This study examined attitudes of general education teachers, special education teachers, and building administrators relative to inclusive practices. Using survey methodology, the level of agreement or disagreement of teachers' and administrators' attitude towards inclusive practices was measured in four areas: Planning, Classroom/School Environment, Collaboration/Team Partners, and Resources/Support/Professional Development. A purposeful sampling of participants, including 47 teachers and principals representing 30 elementary schools from a large urban school district in southern Maryland, voluntarily completed an Inclusive Practices Survey. The survey measured teacher and administrator attitude using a 22-item, five-point Likert scale. The quantitative questions were augmented by five qualitative questions that were an extension of select quantitative items. The data was analyzed using t-test, frequency distribution, Chi-Square-Cross Tabulation bivariate statistical test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Analyses revealed a significant difference between special educators and building administrators in reference to Collaboration/Team Partners. Overall, a majority of the responses for both teachers and administrators were in the strongly agree and agree somewhat categories. Comparison of the results for each of the groups separately exposed that building administrators chose the highest rating of strongly agree more frequently than did the total group. General education teachers selected strongly disagree at double the rate of special education teachers and triple the rate of administrators. Results support other researchers' findings, which indicate that principals' attitudes toward inclusion were encouraging and have an influential impact on school-wide policy and practices. Implications surfaced from the findings to signify students with and without disabilities working together collaboratively, general education teachers and special education teachers sharing the responsibility for behavior management and administration, and providing ongoing support to teachers, school teams can provide the foundation for strong inclusive practices, which may positively impact the levels of academic achievement, enhance students social skills, and improve school culture and acceptance of all.

The purpose of this research study was to examine the relationship between the change process for inclusive teaching practices and the attitudes of educators toward inclusion of students with disabilities in the general educational setting. This research study was based upon the theoretical construct of Rogers' (2003) Diffusion of Innovations, which identifies the specific process in which any innovation is introduced within a social organization. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the quantitative data collected from teachers and administrators from school districts. Teachers and administrators completed the Opinions Relative to the Integration of Students with Disabilities (ORl; Antonak & Larrivee, 1995) and the Change Process Survey (CPS; Keaster, 2007). The ORl assessed the educators' attitudes toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general classroom across four constructs. In addition, the CPS measured participants' responses to the change process in regards to the implementation of inclusion within the schools. The sample consisted of 96 educators (83 teachers and 13 administrators) from 7 schools within a geographical region of south central Kentucky. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and inferential analysis consisting of both parametric and nonparametric methodologies: t-test for independent samples, Mann-Whitney U test, and ANOVA. The results indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between the change process constructs and the educators' attitudes toward the inclusive innovation. However, teachers' attitudes varied significantly as compared to administrators' perceptions of teachers' attitudes, as teachers indicated the need for further training on inclusion in order for the program to be successful. This research contributes to the education field by highlighting the necessity for both teacher preparation programs and school districts to infuse their programs with training on topics of special education, particularly on the inclusive teaching practices for students with disabilities. The results also point out the importance of attention to all parts of the change process when any innovation is introduced in educational settings.

CEC wrote the book on special education ... literally. CEC s famous red book details the ethics, standards, and guidelines for special education preparation and practice. Delineating both knowledge and skill sets and individual content standards, What Every Special Educator Must Know is an invaluable resource for special education administrators, institutional faculty developing curriculum, state policy makers evaluating licensure requirements, and special educators planning their professional growth.

Inclusion in the classroom is a growing phenomenon that covers a range of areas and subjects; with prominent discussions about race, gender, sexual orientation, and age, today’s world is increasingly focused on making sure education is designed so everyone can succeed. Inclusivity in special education is particularly important as special education covers a wide range of students, including those with physical, intellectual, and behavioral disabilities. As more research and information surrounding best practices, new technologies, and teacher education for special education is considered, it is imperative that teachers and administrators remain up to date on these innovative techniques. The Research Anthology on Inclusive Practices for Educators and Administrators in Special Education is a critical reference source that includes abundant research on all aspects of inclusion in special education as well as the latest trends, research, and studies to provide a comprehensive look at the current state of special education. Covering topics such as accessibility, educational models, teacher training, and assistive technologies, it is ideal for special education teachers, academicians, in-service teachers, pre-service teachers, professors, students, researchers, professionals, administrators, curriculum developers, instructional designers, and policymakers.

An essential handbook for educating students in the 21st century, since its initial publication A Principal's Guide to Special Education has provided guidance to school administrators seeking to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The third edition of this invaluable reference, updated in collaboration with and endorsed by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals and incorporating the perspectives of both teachers and principals, addresses such current issues as teacher accountability and evaluation, instructional leadership, collaborative teaching and learning communities, discipline procedures for students with disabilities, and responding to students' special education needs within a standards-based environment.