This study examined the attitudes of general education teachers and special education teacher of the inclusion classroom in the middle and high school levels. Using casual- comparative and survey methodology, the level of agreement or disagreement of these teachers’ attitudes towards the inclusive procedures was assessed in four areas: Planning, Classroom/School Environment, Collaboration/Team Partners, and Resources/Supports/Professional Development. The survey measured general education teachers and special education teachers in the middle and high school levels using a 19- item, five-point Likert scale. To address the research questions, an ANOVA was initially proposed. However, due to the low sample size of administrators and large sample size of participants having multiple positions, an independent sample t-test was proposed as an alternative. The independent sample t-test was then used to test for differences in attitude toward inclusion scores between general educators and special educators. The findings of the independent sample t-test were not statistically significant, t(58) = -0.05, p = .958, d = 0.02, indicating that there were not significant differences in attitude toward inclusion scores between general educators and special educators. General educators and special educators both had a mean score of 3.93 for attitude toward inclusion. The findings of the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test were also not statistically significant, Z = -0.30, p = .765, further providing evidence of non-significant differences in attitude toward inclusion scores between general educators and special educators.

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The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in middle school general education teachers' perception of the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classes. A survey was sent to general education teachers at 14 middle schools in the Northeast Georgia Pioneer Regional Education Services Agency (RESA). The answers to the survey were compiled and analyzed for the differences in teacher perceptions of inclusion. The two groups were comprised of general education teachers who have taught in inclusive middle school settings and general education teachers who have taught only in traditional middle school settings. The general question addressed in this study was: Are there statistically significant differences in the perceptions of general education teachers that teach in inclusive middle school settings and general education teachers that teach only in traditional middle school settings towards the inclusion of students with disabilities? The researcher used a t-test to determine the statistical significance between the two groups.

General Education Teachers' Perceptions of Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in the Regular Classroom Sharon Ruth Stidham-Smith, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2013 Supervisor: James L. Schaller This exploratory descriptive study was conducted to examine the perceptions of general public school teachers regarding inclusion of students with disabilities in their classroom. Instruments used to measure the concepts studied include an Inclusion Inventory followed by additional open-ended questions. A sample of general education public school teachers, who have had a child with a disability in their classroom, was recruited from a Texas regional school district. The research questions asked about the teachers' educational teams, their grade level assignment, and the number of years taught; followed by open ended questions that included the participants' definition of inclusion, their experiences and challenges, training in inclusion, and the concept of the general education teacher having sole responsibility for all the students in the class. Inclusion teams were found to be an important aspect of this study. The participants reported the success (or lack of success) of their inclusive classroom often depended on their inclusion team. In particular, special education coordination with vii administration support in finding solutions for unacceptable classroom behavior, time management, and class size. Many respondents felt further preservice and inservice training on how this support can be accomplished that includes administration as well as general and special education teachers was one avenue that could help realize an inclusive classroom that was beneficial to all. What exactly would be emphasized in this inclusion training was not stated. The inclusive practices and strategies discussed in this study require further research in order to determine what could be called a 'best practice' in the inclusive classroom.

Prior to federal law PL-94-142, children with disabilities typically were excluded from regular, mainstream classes. This law emphasized the least restrictive environment since research had shown that all children benefited from inclusive learning environments. In the late 1990s, New Jersey was cited as having too high a proportion of children with disabilities in segregated placements. New Jersey received a State Improvement Grant (SIG) to increase the number of students with disabilities in regular education classes. This dissertation was designed to evaluate one aspect of local school districts' program initiatives to achieve this end: teachers' attitudes and perceptions regarding inclusion. Teachers are responsible for the daily implementation of inclusion practices. Their attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs are crucial for the success of inclusion. Although findings from previous research have indicated that teachers favor inclusion, their willingness to implement inclusive practices depends on the availability of supports and resources, as well as the attitudes of school personnel. A total of 856 general education, special education, and special area teachers from seven districts in New Jersey were surveyed regarding: (a) their attitudes and beliefs about inclusion; (b) their perceived administrative support; (c) their perceived ease in meeting the needs of students with disabilities in their classroom; and (d) the factors that have helped or hindered their ability to include students with disabilities in their classroom. Quantitative (Pearson product-moment correlation, multiple regression, independent samples t test) and qualitative (content analysis) methods were used to analyze the survey data. Special education teachers had more positive attitudes toward inclusion than did general education teachers. Relationships between teachers' attitudes and perceptions, and administrative support were found for general education teachers but not for special education teachers. Years of experience working with students with disabilities did not influence these relationships. Teachers identified training, positive attitudes, and support from colleagues, administrators, and other school personnel as factors facilitating inclusive practices. Barriers to implementation included large class size, insufficient planning time, lack of support from colleagues and school administrators, student behavior and ability, and teachers' negative attitudes. Implications for practice are discussed for administrators and school psychologists.