A Study of Teachers’ Perspectives towards the Requirement for Inclusive Education and Courses of Action for Its Successful Implementation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc in Educational Psychology, Educational Science and Psychology Faculty, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran

2 MSc in Educational Psychology, Educational Science and Psychology Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Psychology Department, Educational Science and Psychology Faculty, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

One of the most important goals of the education system is the successful implementation of inclusive education. Therefore, the factors that influence the success of inclusive education should be investigated. The purpose of the present study is to investigate teachers’ perspectives on the requirements of inclusive education and recommended actions for its successful implementation. The present study is purposive conducted by using a phenomenological qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the content analysis method. The participants includes all teachers in Torbat-e Heydariyeh in the school year 2020-2021. Based on purposive sampling, 15 female and 15 male teachers (teaching in exceptional and normal schools) were selected and interviewed. The findings show that teachers have negative, positive and neutral perceptions about the need for inclusive education. In addition, 83% of the participants believed that there is no need for inclusive education. Respondents’ courses of action for successful implementation of inclusive education were divided into four categories: “teacher preparation,” “school preparation,” “student preparation,” and “how to integrate students.” The first theme was considered the most important option for action. Based on the importance of inclusive education, special attention must be paid to the factors that influence the students' perspective. In addition, effective application and implementation of the proposed measures can improve the quality of teaching and learning in an inclusive environment to achieve successful inclusive education.

Keywords


ادیب حاج‌باقری، م.، پرویزی، س.، و صلصالی، م. (1389). روش‌های تحقیق کیفی. تهران: مرکز نشر علوم پزشکی «بشری».
امامی سیگارودی، ع.، دهقان نیری، ن.، رهنورد، ز.، و نوری سعید، ع. (1391). روش‌شناسی تحقیق کیفی: پدیدارشناسی. پرستاری و مامایی جامع‌نگر، 22(68)، 63-56.
سرمد، ز.، بازرگان، ع.، و حجازی، ا. (1391). روش‌های تحقیق در علوم رفتاری. تهران: آگه.
افضلی، ل.، حجازی، ا.، غلامعلی لواسانی، م.، اژه‌ای، ج.، و افروز، غ. ع. (1398). دیدگاه معلمان، والدین، مشاوران مدارس و دانش‌آموزان نسبت به مؤلفه‌های مدرسۀ تاب‌آور: یک مطالعه کیفی. فصلنامۀ پژوهش‌های کاربردی روان‌شناختی. 10(2)، 33-19.
پوشنه، ک.، و مالمیر، ف. (1396). نگرش معلمان پایۀ ابتدایی به آموزش و پرورش فراگیر. مدیریت و برنامه‌ریزی در نظام‌های آموزشی. 10(1)، 157-147.
حاج‌کاظمیان، م.، هویدا، ر.، عابدی ا.، و رجائی‌پور، س. (1397). بررسی تحلیلی روش گروه‌بندی تمام‌وقت دانش‌آموزان مدارس استعداد درخشان. فصلنامۀ پژوهش‌های کاربردی روان‌شناختی. 9(1)، 122-93.
عیوضی، ز.، عارفی، م.، فتحی، ک.، و پناغی، ل. (1394). معلمان دانش‌آموزان مبتلا به اختلال طیف اوتیسم؛ شایستگی‌ها و وظایف. فصلنامۀ پژوهش‌های کاربردی روان‌شناختی. 6(3)، 201-187.
کریپندورف، ک. (1383). تحلیل محتوا: مبانی روش‌شناسی. ترجمۀ هوشنگ نایبی. تهران: نشر نی.
گال، ج.، بورگ، و.، و مردیت دامین، گ. (1393). روش‌های تحقیق کمی و کیفی در علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی. ترجمۀ احمدرضا نصر، حمیدرضا عریضی، محمود ابوالقاسمی، محمدجعفر پاک‌سرشت، علیرضا کیامنش، خسرو باقری و همکاران. تهران: سازمان مطالعه و تدوین کتب علوم انسانی دانشگاه‌ها (سمت)؛ مرکز تحقیق و توسعۀ علوم انسانی، دانشگاه شهید بهشتی.
محمدی‌مهر، غ. ر. (1387). روش تحلیل محتوا (راهنمای عملی تحقیق). تهران: گنجینۀ علوم انسانی: دانش‌نگار.
هومن، ح. ع. (1385). راهنمای عملی پژوهش کیفی. تهران: سازمان مطالعه و تدوین کتب علوم انسانی دانشگاه‌ها (سمت)، مرکز تحقیق و توسعۀ علوم انسانی.
Alahbabi, A. (2009). K-12 Special and general education teacher’s attitudes toward the inclusion of students with special needs in general education classes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). International Journal of Special Education. 24(2), 42-54.
