ERIC Number: EJ1027363
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-3116
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Integration in Italian Schools: Teachers' Perceptions Regarding Day-to-Day Practice and Its Effectiveness
Ianes, Dario; Demo, Heidrun; Zambotti, Francesco
International Journal of Inclusive Education, v18 n6 p626-653 2014
Italy is famous for having the highest percentage of students with disabilities attending "the school for all" (integration). However, in recent studies, the reality of integration seems to be more complex. Integration has reached some important goals (e.g. longer school careers), but while the Italian school system envisages the full participation of all students in normal class activities, there are various problems with the way in which integration is managed day-to-day. This study has two aims: to ascertain the extent to which the Italian legislation on integration is applied in practice and to assess the effectiveness of integration in terms of reaching the learning and social development objectives for students with disabilities and the class as a whole. The article describes the data collected though an online questionnaire compiled by 3230 Italian school staff members, mostly teachers. First, it shows that the integration experience of most of the students with disabilities takes the form of partial participation in class activities. Reasons for it are hypothesised. Second, the teachers' level of satisfaction with the learning and social skills of both students with disabilities and the class is generally positive. A although by no means outstandingly so.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Disabilities, Inclusion, Mainstreaming, Regular and Special Education Relationship, Teacher Attitudes, Program Effectiveness, Educational Legislation, Social Development, Online Surveys, Questionnaires, Student Participation, Learning, Severity (of Disability), Socialization
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
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Italy
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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