Title
General education pre-service teachers perceptions of including students with disabilities in their classrooms
Abstract
In this empirical study, the authors compare the perceptions of future general educators on two dichotomous scales (hostility/receptivity and anxiety/calmness) regarding the teaching of students with exceptionalities in their classrooms. A total of 116 teacher candidates from one southwestern and two Midwestern universities in the United States completed a modified version of the Pre-Service Inclusion Survey (PSIS) during the first and last class sessions of the semester in an introductory course on disabilities. The authors reported an increase in a positive attitude in the overall PSIS, and in both the anxiety/calmness and the hostility-receptivity subcategories. The researchers noted that knowledge of how to accommodate students with disabilities and fostering positive attitudes when working with these students are necessary for pre-service teachers. Recommendations are advanced for enhancing inclusive practices in pre-service teacher education programs.
Department(s)
Counseling, Leadership, and Special Education
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-8-2012
Recommended Citation
Ajuwon, Paul M., DeAnn Lechtenberger, Nora Griffin-Shirley, Stephanie Sokolosky, Li Zhou, and Frank E. Mullins. "General Education Pre-Service Teachers Perceptions of Including Students with Disabilities in Their Classrooms." International Journal of Special Education 27, no. 3 (2012): 100-107.
Journal Title
International Journal of Special Education
