Exploring the Views and Beliefs of Parents of Typically Developing Children about Inclusion and Inclusive Education

Autor/inn/en	Vlachou, Anastasia; Karadimou, Stella; Koutsogeorgou, Eleni
Titel	Exploring the Views and Beliefs of Parents of Typically Developing Children about Inclusion and Inclusive Education
Quelle	In: Educational Research, 58 (2016) 4, S.384-399 (16 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0013-1881
DOI	10.1080/00131881.2016.1232918
Schlagwörter	Inclusion; Disabilities; Parent Attitudes; Mainstreaming; Foreign Countries; Semi Structured Interviews; Educational Policy; Greece + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Inklusion; Handicap; Behinderung; Elternverhalten; Ausland; Politics of education; Bildungspolitik; Griechenland
Abstract	Background: The inclusion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SENDs) in regular classrooms has been identified as a high priority in many policy documents published by both European and international organisations. Its implementation, however, is influenced by a number of factors, some of which are directly related to the participation and attitudes of different stakeholders, including parents of typically developing children. Parents, as a social group, can act in favour of inclusion or they can support more segregated educational environments. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore, in a Greek context, the views and beliefs of parents of typically developing children about different aspects of the education of children with disabilities, with a particular focus on inclusion and inclusive education. Method: Interviews were held with 40 Greek parents representing 40 typically developing school-aged children who were educated in six different primary education schools, from the broader area of central Greece. All of the children, at the time of the study, were educated in mainstream classes, in which an in-classroom support system was applied. Open-ended interview questions focused on parents' views and beliefs about the implementation of inclusive educational programmes. Data were analysed according to the principles of an inductive data-driven approach. Findings: The research findings indicate that most of the participant parents did not feel informed about specific school policy practices relevant to inclusive education; they were not aware of the notion of "inclusion" or approached inclusion from an integrationist point of view. Within this context, they hold positive to neutral attitudes towards inclusion, on the basis that a child with SENDs can cope with the school requirements. Conclusions: This small-scale, exploratory research study suggests the importance of informing and involving parents of typically developing children in efforts to promote more inclusive practices. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01