<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> This mixed methods study examined preservice teacher perceptions of their needs related to inclusion. The study examined 120 early childhood and elementary preservice teachers from two universities, from both general and special education programs. Inclusion has been considered best practice in education for many years; however, how to best facilitate inclusive practices to meet the needs of all learners remains an area of uncertainty for preservice teachers. Prior research has connected perceptions of preparedness to effective inclusive practices. A survey was developed and validated about inclusion and perceptions of preparedness to teach in an inclusive setting. The survey included both Likert-scale items and open response questions. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the structure of the survey. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and multiple regression were used to examine the quantitative results. Responses to open-ended questions were coded to identify qualitative themes. The findings indicated that preservice teachers lacked a coherent understanding of inclusion and perceived themselves as needing additional development to be fully prepared to teach in an inclusive setting. The results suggest that teacher preparation programs need to provide a more coherent conceptual framework to guide the enhancement of both course and field work related to inclusion and effective inclusive practices.</p></abstract>

This mixed methods study examined preservice teacher perceptions of their needs related to inclusion. The study examined 120 early childhood and elementary preservice teachers from two universities, from both general and special education programs. Inclusion has been considered best practice in education for many years; however, how to best facilitate inclusive practices to meet the needs of all learners remains an area of uncertainty for preservice teachers. Prior research has connected perceptions of preparedness to effective inclusive practices. A survey was developed and validated about inclusion and perceptions of preparedness to teach in an inclusive setting. The survey included both Likert-scale items and open response questions. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the structure of the survey. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and multiple regression were used to examine the quantitative results. Responses to open-ended questions were coded to identify qualitative themes. The findings indicated that preservice teachers lacked a coherent understanding of inclusion and perceived themselves as needing additional development to be fully prepared to teach in an inclusive setting. The results suggest that teacher preparation programs need to provide a more coherent conceptual framework to guide the enhancement of both course and field work related to inclusion and effective inclusive practices.

Preservice Teacher Perceptions of Preparedness to Teach in Inclusive Settings as an Indicator of Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness

Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

This mixed methods study examined preservice teacher perceptions of their needs related to inclusion. The study examined 120 early childhood and elementary...

Preservice Teacher Perceptions of Preparedness to Teach in Inclusive Settings as an Indicator of Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness

Published Online: Jan 11, 2019

Page range: 21 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/dcse-2018-0012

Keywords
inclusion, teacher education, special education, students with disabilities

© 2019 Michele L. Stites, et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Preservice Teacher Perceptions of Preparedness to Teach in Inclusive Settings as an Indicator of Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness

Published Online: Jan 11, 2019

Page range: 21 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/dcse-2018-0012

Keywordsinclusion, teacher education, special education, students with disabilities

© 2019 Michele L. Stites, et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
inclusion, teacher education, special education, students with disabilities