ERIC Number: EJ1105671
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Aug
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0271-1214
EISSN: N/A
Teacher Perceptions of Two Multi-Component Interventions: Disability Awareness and Science
Dorsey, Emily A.; Mouzourou, Chryso; Park, Hyejin; Ostrosky, Michaelene M.; Favazza, Paddy C.
Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, v36 n2 p103-114 Aug 2016
This study investigated teachers' perspectives about two interventions designed to promote kindergarteners' attitudes toward peers with disabilities. Interviews with teachers were conducted following the 6-week interventions. Teachers shared views on the best and most difficult aspects of the interventions, perceived benefits for teachers and children, and suggestions for improving the interventions. Teachers' responses were analyzed using content analysis. One salient teacher-reported benefit was notable improvement in social skills made by all students. Moreover, students in the experimental condition displayed increased acceptance of peers with disabilities, whereas teachers reported becoming more confident discussing the topic of disability with students. Teachers also reported that although it was difficult to step back and observe children in cooperative learning groups, it was beneficial to see that when children were given opportunities to handle social situations on their own, many were capable of doing so. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Descriptors: Teacher Attitudes, Intervention, Kindergarten, Young Children, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Peer Relationship, Preschool Teachers, Interviews, Program Effectiveness, Interpersonal Competence, Cooperative Learning, Social Development, Randomized Controlled Trials, Consciousness Raising
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Kindergarten; Primary Education; Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R324A080071