Examination of Chinese Teachers' Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education

The purpose of this study was to understand the status and influential factors of preschool teachers' attitudes towards inclusive education, given the evidence that attitudes predict successful inclusion for young children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. We translated the Multidimensional Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education Scale (MATIES, Mahat, 2008) to Simplified Chinese (MATIES-C). We then administered the MATIE-C to a representative sample of in-service preschool teachers (N = 481) in Beijing, China. The confirmative factor analysis and reliability tests suggested an acceptable construct validity and internal reliability of the MATIES-C. We also found preschool teachers in Beijing held positive attitudes towards inclusion across cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of attitudes. The ANOVA results indicate teachers' experience and knowledge about children with disabilities had statistically positive associations with favorable attitudes. Preschool area, teacher age, and educational background were also found to have a statistically significant impact on teacher attitudes.

Social, Systemic, Individual-Medical or Cultural? Questionnaire on the Concepts of Disability Among Teacher Education Students

The individual-medical concept of disability, whereby disability is believed to be caused by some intractable impairment, is perhaps the most widely held view in society. However, other concepts exist with which teachers in inclusive schools should be familiar (e.g., social, systemic), to better inform teacher behavior, attitudes and understanding. We therefore developed an instrument to capture education students’ concepts of disability. We constructed the questionnaire according to four theoretical models of disability (individual-medical, social, systemic, and cultural concepts), which are commonly used in inclusive teacher education, and validated this on a sample of 775 education students. Additionally, we administered the Attitudes towards Inclusion Scale (AIS) and measured key demographic variables. The instruments, data and analysis code used are available online at https://osf.io/dm4cs/. After dropping redundant items, a shortened form of the questionnaire contained 16 items, with satisfactory psychometric values for scales pertaining to four concepts of disability (CFI = 0.963, TLI = 0.955, RMSEA = 0.037, SRMR = 0.039). These four concepts of disability showed small correlations with the AIS, indicating that our questionnaire measured an independent construct. The more experience education students had with disability and the more courses they had attended on inclusive education, the more likely they were to agree with the social concept of disability. The questionnaire shows promise in measuring concepts of disability and might be used to stimulate students’ critical reflection during teacher education.

Raising People With Special Needs

People with disabilities, who represent a significant part of the population of today's world, are still on the margins of social goods and values because of the attitudes of people who are not. Although, in earlier social eras, they were observed mainly from the point of view of social possibilities of existence, the appearance of significant world documents, and affirmations on the labour market, these attitudes changed somewhat. Nevertheless, in many countries of the world, the upbringing and education of children and young people with disabilities is burdened with numerous difficulties and problems. This chapter will help students, professionals, and others interested in these problems to get to know them and thus enrich their cognitive, emotional, social, and work competencies that may be needed to work with them. It will help them in practical application at all levels of their education, which will contribute to strengthening positive attitudes towards inclusion.

Can self-efficacy mediate between knowledge of policy, school support and teacher attitudes towards inclusive education?

Background While research has focused on understanding teachers’ attitudes towards the inclusion of children with special educational needs into general education classrooms, there are lacunae that have yet to be addressed. This study examined the association between perceived self-efficacy and attitudes towards inclusion among elementary school teachers. The study also examined the role of teachers’ self-efficacy as a mediating variable between knowledge of inclusion policy, perception of school support and teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion. Methods Teachers (N = 352) working in general or special education schools completed questionnaires assessing attitudes towards inclusion, sense of self-efficacy, knowledge of current policy, and perception of support for inclusive practices. Results Higher perceived knowledge of inclusion policy and higher perceived school support of inclusion were both related to higher self-efficacy regarding inclusion, which, in turn, was related to more positive attitudes about inclusion. Conclusion Our results suggest that point to being knowledgeable regarding local and national policy is important in order to increase feelings of self-efficacy regarding the implementation of effective educational practice. To enhance inclusion, local and national policy must be clearly communicated to teachers. Furthermore, leadership and a supportive school environment are conducive to successful inclusive education.

IDENTIFICATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS INCLUSION IN KOSOVO: THE ROLE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Inclusion is at the center of interest of international institutions and associations and is considered as one of the main challenges facing education systems worldwide. According to different studies for the implementation of inclusive practices, positive attitudes of teachers are essential in the successful implementation of this change in education. The aim of this paper was to research the elementary teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education and to identify factors that influence their attitudes, such as: gender, age, training for inclusive education, level of education, educational experience, and experience with children with special needs. The methodology of the study is quantitative method. The population of this study include teachers of elementary level of education in the Kosovo and the sample include 300 respondents, who were surveyed with the Teachers’ Attitudes towards Inclusion Scale (TAIS). The research findings have shown that the attitudes of primary school teachers towards inclusive education are below the neutral middle point. The findings have confirmed that the demographic variables have a moderate impact on teachers' attitudes, too. A slightly higher impact is noticed while they have been part of trainings and their experience on working with students, who are considered with special needs has also helped in raising awareness.

Empirical investigation into teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education: A study of future faculty of Qatari schools

Disabled students are capable of learning and growing equally to normal students, therefore the educational infrastructure of many developed countries is inclined towards an inclusive educational system. However, such students, unfortunately, are not treated well in developing countries where teachers’ attitudes are a key hindrance to an inclusive education system. This study assesses future faculty attitudes towards inclusive education in Qatari independent schools. A mixed population from Arabic studies, Islamic studies, English language, social studies, mathematics, and science sections of both primary and secondary programmes are selected from the College of Education at Qatar University. The Questionnaire of Attitudes towards Inclusion (QAI) is designed for populations of all genders and sections. Data are analysed statistically initially using the t-test and, later with descriptive statistics in SPSS software. The research findings suggests that future faculty show a positive attitude concerning with inclusive education. However, this attitude toward teaching special children varies which depends on the severity of disability and the nature. Further, teachers prefer to teach mild special children for instance those with learning disabilities. Additionally, the findings reveal no substantial differences in future faculty attitudes to special children in inclusive education with respect to gender or specialization. The study emphasizes the importance of academic and psychological preparation of teachers in Qatari independent schools to understand the nature of disability and motivate them to enhance their acceptance of children with disabilities. Keywords: Disabled students, inclusive education, Qatari independent schools, special education, teaching attitude