ERIC Number: EJ1164249
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-2194
EISSN: N/A
Attitudes of Primary School Teachers in Three Western Countries toward Learning Disabilities
Cornoldi, Cesare; Capodieci, Agnese; Colomer Diago, Carla; Miranda, Ana; Shepherd, Katharine G.
Journal of Learning Disabilities, v51 n1 p43-54 Jan-Feb 2018
In recent years, teachers in Western countries have developed beliefs and attitudes related to working with students with specific learning disabilities (LD) that may be critical in shaping their educational practices with them; however, their beliefs and attitudes differ across political and geographical contexts and may be influenced by specific contextual circumstances and national legislation. This study examines these issues by comparing beliefs and attitudes among 557 primary school teachers from specific areas of three countries (Italy, Spain, and the United States). Results from this study support the hypothesis that, in general, teachers in these areas are sufficiently well informed about students with LD and are in favor of policies supporting these students' needs. However, substantial differences emerge among countries about the etiology of LD; teachers' and specialists' roles in managing LD students; intervention planning, inclusion, and compensatory provisions; and the range of emotional attitudes that teachers exhibit. These differences have implications for intervention and suggest that efforts should be made to increase collaboration and promotion of common policies across countries.
Descriptors: Elementary School Teachers, Learning Disabilities, Teacher Attitudes, Comparative Analysis, Cross Cultural Studies, Cultural Differences, Foreign Countries, Beliefs, Hypothesis Testing, Educational Policy, Student Needs, Etiology, Teacher Role, Emotional Response, Specialists, Grade 5, Questionnaires, Knowledge Level, Statistical Analysis
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; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Italy; Spain; Vermont
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A