scholarly journals An Examination of Inclusive Practices for Students with Learning Disabilities in Botswana: A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 124-143
Author(s):  
Samantha L. Mrstik ◽  
Lisa A. Dieker ◽  
C. Okechukwu Abosi
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Special Education Policy ◽  
Growing Pains ◽  
Special Education Program ◽  
Education Policy Implementation

The country of Botswana has passed laws to support the human rights of their citizens, including people with learning disabilities. In accordance with the United Nations’ guidelines, Botswana’s human rights initiatives, and the international movement toward inclusive education, inclusive educational reform is taking place. We have conducted a comprehensive literature review, the purpose of which was to establish the progress Botswana has made in special education policy, implementation of policy into schools, and the strides made toward inclusion. However, there are still many struggles comparable to many school systems in African nations. Key findings include a nation with significant developments in human rights which includes a developing inclusive education system with both policy and implementation, yet, still coping with the growing pains of a young special education program.

scholarly journals Special Education Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Teaching Students With Learning Disabilities in Middle Schools In Saudi Arabia

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Nora ALHARTHI ◽  
David EVANS
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Middle Schools ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
School Level ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Students With Ld ◽  
Teachers Attitudes

Teachers’ practices are influenced by their attitudes and beliefs (Avramidis & Norwich, 2002). Consequently, a large part of the success of inclusive education depends on teachers’ attitudes. Understanding teachers’ attitudes and beliefs is critical to the development and success of inclusive education practices (Hodkinson, 2005). In Saudi Arabia, limited research has been conducted on teachers’ attitudes and beliefs at the primary school level and no research has been identified that investigates teachers’ attitudes towards teaching students with learning disabilities (LD) at the middle school level. The present study sought to investigate special education teachers’ attitudes towards teaching students with LD in regular classrooms and examine the collaborative efforts that create inclusive classrooms in Saudi public middle schools. The quantitative data were collected through a Likert scale questionnaire. A vignette attached to the questionnaire was used to collect the qualitative data. Fifty-six special education teachers from a range of middle schools in Riyadh completed the questionnaire for this study. The results indicated that special education teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education were positive. There were no significant differences between teachers’ attitudes according to their gender. However, the qualitative findings indicated that special education teachers thought their training was insufficient to meet the educational needs of students with LD in Saudi middle schools. The results of this study suggest that decision makers should consider in-service and pre-service training and education programs for teachers to enhance educational services for students with LD. Teachers should be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills before implementing inclusive education practices. Specifically, teachers need to learn to use evidence-based strategies to serve students with LD in inclusive classrooms and find ways to collaborate with colleagues and parents through on-going professional learning.

scholarly journals EDUCAÇÃO ESPECIAL/INCLUSIVA NO BRASIL: demandas contemporâneas

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Ivanilde Apoluceno de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Education Student ◽  
Special Education Policy ◽  
De Se ◽  
Special Education Student ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Education In Brazil ◽  
Educacion Especial

Neste artigo analisamos as demandas que emergem do processo de implantação da política de inclusão na Educação Especial no Brasil.Demandas referentes a novos sujeitos; a formação e prática, que envolve o debatesobre o currículo, e o atendimento educacional na educação inclusiva. Este estudo tem por base pesquisas realizadas em municípios do Estado do Pará e,também, o levantamento bibliográfico sobre a educação inclusiva no Brasil, incluindo análise de documentos sobre a legislação referente à política da Educação Especial.O estudo aponta que há necessidade de se evidenciar as demandas, problematizar a política, que não atende as especificidades regionais, mas sobretudo, apontar pistas, caminhos teóricos e metodológicos para a inclusão escola e social do aluno público-alvo da Educação Especial.Palavras-chave: Educação Especial. Política de Inclusão. Demandas contemporâneas. SPECIAL EDUCATION / INCLUSIVE IN BRAZIL: conteporary demandsAbstract: In this article we analyze the emerging demands from the implementation process of inclusion policy on Special Education in Brazil. Demands related to new subjects; training and practice, evolving the debate oncurriculum, and educational services in inclusive education. This study is based on surveys conducted in municipalities in the State of Pará and, Also the literature on inclusive education in Brazil, including document analysis onlegislation referring to the Special Education policy. The study points out that there is need to highlight the demands, problematize politics, that does not meet specific regional characteristics, but above all, point out hints, theoretical and methodological approaches to include school and social of the Special Education student audience.Keywords: Special education. Inclusion Policy. Contemporary demands. EDUCACIÓN ESPECIAL/INCLUSIVA EN BRASIL: demandas contemporáneas Resumen: En este artículo analizamos las demandas que surgen del proceso de implementación de la política de inclusión en la Educación Especial en Brasil. Demandas relacionadas con nuevos sujetos, la formación y práctica, que implican el debate sobre el currículo y el atendimiento educativo en la educación inclusiva. Este estudio se basa en investigaciones realizadas en municipios del Estado de Pará y también la literatura sobre la educación inclusiva en Brasil, incluyendo el análisis de documentos de la legislación sobre la política de Educación Especial. El estudio señala que existe la necesidad de poner de relieve las demandas, cuestionar la política, que no cumple con las especificidades regionales, pero, sobre todo, señalar caminos, enfoques teóricos y metodológicos para la inclusión escolar y social del alumno público clave de la Educación Especial.Palabras clave: Educación Especial. Política de Inclusión. Demandas contemporáneas.