Altan, M. Z. (2020). Extrability and the theory of multiple intelligences as a phenomenon for an inclusive education renewal. European Journal of Special Education Research. 5(3), 17-39.
Asiri, A. (2019). Concerns and professional development needs of teachers at elementary schools in Saudi Arabia in adopting inclusive education. PhD dissertation. Doctor of Education, Department of Special Education College of Education, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
Boitumelo, M., Kuyini, A. B., & Major, T. E. (2020). Experiences of general secondary education teachers in inclusive classrooms: Implications for sustaining inclusive education in Botswana. International Journal of Whole Schooling. 16(1), 1-34.
Costello, S., & Boyle, C. (2013). Pre-service secondary teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 38(4), 129-143.
Chitiyo, M., Hughes, E. M., Chitiyo, G., Changara, D. M., Itimu-Phiri, A., Haihambo, C., ..., & Dzenga, C. G. (2019). Exploring teachers' special and inclusive education professional development needs in Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. International Journal of Whole Schooling. 15(1), 28-49.
Clark-Howard, K. (2019). Inclusive education: How do New Zealand secondary teachers understand inclusion and how does this understanding influence their practice? Kairaranga. 20(1), 46-57.
Dadandi, I., & Dadandi, P. U. (2015). Turkish teachers' opinions of the problems they face in the classroom of students with learning disabilities. Pegem Eğitim ve Öğretim Dergisi. 5(5), 509-532.
Dovigo, F. (2020). Through the eyes of inclusion: An evaluation of video analysis as a reflective tool for student teachers within special education. European Journal of Teacher Education43(1), 110-126.
Hai, N. X., Villa, R. A., Thousand, J. S., & Muc, P. M. (2020). Inclusion in Vietnam: More than a quarter century of implementation. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. 12(3), 257-264.
Hauerwas, L. B., & Mahon, J. (2018). Secondary teachers’ experiences with students with disabilities: examining the global landscape. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 22(3), 306-322.
İlik, Ş. Ş., & Hacieminoglu, E. (2019). Evaluation of elementary science teachers’ perceptions regarding inclusive education applications. Journal of Education and Training Studies. 7(10), 19-29.
Jenson, K. (2018). A global perspective on teacher attitudes towards inclusion: Literature review. Online Submission, Non-Journal. ED585094.
Kalyva, E., Gojkovic, D., & Tsakiris, V. (2007). Serbian teachers' attitudes towards inclusion. International Journal of Special Education22(3), 31-36.
Kern, E. (2006). Survey of teacher attitude regarding inclusive education within an urban school district. PhD Dissertation in Psychology. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Department of Psychology. United State.
Klibthong, S., & Agbenyega, J. S. (2020). Inclusive early childhood settings: analyses of the experiences of Thai early childhood teachers. International Education Studies. 13(1), 21-31.
Koegel, L., Matos-Freden, R., Lang, R., & Koegel, R. (2012). Interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive school settings. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 19(3), 401-412.
Krischler, M., Powell, J. J., & Pit-Ten Cate, I. M. (2019). What is meant by inclusion? On the effects of different definitions on attitudes toward inclusive education. European Journal of Special Needs Education. 34(5), 632-648.
López López, M. C., & La Malfa, S. (2020). Perceptions of compulsory education teachers about cultural diversity: A study in the city of Messina. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research. 9(1), 28-42.
Malki, S., & Einat, T. (2018). To include or not to include—This is the question: Attitudes of inclusive teachers toward the inclusion of pupils the intellectual disabilities in elementary schools. Education, Citizenship and Social Justice. 13(1), 65-80.
Maulida, R., Atika, I. N., & Kawai, N. (2020). The pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education: An empirical study in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education. 11(1), 65-73.
Messiou, K. (2017). Research in the field of inclusive education: Time for a rethink? International ـJournal of Inclusive Education. 21(2), 146-159.
Mezquita-Hoyos, Y. N., Sanchez-Monroy, M. H., Morales-Martinez, G. E., Lopez-Ramirez, E. O., & Reyna-Gonzalez, M. D. R. (2018). Regular and special education Mexican teachers' attitudes toward school inclusion and disability. European Journal of Educational Research. 7(3), 421-430.
Miesera, S., DeVries, J. M., Jungjohann, J., & Gebhardt, M. (2019). Correlation between attitudes, concerns, self-efficacy and teaching intentions in inclusive education evidence from German pre-service teachers using international scales. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. 19(2), 103-114.
Moberg, S., Muta, E., Korenaga, K., Kuorelahti, M., & Savolainen, H. (2020). Struggling for inclusive education in Japan and Finland: teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. European Journal of Special Needs Education. 35(1), 100-114.
