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 ...

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.

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.

This Brief discusses research about gifted education in Lebanese schools. It provides an overview of the latest theories, definitions, and practices used to identify gifted students in Lebanese schools. Chapters begin by providing background information on the status of gifted education in Lebanon and the challenges gifted Lebanese children face. Subsequent chapters discuss recent and relevant international definitions of giftedness as well as common misconceptions and underrepresentation of giftedness. The Brief presents research study findings on the cultural definition of giftedness in the minds of Lebanese teachers. It also presents findings on current practices used to identify gifted learners in Lebanese schools. It concludes with recommendations from the teachers that participated in the reported study as well as the authors’ proposal for a Lebanese elementary school policy for identification of gifted students. Gifted Education in Lebanese Schools is an informative resource for researchers, professionals, practitioners, and graduate students in the field of school psychology, educational psychology, gifted and special education, and social work.

The potential of adopting inclusive education to support learning for all is an international phenomenon that is finding its way to the Middle East and the Arabian region. Eman Gaad examines the current status of inclusive education in Arabia and the Middle East through an assessment of the latest international, regional, and local research into inclusive education. With a focus on the more complex areas of related cultural practice and attitudes towards inclusive education in this dynamic and fast-changing part of the world, Gaad offers a research-based analysis of the current educational status of the Arabian Gulf and some Middle Eastern countries that adopted inclusive practice in education, and others that are yet to follow. This book will be of great interest to students, academics, teachers, and therapists in the field of comparative and inclusive education as well as those with an interest in policies of education in the dynamic and culturally distinguished Middle Eastern Arabian region.

Education is a source of national pride in Lebanon. When the general public was asked how the education system was performing, 76 percent of respondents had a positive opinion; and these satisfaction rates have been consistently high over the years. However, perception of education quality does not reflect the reality of the sector; and learning outcomes, which are the determining metrics of success in education, have been lower than the international average, with a declining trend since 2007. This volume seeks to uncover why the education system in Lebanon is not reaching its full potential. It uses a political economy approach to study the drivers and factors that guide education operations to produce and utilize education outcomes. This includes the study of context, stakeholders, and processes that shape education policies, institutions, and activities. It also aims to identify enablers of and constraints on policy change and implementation, as well as the achievement of results. In this context, the analysis encompasses how education policies are developed; how education consumables—such as curricula, textbooks, and learning materials—are produced, distributed, and used by learners; how education services are delivered and monitored; and how achieved results are measured. It includes the identification of the most influential actors in the education arena, as well as their vested interests. It also examines unfavorable frameworks for action that are likely to block the adoption of reforms and delay or derail their implementation. The system-level analysis presented in this volume used a mixed-method approach. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted based on a review and analysis of more than 1,900 research papers, articles, and books; laws and policies; expenditures; trends; and enrollment and outcome indicators. Primary methods of inquiry were also used and included interviews, focus group discussions, and a household-based perception survey.