majority of teachers responded positively to their roles and responsibilities with students with disabilities. General education teachers showed a positive belief in the efficacy of inclusion, as 80% indicated that they believed inclusion was effective due to the social skills that can be learned. Almost 20% of participants did not believe that students with mild or moderate disabilities should be educated in the general education classroom to the fullest extent possible. It is recommended that administrators address the attitudes of general education teachers. This could be done through in-service training, mentoring and allotting time to collaborate with special education teachers. More research should be done to determine reasons why teacher attitudes are negative, so that schools may work to maintain positive attitudes and successful inclusion programs.

Integrating Young Children with Disabilities Into Community Programs

Integrating Young Children with Disabilities Into Community Programs
Author: Charles A. Peck
Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company
Total Pages: 308
Release: 1993
Genre: Education
ISBN:

Explains how to apply the lessons and theories of the past 15 years to the actual practice of integrating young children with disabilities into the mainstream community. Chronicles and evaluates the various research projects, programs, and models that have been and are being used. For professionals, graduates, and administrators in education and sp.

What Every Special Educator Must Know

What Every Special Educator Must Know
Author: Council for Exceptional Children
Publisher: Council For Exceptional Children
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2015-12-15
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0865865043

CEC wrote the book on special education ... literally. CEC s famous red book details the ethics, standards, and guidelines for special education preparation and practice. Delineating both knowledge and skill sets and individual content standards, What Every Special Educator Must Know is an invaluable resource for special education administrators, institutional faculty developing curriculum, state policy makers evaluating licensure requirements, and special educators planning their professional growth.

Preservice Teachers' Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Persons with Disabilities and Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Into General Education Classrooms

Preservice Teachers' Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Persons with Disabilities and Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Into General Education Classrooms
Author: Hyun-joo Jeon
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2000
Genre:
ISBN:

Teachers' attitudes and beliefs have been a focus in the study of successful teaching practices in schools. Today, many children with disabilities are included in general education classroom settings. Teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward inclusion and children with disabilities play a central role in successful inclusion. This research examined preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward persons with disabilities and inclusion of children with disabilities into general education classrooms, as well as factors associated with these attitudes and beliefs. Major findings of this study were that: 1) preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward persons with disabilities were predicted by their personal relationships with persons who have disabilities and number of special education courses taken, 2) preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward inclusion were predicted by their number of special education courses taken, personal relationships with persons who have disabilities, and educational level, and 3) preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward inclusion were strongly correlated with preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward persons with disabilities. This study suggests the need to provide more qualitative, practical experience and course content related to children with disabilities and their inclusion in teacher education programs and future studies to investigate the relationships between other variables (e.g., preservice program organization) and preservice teachers' attitudes and beliefs toward inclusion and persons with disabilities.

Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom

Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom
Author: Toby J. Karten
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2015-11-24
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1510700951

How we treat others often influences how individuals feel about themselves. This book illustrates how educators can effectively promote sensitive, inclusive classroom practices that maximize success for students with disabilities. Embracing Disabilities in the Classroom provides content-rich interdisciplinary lessons accompanied by behavioral, academic, and social interventions that capitalize on student strengths. Inclusion expert Toby J. Karten demonstrates the impact of literature, self-advocacy, role playing, and strategic interventions on students' growth and achievement. The numerous lessons, tables, rubrics, instructional guidelines, and charts help readers: • Determine effective strategies for differentiating instruction for specific disabilities • Modify lessons and curriculum appropriately in the content areas • Encourage students to become active participants in learning • Increase disability awareness and foster inclusive mind-sets in students, colleagues, and families This practical resource provides special education and general education teachers, principals, and teacher leaders with both effective instructional strategies for curriculum delivery and responsive approaches to promoting positive attitudes toward disabilities. Given appropriate support and an accepting environment, all students are able to achieve, thrive, and succeed in school and in life!

A Review on How Teacher Preparation Programs for General Education Preservice Teachers Shape Their Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education

A Review on How Teacher Preparation Programs for General Education Preservice Teachers Shape Their Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education
Author: Sophia Boysen
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024
Genre:
ISBN:

Since 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was enacted, the United States public school system and teacher preparation programs have been trying to prepare teachers and preservice teachers to teach in inclusive classrooms. Teacher preparation programs across the country started to include an introductory course on special education as a requirement for general education degree programs. Research in the 90s has shown these semester long introductory courses improved the beliefs and attitudes preservice teachers have towards inclusion and students with disabilities; however, the same research articles that prove the increase in positive attitudes also recommend teacher preparation programs need to integrate special needs topics more into the general education courses. Through the review of eight different research articles, there will be an examination of the different approaches teacher preparation programs have used to help preservice teachers feel prepared to teach in an inclusive classroom. The articles are split amongst three different categorized themes. The first approach was the implementation of an introductory special education course. The second approach was the addition of field experience on top of the semester long introductory special education course. The last approach focused on integrating special education and inclusion topics into the general education courses.

"I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends"

Author: Yael Rachel Shemesh
Publisher:
Total Pages: 123
Release: 2009
Genre: Children with disabilities
ISBN:

Prior to federal law PL-94-142, children with disabilities typically were excluded from regular, mainstream classes. This law emphasized the least restrictive environment since research had shown that all children benefited from inclusive learning environments. In the late 1990s, New Jersey was cited as having too high a proportion of children with disabilities in segregated placements. New Jersey received a State Improvement Grant (SIG) to increase the number of students with disabilities in regular education classes. This dissertation was designed to evaluate one aspect of local school districts' program initiatives to achieve this end: teachers' attitudes and perceptions regarding inclusion. Teachers are responsible for the daily implementation of inclusion practices. Their attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs are crucial for the success of inclusion. Although findings from previous research have indicated that teachers favor inclusion, their willingness to implement inclusive practices depends on the availability of supports and resources, as well as the attitudes of school personnel. A total of 856 general education, special education, and special area teachers from seven districts in New Jersey were surveyed regarding: (a) their attitudes and beliefs about inclusion; (b) their perceived administrative support; (c) their perceived ease in meeting the needs of students with disabilities in their classroom; and (d) the factors that have helped or hindered their ability to include students with disabilities in their classroom. Quantitative (Pearson product-moment correlation, multiple regression, independent samples t test) and qualitative (content analysis) methods were used to analyze the survey data. Special education teachers had more positive attitudes toward inclusion than did general education teachers. Relationships between teachers' attitudes and perceptions, and administrative support were found for general education teachers but not for special education teachers. Years of experience working with students with disabilities did not influence these relationships. Teachers identified training, positive attitudes, and support from colleagues, administrators, and other school personnel as factors facilitating inclusive practices. Barriers to implementation included large class size, insufficient planning time, lack of support from colleagues and school administrators, student behavior and ability, and teachers' negative attitudes. Implications for practice are discussed for administrators and school psychologists.