The structure and properties of the sense of coherence scale

On the assumption that the successful implementation of any inclusive policy is largely dependent on educators being positive about it, a great deal of research has sought to examine teachers' attitudes towards the integration and, more recently, the inclusion of children with special educational needs in the mainstream school. This paper reviews this large body of research and, in so doing, explores a host of factors that might impact upon teacher acceptance of the inclusion principle. The analyses showed evidence of positive attitudes, but no evidence of acceptance of a total inclusion or ‘zero reject’ approach to special educational provision. Teachers' attitudes were found to be strongly influenced by the nature and severity of the disabling condition presented to them (child-related variables) and less by teacher-related variables. Further, educational environment-related variables, such as the availability of physical and human support, were consistently found to be associated with attitudes to incl...

Teachers' attitudes towards integration / inclusion: a review of the literature

The disproportionate discipline of African-American students has been extensively documented; yet the reasons for those disparities are less well understood. Drawing upon one year of middle-school disciplinary data for an urban school district, we explored three of the most commonly offered hypotheses for disproportionate discipline based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Racial and gender disparities in office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions were somewhat more robust than socioeconomic differences. Both racial and gender differences remained when controlling for socioeconomic status. Finally, although evidence emerged that boys engage more frequently in a broad range of disruptive behavior, there were no similar findings for race. Rather, there appeared to be a differential pattern of treatment, originating at the classroom level, wherein African-American students are referred to the office for infractions that are more subjective in interpretation. Implications for teacher training and structural reform are explored.

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The Color of Discipline: Sources of Racial and Gender Disproportionality in School Punishment. Policy Research Report.

The Color of Discipline: Sources of Racial and Gender Disproportionality in School Punishment

Twenty-eight investigations were identified in which general education teachers were surveyed regarding their perceptions of including students with disabilities in their classes. Research synthesis procedures were employed to summarize responses and examine the consistency of responses across time, geographical location, and item type. Overall, we found that about two thirds of general classroom teachers supported the concept of mainstreaming/inclusion. A smaller majority were willing to include students with disabilities in their own classes, but responses appeared to vary according to disabling condition and implicit obligations on the teacher. Although about half or more of the teachers felt that mainstreaming/inclusion could provide some benefits, only one third or less of teachers believed they had sufficient time, skills, training or resources necessary for mainstreaming/inclusion. Reported attitudes did not appear to covary with either geographical region or time of publication. Implications for p...

Teacher Perceptions of Mainstreaming/Inclusion, 1958–1995: A Research Synthesis:

The study examined perceptions of issues associated with inclusive education of 437 parents from a midwestern state in the United States who have a child with a mild, moderate, or severe disability. Parents responded to a modified form of the Opinions Related to Mainstreaming (ORM) Scale (Antonak & Larrivee, 1995) and provided additional written comments. Parents gave strong support to the inclusion concept from a legal and philosophical standpoint. They identified social and emotional outcomes as benefits of inclusion, yet were concerned about possible social isolation, negative attitudes, the quality of instruction, teacher training and skills, and support from teachers and from other parents. Several background variables were related to attitudes. Stronger support for inclusion was given by parents of younger children, children with mild disabilities, parents who reported not knowing their child's education placement, and those with college education. Implications for practices and future research are ...

Evaluating Inclusion: An Examination of Parent Views and Factors Influencing Their Perspectives.

The study examined attitudes towards inclusion and sense of efficacy of 1155 Israeli preservice teachers and variables related to these beliefs. Participants responded to an Options related to inclusion scale, and a Teacher efficacy scale. Findings revealed strong support for the principle of inclusion, yet also support for segregated special education placements. Several concerns regarding inclusion were expressed, which were related to the area of classroom management and teacher instructional skills. Sense of efficacy scores on personal efficacy, social efficacy and efficacy regarding low‐achieving students were higher than those for teaching efficacy. Less support for inclusion was found for students in Arab (Muslim) colleges compared to students in Jewish colleges. These two groups were also different on self‐efficacy scores. The major area of study and experience was associated with the level of support for inclusion and to self‐efficacy scores. The progression in the training programme was associat...

Exploring inclusion preservice training needs: a study of variables associated with attitudes and self‐efficacy beliefs

Attitudes of teachers toward the educational mainstreaming of special needs students in six nations ‐ the United States, Germany, Israel, Ghana, Taiwan, and the Philippines ‐ were compared Also investigated were teacher background variables associated with attitudes toward integration Findings revealed that the most supportive views were expressed by teachers in the United States followed by educators in Germany Attitudes of teachers in the other nations represented mainly a neutral disposition toward mainstreaming The lowest attitude scores were obtained for Israeli non‐kibbutz educators Several variables were associated with attitudes: training in special education, grade level, age, teaching experience, and experience with individuals who are disabled The role that teacher preparation programs and effective mainstreaming practices have in the development of teacher support for integration are discussed

Teacher attitudes toward mainstreaming: a cross‐cultural study in six nations

In this study, the authors examined efficacy beliefs and choices of differentiated instructional strategies needed for effective teaching in inclusive classrooms. Participants included 191 Israeli prospective teachers. They responded to a modified form of the Teacher Efficacy Scale (Gibson & Dembo, 1984) and a 59-item instructional strategies scale. Findings revealed that the Personal Teaching Efficacy factor (PTE) was related to choices of instruction, but the Teaching Efficacy factor (TE) was not. Prospective teachers focusing on junior high education obtained the highest PTE scores compared with those focusing on early childhood and elementary education, and participants focusing on early childhood education obtained the highest TE scores. Participants expressed intent to make adaptations directed toward all students and less willingness to use differentiated instruction.

Efficacy Beliefs, Background Variables, and Differentiated Instruction of Israeli Prospective Teachers

The impact of three variables on the self-efficacy of 992 general and special education preservice teachers was examined. These variables were years of preservice education, experience with children with special educational needs, and training in inclusion or exceptional education. All participants responded to a teacher self-efficacy scale that measured four factors. Findings revealed a main effect for years of preservice education and for major of the academic degree. The main effect for years of preservice education was found only for efficacy for social relations. The main effect for degree major revealed that special education majors had significantly higher scores than regular education majors, on all four factors. A significant main effect for experience and major was also found. Students with much and some experience had significantly higher scores than students with no experience on two factors. Intensity of training was associated with self-efficacy. Students with much and some training had sign...

Yona Leyser

Papers

Evaluating Inclusion: An Examination of Parent Views and Factors Influencing Their Perspectives.

Exploring inclusion preservice training needs: a study of variables associated with attitudes and self‐efficacy beliefs

Teacher attitudes toward mainstreaming: a cross‐cultural study in six nations

Efficacy Beliefs, Background Variables, and Differentiated Instruction of Israeli Prospective Teachers

Changes in Self-efficacy of Prospective Special and General Education Teachers: Implication for inclusive education