Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study uses Q Methodology and semi-structured interviews to examine general education teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about inclusion of students with disabilities in their general education classrooms. As reported in the 38th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, 2016, 94.8% of students with disabilities are being educated in general education classrooms for some part of the school day (U.S. Department of Education, 2016). For this reason, it is important to understand general education teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about the inclusion of students with disabilities.\nIn this study there were 50 Q sort statements describing the spectrum of attitudes about inclusion. The study included 15 voluntary participants who are general education teachers at the middle school level. The Q sort data was analyzed using PQMethod software (Release 2.35; Schmolck, 2014). This analysis resulted in three distinct points of view about inclusion: Believers, Non-Believers and True Believers. The Believers and True believes both supported full inclusion. Believers felt the need for more professional development on inclusive practices. The Non-Believers did not support full inclusion for all students with disabilities. The findings suggest that more professional development on inclusive practices is necessary to ensure that all general education teachers are properly prepared to support students with disabilities in their general education classrooms.
Author: Larry D. Monje
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2729444394