Odongo, G., & Davidson, R. (2016). Examining the attitudes and concerns of the Kenyan teachers toward the inclusion of children with disabilities in the general education classroom: A mixed methods study. International Journal of Special Education31(2), 1-30.
Özsirkinti, D., & Akay, C. (2019). The effectiveness of pilot in-service training program developed on inclusive practices for preschool teachers. The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies. 75, 17-33.
Pirner, M. L. (2015). Inclusive education–A Christian perspective to an ‘overlapping consensus’. International Journal of Christianity & Education. 19(3), 229-239.
Pivik, J., McComas, J., & Laflamme, M. (2002). Barriers and facilitators to inclusive education. Exceptional Children. 69(1), 97-107.
Priyadarshini, S. S., & Thangarajathi, S. (2017). Effect of selected variables on regular school teachers attitude towards inclusive education. Journal on Educational Psychology. 10(3), 28-38.
Razali, N. M., Toran, H., Kamaralzaman, S., Salleh, N. M., & Yasin, M. H. M. (2013). Teachers' perceptions of including children with autism in a preschool. Asian Social Science. 9(12), 261-267.
Ruijs, N. M., & Peetsma, T. T. (2009). Effects of inclusion on students with and without special educational needs reviewed. Educational Research Review. 4(2), 67-79.
Sahan, G. (2021). An evaluation of pre-service teachers' competences and views regarding inclusive education. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies. 9(1), 150-158.
Salend, S. J., & Garrick Duhaney, L. M. (1999). The impact of inclusion on students with and without disabilities and their educators. Remedial and Special Education. 20(2), 114-126.
Saloviita, T. (2020). Teacher attitudes towards the inclusion of students with support needs. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs20(1), 64-73.
Shani, M., & Koss, C. (2015). Role perceptions of school administration team members concerning inclusion of children with disabilities in elementary general schools in Israel. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 19(1), 71-85.
Sharma, J., & Trory, H. (2019). Parents' attitudes to inclusive education: A study conducted in early years settings in inclusive mainstream schools in Bangkok, Thailand. International Journal of Special Education33(4), 877-893.
Shin, M., Ok, M. W., Kang, E. Y., & Bryant, D. P. (2019). Korean elementary school teachers’ implementation of mathematics instruction for students struggling to learn mathematics in inclusive settings. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. 19(2), 145-157.
Simsek, Ü., & Kilcan, B. (2019). Inclusive education through the eyes of teachers. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies. 6(3), 27-37.
Slavica, P. (2010). Inclusive education: Proclamations or reality (primary school teachers' view). Online Submission. 7(10), 62-69.
Solone, C. J., Thornton, B. E., Chiappe, J. C., Perez, C., Rearick, M. K., & Falvey, M. A. (2020). Creating collaborative schools in the United States: A review of best practices. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. 12(3), 283-292.
Štemberger, T., & Kiswarday, V. R. (2018). Attitude towards inclusive education: The perspective of Slovenian preschool and primary school teachers. European Journal of Special Needs Education. 33(1), 47-58.
Stevens, L., & Wurf, G. (2020). Perceptions of inclusive education: A mixed methods investigation of parental attitudes in three Australian primary schools. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 24(4), 351-365.
SuryantiTambunan, A. R. (2018). Readiness of general elementary schools to become inclusive elementary schools: A preliminary study in Indonesia. International Journal of Special Education. 33(2), 366-381.
Tahir, K., Doelger, B., & Hynes, M. (2019). A Case Study on the Ecology of Inclusive Education in the United States. Journal for Leadership and Instruction18(1), 17-24.
Tambunan, A. R. S., & Rachmadtullah, R. (2018). Elementary school teachers’ perceptions of public inclusive elementary school readiness formation. International Journal of Special Education. 33(3), 732-744.
Unianu, E. M. (2012). Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences33, 900-904.
Van Tran, C., Pham, M. M., Mai, P. T., Le, T. T., & Nguyen, D. T. (2020). Inclusive education for students with autism spectrum disorder in elementary schools in Vietnam: The current situation and solutions. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. 12(3), 265-273.
Väyrynen, S., & Paksuniemi, M. (2020). Translating inclusive values into pedagogical actions. International Journal of Inclusive Education24(2), 147-161.
Yazicioglu, T. (2020). Determining the views of school principals and guidance teachers on inclusive practices at Anatolian high-schools. Journal of Education and Learning. 9(1), 87-98.
Volume 12, Issue 4
February 2022
Pages 227-250
  • Receive Date: 12 March 2021
  • Revise Date: 06 May 2021
  • Accept Date: 12 May 2021
  • First Publish Date: 26 January 2022
  • Publish Date: 20 February 2022