Attitudes of Teachers and Administrators in Cumberland County, Tennessee, Toward Inclusion PDF Download

Author: Sandra Rankhorn
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mainstreaming in education
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Author: Beverly Ann Jones
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Author: Leatrice Lynn Satterwhite
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781321814781
Category : Inclusive education
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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This study examined attitudes of general education teachers, special education teachers, and building administrators relative to inclusive practices. Using survey methodology, the level of agreement or disagreement of teachers' and administrators' attitude towards inclusive practices was measured in four areas: Planning, Classroom/School Environment, Collaboration/Team Partners, and Resources/Support/Professional Development. A purposeful sampling of participants, including 47 teachers and principals representing 30 elementary schools from a large urban school district in southern Maryland, voluntarily completed an Inclusive Practices Survey. The survey measured teacher and administrator attitude using a 22-item, five-point Likert scale. The quantitative questions were augmented by five qualitative questions that were an extension of select quantitative items. The data was analyzed using t-test, frequency distribution, Chi-Square-Cross Tabulation bivariate statistical test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Analyses revealed a significant difference between special educators and building administrators in reference to Collaboration/Team Partners. Overall, a majority of the responses for both teachers and administrators were in the strongly agree and agree somewhat categories. Comparison of the results for each of the groups separately exposed that building administrators chose the highest rating of strongly agree more frequently than did the total group. General education teachers selected strongly disagree at double the rate of special education teachers and triple the rate of administrators. Results support other researchers' findings, which indicate that principals' attitudes toward inclusion were encouraging and have an influential impact on school-wide policy and practices. Implications surfaced from the findings to signify students with and without disabilities working together collaboratively, general education teachers and special education teachers sharing the responsibility for behavior management and administration, and providing ongoing support to teachers, school teams can provide the foundation for strong inclusive practices, which may positively impact the levels of academic achievement, enhance students social skills, and improve school culture and acceptance of all.

Author: Pamela G. Kilgariff
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Author: Yael Rachel Shemesh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Children with disabilities
Languages : en
Pages : 123

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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.

Author: Candace Cherry
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Children with disabilities
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Author: Cassandra N. Williams
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Author: Amanada Pennington
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Inclusive education
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description
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.

Author: Mary Jane Hayes
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mainstreaming in education
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Author: Wanda Patton Porter
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education, Rural
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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