School educators' attitudes about inclusion in India

ISBN-13: 9783639210361 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 272 str.

Umesh Sharma

Opis

Attitudes to inclusion in India. This study was undertaken to explore the attitudes and concerns of primary school principals and teachers regarding the integration of students with disabilities into regular school programs in Delhi, India and, to determine whether there were significant differences between them regarding such attitudes and concerns. Additionally, the study sought to determine whether the attitudes and concerns held by principals and teachers were significantly related to their background variables. Three variables: gender, having a relative with a disability and perceived parental support for integrated education were significant predictors of both principals and teachers concerns about integrated education. In the case of principals, there were two further predictors of their concerns about integrated education viz. age and having a family member with a disability. In the case of teachers, years of teaching experience and perceived level of confidence in teaching students with disabilities emerged as additional predictors of their concerns. Implications of the findings for policy makers, educators and future researchers are discussed.

O autorze

Dr Sharma is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. Dr. Sharma has extensive experience of working in both both developed (e.g. Canada, USA) and developing countries. His area of research interest is: changing educator attitudes and practices, positive behaviour support and inclusive and curricular strategies.