evaluating mainstream teacher attitudes toward
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Evaluating Mainstream Teacher Attitudes Toward
Inclusion of Children with Special NeedsIn the Mainstream Classroom
EDG6625
September 14, 2009
Bernadette Harris
University of North FloridaCollege of Education & Human Services
Graduate School
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The study addressed in this article was conducted as a quantitative study, using a
Likert-model survey used in numerous previous similar studies across the globe. Some
of the previously surveyed nations were Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Portugal, Egypt,
Zambia, Australia, Thailand, Italy and Norway. All of these had similar findings to the
study conducted in the UK, used in this article.
Questions addressed in the survey were designed to address teacher attitudes
toward the general concept of inclusion and its implementation in the mainstream
classroom. The survey was used to measure teacher attitude toward the general concept
as opposed to its actual integration, the level of support teachers felt they received in the
implementation of inclusion, whether a significant difference in opinion existed in
various subgroups of teachers such as age, gender, grade level, type of school and size of
class. It also measured the teacher attitudes in correlation with their level of training (i.e.:
specialized degree, in-service professional development, etc.) It also measured whether
previous experience with inclusion affected teacher attitudes. In addition, one purpose of
the survey was to identify any barriers in the successful implementation of inclusion in
given teachers classrooms. One area of concentration that was emphasized was the level
of support systems the teachers felt were in place.
At the close of the survey, the results revealed that teachers who had previous
experience in inclusion, as well as those with extensive professional training and
advanced degrees in special education had significantly more positive attitudes toward
the concept of inclusion as well as their own self-efficacy in the ability to successfully
implement it in their own classroom. Teachers with university level professional
development vs. in-service level training possessed more positive attitudes in the theory
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of inclusion as being the most affective and valuable to the special needs student, as well
as more confidence in their ability to meet requirements of IEPs and 504 Plans. There
was a significant population of teachers surveyed that felt they were not adequately
prepared for the task of successful implementation of inclusion, due to the modifications
necessary as outlined in student IEPs. Many of the teachers did not feel they were
knowledgeable, even at the university level, without having completed substantial
coursework in special education prior to being expected to meet the requirements
outlined in the inclusion model.
In addition to the general results calculated by the survey, one of the categories of
the survey addressed specific types of student needs. Additionally, pupils with
emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBD) were seen as causing significantly greater
concern and stress than pupils with other difficulties (Avrimades, Bayless and Burden,
2000, p.16).
It seems of no surprise that emotionally and behaviorally challenged students
would be seen to be the most challenging to the mainstream teacher. These students
often require a high level of intervention and individualized attention, whereas those with
other disabilities and needs often only required a modified curriculum. This is also a set
of students with a set of needs that probably requires more need-specific professional
development on the part of teachers, and would require more lengthy training than a day-
long in-service workshop or seminar.
This study supports my existing contention that our current educational system, a
the university as well as the state and district levels, is not efficiently preparing its
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graduates in regular education certification programs for the task of successfully
implementing the inclusion model in classrooms across our country, and world.
Under IDEA, ESE (exceptional student education) students must be educated in
the least restrictive environment (Wright, 2006) , hence the birth of the inclusion model
of education. Although the concept is to be applauded, as to eliminate the segregation and
ostrocization of students with special needs, the burden of preparing teachers who are
certified in regular classroom instruction to successfully implement this model is yet to
be realized and put into practice in our current system. Recently many universities have
added one or two special education courses to the undergraduate requirements for degrees
in elementary education. This has not been mandated as a national or even state
requirement as yet, and also has not been expanded into middle and secondary education
certification programs.
Due to the lack of teacher preparation, the reality of being able to amply service
the needs of what often occupies 33% of any given classroom, is idealistic at best. In
addition, in the United States, we are using the same standardized test (FCAT)
to measure the academic growth of both special needs and standard level students. This
is a blanketed approach to measuring student and schoolwide gains, and does not give
accurate accounts of whether inclusion is working for the students tested! When ESE
student test results are included with and buried within those of academically gifted, AP,
IB and standard student test results, our outcomes are skewed to say the least!
Our entire method of implementation of inclusion education is definitely in need
of reevaluation, as shown by the study mentioned in this article, as well as the results of
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test data across our nations academic databases. We are certainly not leaving LESS
children behind in our current practice.
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