Teachers' Beliefs About the Participation of Students With Severe Disabilities in School Clubs. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pence, Alicia R.; Dymond, Stacy K.
• Is Part Of: Research and practice for persons with severe disabilities. Volume 41:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: extracurricular activities -- school clubs -- teacher perceptions -- severe disabilities; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Periodicals; People with mental disabilities -- Periodicals; 305.908
• DOI: 10.1177/1540796915626009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1540-7969

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' beliefs about the participation of students with severe disabilities (SD) in school clubs. Participants were special education teachers ( N = 60) of middle and junior high school students with SD from one state. Data were collected using a survey. Results indicate that teachers value including students in school clubs and believe that students benefit from engaging in club activities, yet they did not view this setting as a place to address curricula. Issues with supports, transportation, and planning were identified as barriers to participation. Prior experience sponsoring a school club positively affected teachers' perceptions of benefits gained from participation.