The purpose of this exploratory study was to analyze the perception of 60 elementary and middle school regular classroom teachers, from four selected Lebanese Private Schools that have an inclusion program, towards inclusion. A survey, consisting of eleven close-ended research questions was used to assess teachers' perception of inclusion in general, their theoretical and practical preparedness for inclusion, the administrative and academic support being made available to them, and the different challenges that face inclusion. In addition, ten of the 60 participants were selected to answer a seven-question semi-structured interview related to their everyday experience of inclusion. Participants' responses were analyzed using a thematic analysis in which four organizing themes were delineated (perception of inclusion, support, potentials and challenges), allowing for the further emergence of several recurrent basic themes. The overall analysis revealed that the majority of regular class ...

The attitudes of school principals, heads of divisions, coordinators, teachers and other school staff on disabilities, affect the placement of students with special educational needs in schools. In addition to their placements, these attitudes affect the way these students are likely to be treated, and whether their right to receive quality education will be respected. In this non-experimental quantitative study, the researcher explored attitudes of private school principals about inclusion of students with special educational needs in the general education classrooms. Principals of 28 private schools (17 within the capital city Beirut and 11 outside the city) from different genders and age groups, with different experience in the field of education, answered the questions of the Principals' Attitudes toward Inclusive Education (PATIE) questionnaire (a 5-point Likert-type scale). Statistical analysis (t-test) revealed a positive attitude among the participants towards inclusion of students with disabilities without any statistically significant influence or difference among them, regardless of the principal's gender, age, location of the school, or years of experience in the educational field.

This study is particularly concerned with Lebanese general education early childhood teachers serving in the private sector, and its aim was focused on exploring their experience-based (a) attitudes (cognitive, affective, and behavioral components) towards including early years children with disabilities in general education classrooms and (b) views regarding the kind of academic and professional support they need for advancing their instructional inclusive practices. Additionally, the study adopted the qualitative methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which purposefully sought a profound examination and interpretation of teachers ways of making meaning of their experiences associated with inclusive education. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews was the primary data collection method used, but a Teacher Profile Questionnaire was also employed as a supportive data collection instrument. The study sample consisted of 4 in-service early childhood teac ...

This book addresses the impact of inclusion on the performance of students with and without special needs in Lebanese schools. It examines the performance of regular students to the performance of students with learning disabilities (LD) and gifted students as perceived by them to identify the population that is best served by inclusion. The book investigates three domains affecting student performance in inclusive settings: management and organization. Teaching and learning, and student support and school ethos. In addition, it compares the ways in which these domains affect student performance for each population. In addition, the book presents a detailed description of the inclusive practices that affect student performance and the indicators that contribute most positively to fostering the performance of regular students, gifted students, and students with LD. Finally, it describes the inclusion model applied and proved empirically to affect the positive performance of all student groups as a response to the increasing call for inclusive schooling in Lebanon. Key areas of coverage include: Inclusive education, social justice, and equity in Lebanese schools. Student perceptions of inclusion in Lebanon. Inclusion of gifted learners and students with learning disabilities. Comparison of student performance among different populations in inclusive settings. Domains affecting student performance in inclusive settings. Proposed model of student inclusion in Lebanese schools. School Inclusion in Lebanon is an essential resource for researchers, professionals and policymakers, and graduate students in such interrelated fields as school psychology, inclusive education / educational psychology, and social work.

At the midway point towards the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030, this critical volume focuses on how a range of contextually diverse countries are progressing towards inclusive education. Contributors critically consider the current state of inclusive education in their own countries in relation to meeting the UN’s Agenda 2030 initiative and Sustainable Development Goal 4. The foundation is set in chapter one by the editors, with a historical overview of inclusion and inclusive policies globally. Key international scholars critique the history and status of inclusion in their respective contexts. In reference to local research, they explore the history of inclusion, the current policies and state of inclusion, barriers and levers for inclusion, and look towards the future of inclusive education. Chapters demonstrate how the continued call for a shift towards inclusive education in different countries is extremely complex and varies greatly within each international context. Attention is given to levers promoting inclusion through contextually appropriate international initiatives and the importance of the realignment of policies and practices if all countries are to achieve the 2030 UN’s education goal. Progress Toward Agenda 2030 serves to challenge all educational stakeholders to critically consider, analyze, and innovate policies and practices for inclusive education for all by 2030.

The Disabilities Education Act was introduced in June, 1997 in the Turkish Education System. The Act states that schools have a duty to educate children with disabilities in general education classrooms. All children with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled children at their own age and have access to the general education curriculum. The philosophy of inclusive education aims at helping all children learn in regular classrooms. Children learn at their own pace and style within a nurturing learning environment because schools are important places for children to develop friendships and learn social skills. Children with and without disabilities learn together and from each other in inclusive classes. On the other hand, when children attend classes that reflect the similarities and differences of people in the real world, they learn to appreciate diversity. The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions of teachers about implementation of inclusive education in elementary schools. In order to collect data for this study, a questionnaire which consisted of eight open-ended questions was developed and administered to 66 elementary school teachers. The teachers worked at primary schools and taught 1-5 grades. They were asked to write their opinions and experiences about the implementation of inclusive education in the elementary schools. Primary school teachers generally have a positive attitude about inclusive education and its philosophical and psychological foundation. However, they express that they encounter some difficulties in implementing inclusive classrooms. A crowded classroom is a main obstacle to obtain desired objectives in educational activities. The levels of students' disability are related to effectiveness of classroom management. The effectiveness of inclusive education depends on not only the teachers' quality but also the school administrators'. Some superintendents assess the effectiveness of teachers in inclusive and regular classrooms in the same way. [This study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).] (Contains 8 tables.).