Teachers' attitudes toward the implementation of inclusion, with emphasis on the collaboration element
by Grahn, Kimberly A., Ed.D., WALDEN UNIVERSITY, 2007, 178 pages; 3274725

Abstract:

The inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom is common practice in American education, but most research has focused on instruction. Therefore, this mixed methods research approach with a concurrent triangulation strategy examined teachers' attitudes toward inclusion and collaboration. A quantitative survey and open ended questions were used to determine if a difference of attitudes existed between general education and special education teachers, veteran teachers and those with less years of experience, and teachers with varying levels of education, toward inclusion and collaboration practices. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the data for the survey questions and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine any differences between the groups studied. Responses from the open ended questions were grouped by categories and descriptive statistics in the form of percentages were used to analyze the qualitative data. There was a significant difference in attitudes toward collaboration between special education and general education teachers, veteran teachers and those with less years of experience, and teachers with varying levels of education. School administrators could utilize this information to create professional development programs geared toward increasing positive attitudes toward inclusion and collaboration. Teacher preparation programs in colleges can utilize the results to support changes in their programs to better serve future teachers.

 
AdviserElla Benson
SchoolWALDEN UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/A 68-07, p. , Dec 2007
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsSpecial education; Teacher education
Publication Number3274725
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