Therapists’ Perception of their Relationship with Educational Staff In Secondary Inclusive Schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-87
Author(s):  
Meytal Fogel -Simhony

Due to the disparities inherent in the role perception of expressive and creative therapists in the Israeli educational system, and the difficulty of fulfilling the role in an optimal manner for all parties involved, this study aims to examine the role perception of the therapist in secondary schools with inclusive education, examining the therapist’s work vis-a-vis the school’s educational staff and its management team.The sample included 11 therapists who have worked in a secondary school for over two years. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings of the study indicated a number of significant parameters in the therapist's work vis-à-vis the staff. Moreover, it is evident that the therapist's own role perception is related to the role perception as perceived by the educational and management team. The discussion examines the significance of the disparity between the therapist's role perception and the expectations and perceptions of the staff within the educational system.

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Pearce ◽  
Chris Forlin

Children with disabilities are increasingly being included in mainstream classes in Australian schools. In addition, many children with disabilities who are currently enrolled in primary school will be moving to secondary school in the next few years. For secondary schools to meet this challenge, it is important that the reasons for their difficulties are understood and ways of overcoming them are explored. This paper provides a discussion of the specific challenges for secondary schools regarding inclusive education, including the school structure, teaching methods, curriculum, external exams, training and the nature of adolescence. A discussion of a broad range of issues will highlight potential solutions to common concerns in secondary schools. While the inclusion of students with disabilities in secondary schools will undoubtedly identify many challenges, it is argued that these may inspire creative solutions that will benefit all children.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikaela Hermans

It has been increasingly recognised that education plays a key role in addressing human-induced climate change. The ultimate goal of climate change education (CCE) is positive impacts on the climate through both individual and collective actions. The aim of this study is to investigate geography teachers’ and their ninth-graders’ views about CCE. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with geography teachers (N = 13) and questionnaires for ninth-graders (N = 549) at eleven secondary schools from all parts of Swedish-speaking Finland. The results show that although the students’ attitudes to CCE is positive, it does not supply them with action competence. The geography teachers in this study largely miss the ultimate goal of CCE, pointing at the need for more effort to be made in the process of developing CCE at secondary school.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Fuapepe Rimoni

<p>This thesis investigates the experiences of twelve strong, articulate and thoughtful tama Samoa (Samoan boys) through their participation in secondary schools and lives outside the classroom and through the stories of others. The study looked at how the students enacted their identities as Samoans, as learners and as young men who are anticipating the future. The study is premised on the view that Pacific identities are fluid, diverse, multi-dimensional and include a range of different perspectives relating to social class, ethnicity, culture and gender. Such a view of identity as complex is not generally taken into consideration in the literature on educational success and achievement of Pacific students in New Zealand.  The study employed a phenomenological qualitative design, using focus groups and semi-structured interviews by talanoa (conversations). As the study involved a group of indigenous tama Samoa, the Samoan fa’afaletui method was used. Participants were a group of twelve tama Samoa in three Wellington secondary schools and their twelve nominated persons.  The study found that there are key aspects to making the experiences of tama Samoa positive and successful within the secondary school. These include acknowledging tama Samoa and their multiple identities while attending secondary school; supporting the development of a sense of belonging through everyday interactions with peers and teachers, and affirming the belief by tama Samoa that secondary school socialisation serves to help them make future decisions.  This study argues that the experiences of tama Samoa are deeply embedded within wider social, economic and political trends. Indeed, their “voices” are shaped in part by these broader forces that construct and represent them as being historically “disadvantaged” and socio-economically “underserved.” Further, this study advocates for the diverse voices of tama Samoa, along with their experiences, stories, hopes, aspirations and dreams to be brought to light and placed alongside the official accounts of Pacific “disadvantage” to enable more balanced critical discourses taking place.  It is hoped that this study will offer further insights into the experiences of tama Samoa in the New Zealand secondary school context, from which valuable knowledge is derived to inform and support schools in improving the New Zealand secondary school experiences of Samoan adolescent boys.</p>


