ERIC Number: EJ1184242
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0885-6257
EISSN: N/A
School-Level Facilitators of Inclusive Education: The Case of Serbia
Pavlovic Babic, Dragica; Simic, Nataša; Friedman, Eben
European Journal of Special Needs Education, v33 n4 p449-465 2018
Relying on Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, this paper attempts to identify school-level factors that contribute to effective implementation of inclusive education. We also explored how government policy, with emphasis on individual education plans, school teams, Roma assistants and inter-sectorial committees, is implemented at the school level. Qualitative data were collected from various informants (students, parents, teachers, school associates, Roma assistants and local community representatives) in five schools selected on the basis of regional distribution and success in supporting diverse student needs. Two core categories of school-level facilitators were generated: inclusive practices and inclusive culture. Within the first category, which refers to concrete actions and relationships in the school and local community, five themes emerged: individualisation and use of individual education plans; cooperation between teachers and school inclusive education expert team; cooperation with internal and external specialists; cooperation with parents, and cooperation with the local community. The second category, which reflects beliefs, values and implicit school norms, was further divided into five subcategories: willingness for life-long learning; proactive stance; sense of teamwork; sophisticated personal philosophies of development and learning; and acceptance of difference. We concluded that successful schools have developed into professional learning communities. Finally, recommendations for improving relevant practices were provided.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Inclusion, Program Implementation, Educational Policy, Individualized Education Programs, Teamwork, Paraprofessional School Personnel, Committees, Qualitative Research, School Culture, Individualized Instruction, Cooperative Planning, Specialists, Parent School Relationship, School Community Relationship, Minority Group Students, Educational Practices, Elementary Schools, Special Schools, Semi Structured Interviews, Focus Groups
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Serbia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A