Dissertation writing help - Implement Inclusive Education
Custom Dissertation Writing Service - The Preparedness of Thai Schools to Implement Inclusive Education
Developing countries such as Thailand are working on educational reform and are beginning to acknowledge the importance of including students with disabilities in the regular educational environment. In 1999, Thailand realized that the segregation of students with disabilities was restricting these students' educational opportunities; therefore, the government mandated that all Thai schools implement inclusive education (National Education Act, 1999). Implementing an educational innovation like inclusion successfully however, will entail major changes for school personnel, especially with regard to their knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, many principals and teachers in Thailand lack the basic knowledge and training necessary for competence in the instruction of students with disabilities (Office of the National Primary Commission, 2000).
For this study, I examined specifically: 1) What concerns do Thai principals and teachers have when beginning to implement inclusive education? 2) What prerequisites do Thai principals and teachers believe are needed to implement inclusive education? 3) How do principals and teachers in Thailand view the role of the principal in inclusive education? Three Thai principals and 18 teachers in three different types of schools in Bangkok province were interviewed to determine their concerns and the knowledge and skills they need to implement inclusive education.
The findings from this study suggest that Thai schools are preparing for traditional inclusion. The skills and knowledge that Thai principals and teachers said they needed to implement inclusive education were very similar to the skills and knowledge currently offered in U.S. preparation programs, i.e., curriculum modifications, legal issues, characteristics of disabilities, collaboration, staff. Perhaps it is not the actual skills and knowledge, but the context in which it is presented that it is more important. That is, principals and teachers need to understand that the strategies they learn are for all students who struggle, not just students with labels. Further, preparation programs could be significantly strengthened by educating administrators in differentiated curriculum and teaching that can meet the needs of all students.