Author(s):  
E Booth ◽  
V Halliday ◽  
R J Cooper

ABSTRACT Background Secondary schools are an important setting for preventing obesity in adolescence. Headteachers and chairs of governors are identified in national guidance as crucial stakeholders for school-based preventative action. Despite this, their views remain unexplored and unrepresented. Methods A sequential mixed method study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of 22 secondary school headteachers and chairs of governors in England. Data were thematically analysed and informed the development of a descriptive cross-sectional survey, completed by 127 participants from the same population. Results Unhealthy dietary and sedentary behaviours were viewed as a more significant problem than adolescent obesity. Obesity was perceived as complex and multi-causal, and a range of stakeholders were deemed to have responsibility for its prevention, most notably parents. Support was identified for the role of secondary schools, although this was not an explicit priority and extensive internal and external barriers exist, which hinder preventative action. Conclusions Whilst secondary school settings in England remain an important setting for the prevention of adolescent obesity, it is crucial for policy makers and public health professionals to recognize the factors affecting school leaders’ ability and willingness to contribute to this agenda.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsie Prabawa-Sear ◽  
Vanessa Dow

AbstractThis research was commissioned by the (then) Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to provide recommendations on how to best support Western Australian (WA) secondary schools to engage in education for sustainability (EfS). The research aims were to identify barriers and benefits to being involved in EfS, the support systems required for schools to participate in EfS at secondary school level, and the difficulties that secondary schools experience when implementing EfS programs. A variety of research methods were utilised: semi-structured interviews with non-teaching stakeholders; online questionnaires for teachers, school administrators and students; focus groups and semi-structured interviews with teachers and school administrators; and an expert panel workshop to discuss data and recommendations prior to completion of a final report. Data were collected from 29 schools, 45 teachers and school administrators, 186 students, and various EfS external providers and stakeholders across metropolitan and regional WA. This article focuses on three issues identified in the data that we consider important and under-represented in discourses of EfS in Australia: lack of understanding about what EfS means among educators; lack of meaningful student involvement in EfS in secondary schools; and differing quality in EfS programs offered by external providers. We conclude this article by offering ways to improve EfS in WA secondary schools.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-73
Author(s):  
O.M. TORIOLA

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.In many countries, a major rationale for curriculum design in physical education is that it promotes a physically active lifestyle among the youths and provides a basis for the development of fundamental sports skills. Access to physical education and sport is not only a fundamental human right but it also promotes health, desirable social attitudes and values. Based on the above rationale physical education was introduced to Botswana secondary schools in 1999. In this study, the Botswana secondary school physical education curriculum was analysed regarding its potential role in sports development in the country. Structured interviews were carried out with Principals of selected public secondary schools in which physical education is a teaching subject and the curriculum development unit in the Ministry of Education. Results were discussed in the following specific areas: curriculum content analysis, implementation problems, time allocation, provision of teaching and learning resources, funding, personnel, opportunities for competitive sport participation and assessment procedures. Problems affecting the teaching of physical education in Botswana were also discussed and possible solutions proffered. Finally, analysis of implications of the physical education curriculum for sport development in Botswana was presented.體育運動對學童成長過程非常重要,本文旨在探討非洲波斯尼亞中學體育課程,從多方面分析體育課程與體育運動發展的關係,透過與校長及敎育部長面談,了解影響體育運動發展的原因。


Author(s):  
Muhammad Jahanzaib ◽  
Ghulam Fatima ◽  
Dur e Nayab

Man is the most civilized and enlightened creation of Allah. Man and women formulate the basic unit of civilization. A comparison about provision of rights and facilities in every field of life has been going on since their creation. Nowadays inclusive education has proved a successful educational system for persons with disabilities. In this study, researchers have tried to explore difference between inclusive education facilities in male and female secondary schools of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. In order to attain this goal the survey technique was used to collect the data from 196 male and female secondary school teachers working in rural and urban secondary schools conveniently selected from five districts viz Okara, Sahiwal, Lahore, Pakpattan and Kasur by a self developed and validated questionnaire i.e. Research Questionnaire about the Condition of Available Inclusive Education Facilities and Opportunities in Secondary Schools of Punjab. For cross validation of data, interview schedule was used to collect data from 17 secondary school students with disabilities. Both the descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the collected data. This study describes that there is no significant difference in inclusive education facilities between male and female secondary schools. Moreover special students denied provision of inclusive education facilities as claimed by the teachers. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made.