Continuity and Change: Special Education Policy Development in Toronto Public Schools, 1945 to the Present

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-42
Author(s):  
Jason Ellis ◽  
Paul Axelrod
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Education Policy ◽  
School Board ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Special Education Policy

Background/Context It is frequently assumed that changes in special education policies since 1945 have come mostly from “landmark research” or actions of a few “pioneers.” We argue in this article that there have been many different sources of change, including legislation, court rulings, activism, and even shifts in socially and historically constructed categories of ability. In contrast to the contention that there has been “a gradual but steady progression towards the present inclusive education,” we argue that remarkable continuity has characterized certain elements of policy as well. The article identifies general trends in special education policy development historically that can help to inform the most current thinking about policy change in special and inclusive education. Purpose How has special education policy developed historically? What factors have been involved? How can historical research help education researchers, policy makers, school personnel, and others to deepen their understanding of the development of policy? The Toronto public school system is examined. The developmental trajectory of special education policy in Canada's largest urban school board generally resembles the development of policy in other large American and Canadian cities. The period from 1945 to the present was selected because the shifting character of special education policy across this broadsweep of time is not well understood. Research Design This qualitative study employs historical analysis. It draws on archival documents, school board and provincial government records, and pertinent secondary sources. Conclusions/Recommendations There are a few identifiable general trends in special education policy development historically. Prior to 1970, local school officials were empowered to make many changes in special education policy; since 1970, this ability has been eroded in favor of centralized policy making, with parents and others possessing some ability to influence policy change. Today, policy makers must balance different contextual factors and stakeholder interests that have developed over time, not least of all the interests of teachers who have been important partners to policy implementation. The degree of “policy talk” about inclusion, and about a social model of disability, has exceeded the degree to which either has actually been implemented. Rather, a continuum of services model that hybridizes segregated and inclusive settings continues today to characterize special education policies, as it has since the 1970s. Money matters in special education policy, especially when it is tied to specific policy options and can therefore influence local policy decisions, but also depending on whether the power to raise and disburse funds is held locally or centrally.

Teaching Geometry to Students With Learning Disabilities: Introduction to the Special Series

2020 ◽  
pp. 073194872095976
Author(s):  
Dake Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Math Education ◽  
Learning Difficulties ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Critical Questions ◽  
Special Series ◽  
Teaching Geometry ◽  
Geometry Learning ◽  
Learning And Instruction

This article introduces and contextualizes the four articles that constitute the thematic special series on geometry instruction for students with learning disabilities or difficulties. The four articles, each emphasizing one important aspect of geometry learning and instruction for students with learning difficulties or disabilities, are aimed to answer critical questions raised by special education/math education researchers and practitioners on how to teach geometry to students with learning disabilities or difficulties.

Staying in School

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry J. Kortering ◽  
Patricia M. Braziel
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
School Dropout ◽  
Mild Mental Retardation ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Secondary Special Education ◽  
Education Resource ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior ◽  
Insight Into

Fifty-two students with learning disabilities (LD), behavior disorders (BD), or mild mental retardation (MMR) answered questions relating to secondary special education resource and self-contained programs. Their responses provided insight into their perceptions about secondary special education and possible improvements. In terms of staying in school and reducing school dropout rates, the most dominant themes suggested a need for the students and teachers to change their attitudes and behavior. Related, but less dominant, themes suggested better textbooks, more help from parents and teachers, and more sports. Students indicated that the best part of school was socializing with peers, a particular class or teacher, and sports, whereas the worst part was being in particular classes, dealing with teachers or administrators, the schoolwork, and getting up so early. As for advantages, 46 students (89%) linked staying in school to an improvement in employment prospects. Conversely, 9 students (17%) perceived doing the schoolwork and limited employment prospects as a disadvantage.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document