Educators’ attitudes concerning teaching of students with special educational needs in the mainstream Greek school

Abstract

Nowadays, teaching in a diverse students’ needs environment is a common situation emerged in the school community. In order for all the students to access the good of education and become a part of the school society, it is needed to be acceptable by teachers in the general school, who have to implement an appropriate instruction procedure to meet pupils’ needs successfully. Suitable teaching depends on teachers’ attitudes toward the inclusion of all the students independently and especially for those who show special educational needs. In the current study, participated 373 preschool, primary and secondary educators who teach in the Greek mainstream school. The participants completed the “Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education Scale” [1] [2]. The findings showed that teachers hold reserved attitudes toward the inclusion of students with physical disabilities and academic difficulties, but they hold favorable attitudes for behavior problem and social difficulties students. Comparisons were conducted using other variables, which exert influence on teachers’ attitudes. The results observed show the necessity of establishing supporting services in the school and organizing appropriate training programs in order for the teachers to acquire the theoretical background and skills to implement inclusive practices effectively.