2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-456
Author(s):  
Bernard Moswela ◽  
Keonyatse Kgosidialwa

This paper explored two issues as follows: the influence school leaders have on school performances and factors that hinder school leaders’ efforts to achieve school success in Botswana secondary and primary schools. The subjects of the study were 199 teachers and 21 members of the senior management team in primary and secondary schools in Botswana. The participants were to analyse, through semi-structured interviews and a closed-ended questionnaire, the leadership patterns of their leaders and the barriers to effective leadership in schools. The findings revealed that, generally, leaders in Botswana schools practise democratic leadership although not without barriers. Chief among the barriers are the imposition of policies through numerous directives from the Ministry of Education and drug abuse by students supplied by some adults in society. The study ends with a conclusion that draws from the discussion of the findings and relevant studies to the subject being discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Stack ◽  
Jennifer E. Symonds ◽  
William Kinsella

Objective: Transition from primary school to secondary school is an important point in a young person's development. Children's experiences at transition have been found to have an enduring impact on their social and academic performance and potentially their success or failure at secondary school. This primary-secondary transition frequently presents challenges for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), resulting in uncertainty and anxiety. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of children with ASD, on the topic of which features of school environment fit more or less well with their needs, as they transferred from primary to secondary schools.Method: Semi-structured interviews were used to gather the experiences of 6 students with ASD, and their parents, before and after the transition to secondary school. A thematic analysis of these data identified common themes that captured the fits and misfits between the children's needs and their primary and secondary school environments.Result: Overall, participants voiced more positive perspectives of secondary school than primary school. Data analysis identified themes of feelings about school, peer relationships, relationship with school staff, curriculum, school organization, and accommodations.Conclusion: Inclusion and integration of students with ASD in mainstream secondary schools at transition can be a positive experience when the school environments are a good fit with the individual needs of each child with ASD. The transition can be challenging for children when a one size fits all approach is taken.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoinette Du Preez ◽  
A. Johan Botha ◽  
Tinda Rabie ◽  
Dudu G. Manyathi

Background: The incidence of learner teenage pregnancies can be reduced, provided that the major stakeholders, which include the Department of Education and the Department of Health, combine to address this issue. Despite the implementation of Life Orientation as a school subject, which focuses on sexual behaviour, health, decision-making, pregnancy risk, sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of learner teenage pregnancies at secondary schools remains alarmingly high.Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe teachers’ experiences of learner teenage pregnancies in secondary schools in a province in South Africa.Setting: Secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal.Method: A qualitative approach with exploratory, descriptive and contextual strategies was used in this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers who had been selected through purposive sampling. Tesch’s steps of systematic open coding were used to analyse all of the interviews.Results: The results that emerged during the data analysis indicate that firstly, teachers’ experiences of having pregnant learners in their classrooms are negative as these learners are frequently absent from school, perform badly and drop out of school. Secondly, teachers’ experiences related to unexpected deliveries are coloured by their lack of the necessary skills and competencies to deal and their resultant insecurity. Thirdly, the teachers feel that they do not receive the assistance they need to deal with teenage pregnancies as well as unexpected deliveries.Conclusions: Collaboration between and continuous support from the Department of Health and the Department of Education are crucial if teenage pregnancies at secondary schools are to be handled with greater success. Support from health care personnel should include guidance on contraception and health campaigns should target both the teachers and secondary school learners. Furthermore, coping strategies for the teachers should form part of the preservice curriculum of teachers.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document