ERIC Number: EJ760316
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 17
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-0343
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Inclusion in Australia: What Teachers Say They Need and What School Psychologists Can Offer
Anderson, Colin J. K.; Klassen, Robert M.; Georgiou, George K.
School Psychology International, v28 n2 p131-147 2007
This article examines the inclusion-related beliefs and perceived needs of primary teachers in Australia, and proposes ways that school psychologists can help meet these needs. Forced-choice and open-ended survey questions provided quantitative and qualitative data from 162 primary school teachers who were in the midst of implementing an inclusive education program in a large urban/suburban education district in Western Australia. Survey questions focused on beliefs about inclusion, confidence about implementing inclusive practices and attitudes about current and necessary support structures. The majority of teachers perceive benefits (85 percent) as well as drawbacks (95 percent) to teaching in inclusive classrooms. Only 10 percent of teachers noted school psychologists as part of structures that successfully support inclusive practices and only 4 percent of teachers requested additional school psychology time as a support structure needed to boost confidence to teach more inclusively. Qualitative data showed that teachers want more training in specific disabilities as well as additional aide time. We conclude that school psychologists need to be more proactive and involved in providing training, disseminating research, developing behaviour and learning plans and advocating for teachers.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, School Psychology, Inclusive Schools, School Psychologists, Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Surveys, Teacher Attitudes, Disabilities, Teacher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: Counselors
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A