ERIC Number: EJ739855
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Aug
Pages: 17
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 31
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0885-6257
Promoting Inclusive Practices in Primary Schools in Cyprus: Empowering Pupils to Build Supportive Networks
Nicolaidou, Maria; Sophocleous, Antreas; Phtiaka, Helen
European Journal of Special Needs Education, v21 n3 p251-267 Aug 2006
Having ownership of a dream is a core element for school improvement and effectiveness. Believing in the effectiveness of a programme is the beginning of reviving a school's internal capacities for improvement. Any improvement and development programme needs to be inviting and non-threatening, a holistic process involving all stakeholders. In this way any educational organization, such as a school, will succeed in serving its core purpose to the maximum: that of offering quality, well-rounded education to its pupils. Our study was founded on this philosophy. The challenge was to create the foundation base on which the school could develop alternative procedures and structures necessary for addressing educational inclusion. This meant having a robust vision, including everyone, starting from the pupils. Through this action research project and with the pupils' empowerment and participation, we wanted to change current practice, to bring the pupils together and share understandings, in order to promote inclusive practices within a primary school setting. To this end, a group of 11-year-old pupils would act as pupil-researchers and co-educators. The group of pupils were trained in research methods, and together planned and designed the action to be taken during this project. The use of pupils as researchers was an innovation in Cyprus, the aim to address the difficult logistical problems of implementing inclusion in practical settings. (Contains 1 figure and 5 notes.)
Descriptors: Program Effectiveness, Foreign Countries, Educational Change, Action Research, Inclusive Schools, Elementary School Students, Student Empowerment, School Effectiveness, Educational Improvement, Student Participation, Social Support Groups, Educational Practices
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940. Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/default.html.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: Cyprus

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