Teachers' Views of Their Preparation for Inclusive Education and Collaboration. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zagona, Alison L.; Kurth, Jennifer A.; MacFarland, Stephanie Z. C.
• Is Part Of: Teacher education and special education. Volume 40:Number 3(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: inclusive education -- inclusion -- collaboration -- teacher preparation; Special education -- Periodicals; Special education teachers -- Training of -- Periodicals; Sonderpädagogik; Lehrerfortbildung; 371.9
• DOI: 10.1177/0888406417692969
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-4064

Abstract

There is a need to advance inclusive education for students with significant disabilities, and one way to support this effort is to ensure educators have expertise in, and are prepared to implement, inclusive practices. We surveyed and interviewed general and special education teachers to understand their experiences and preparation to demonstrate skills associated with inclusive education and collaboration and identify the factors that may contribute to their preparation. There was a relationship between educators' preparedness for inclusive education and whether they have taken university courses or had special training on inclusive education. Analysis of interviews with a subset of participants supported this finding and provided a deeper understanding of the educators' preparation and experiences in implementing inclusive practices for students with significant disabilities.