Inclusive Education

Purpose: Inclusive education plays an important role in improving the situation of students with special needs. The present study was conducted with the purpose of developing a local model of inclusive education for students with special needs in the exceptional education organization due to the lack of a local model in this field. Methodology: This study was applied in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of execution method. The research community was professors and experts in educational management and psychology of exceptional children in the field of inclusive education in Tehran in 2020-21, and 10 people were selected as a sample using the purposeful sampling method according to the principle of theoretical saturation. The tool of the present study was a semi-structured interview, which its validity was confirmed by the opinion of experts and its reliability was calculated by the coefficient of agreement between two coders at 0.85. TO analyze data, the method of coding and thematic analysis was used in MAXQDA version 20 software Findings: The findings indicated that the local model of inclusive education for students with special needs had 40 indicators, 16 components and 7 categories; so that the categories included the development of cultural capital, development of human resources, communication between family and school, preparation of educational infrastructure, response to educational needs, continuous monitoring and follow-up, and continuous interaction with education. Finally, the local model of inclusive education for students with special needs was designed and developed in the exceptional education organization. Conclusion: The results of this research can be used by specialists and planners of exceptional education. Through planning to improve the components and categories identified in the current research, they can provide the basis for improving inclusive education for students with special needs in exceptional education organizations.

Inclusion as an educational practice that has its roots in social justice promotes equal access to educational opportunities for all students irrespective of their special educational needs (SEN). The efficacy of such inclusive education largely depends on teachers, particularly their attitudes and skills for teaching students with SEN in mainstream classrooms. That being the case, teacher education programs play a crucial role in fostering these requisite skills and attitudes. This quantitative cross-sectional correlational study examines the attitudes, sentiments, and concerns of pre-service English language teachers regarding inclusive education. A total of 139 pre-service English teachers from five universities completed the Sentiments, Attitudes, and Concerns about Inclusive Education–Revised Scale. Descriptive statistics and correlational analyses were used to analyze the data. The results indicated moderate attitudes towards inclusive education among the pre-service English language teachers. While their sentiments and concerns about inclusive education showed variations based on their prior coursework experience, their attitudes remained stable. Moreover, the attitudes and concerns of the participants did not reveal a significant correlation with their policy knowledge, but the sentiment scores showed statistically significant differences in the two groups. Finally, the amount of previous experience with SEN students did not significantly differ in terms of attitudes, sentiments, or concerns about inclusive education. The findings provide implications for foreign language teachers, teacher educators, and initial teacher education program developers.

The objective of this study was to explore and identify effective differentiated instruction (DI) strategies for students with learning disabilities in mainstream educational settings. This qualitative research involved semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, including general education teachers, special education teachers, and educational administrators from an urban school district. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring a diverse representation of educators with extensive experience in teaching students with learning disabilities. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and themes related to DI strategies, perceived effectiveness, implementation challenges, and support mechanisms. The study identified several key DI strategies, including differentiated content, process, product, and environment, along with the integration of technology. These strategies were reported to enhance student engagement, academic achievement, and social-emotional development. However, significant challenges such as time constraints, limited resources, and the need for professional development were highlighted. Support mechanisms, including professional development opportunities, collaborative practices, administrative backing, community resources, parental engagement, and technological support, were identified as crucial for successful DI implementation. Differentiated instruction is an effective approach to addressing the diverse needs of students with learning disabilities, promoting inclusivity and improving educational outcomes. Despite its benefits, the successful implementation of DI requires addressing substantial challenges through targeted support mechanisms. Future research should focus on expanding the sample size, exploring long-term impacts, and investigating the role of technology in DI. Practical recommendations include enhancing professional development, fostering collaboration, securing administrative support, engaging community resources, and increasing parental involvement.

This study aims to explore the insights of educators on the implementation and impact of peer-mediated instructional strategies within inclusive education settings. A qualitative research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 22 educators currently working in inclusive educational settings. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse representation of experience with peer-mediated instructional strategies. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes related to the implementation, benefits, and challenges of peer-mediated instructional strategies. The study identified five key implementation strategies: training and professional development, collaborative planning, resource availability, student pairing, and monitoring and feedback mechanisms. Educators reported numerous benefits, including academic improvement, social skills development, increased inclusion and acceptance, peer leadership, motivation and engagement, and behavioral improvements. However, they also highlighted significant challenges, such as time constraints, lack of resources, diverse student needs, teacher preparedness, peer dynamics, administrative support, and difficulties in evaluation and assessment. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy changes, enhanced teacher training programs, the development of collaborative networks, flexible implementation models, and increased student involvement. Peer-mediated instructional strategies show great potential for enhancing inclusive education by fostering academic and social benefits for all students. However, successful implementation requires addressing challenges related to resource availability, teacher preparedness, and administrative support. By prioritizing comprehensive training, collaborative planning, and adequate resources, educators and policymakers can improve the effectiveness of inclusive education practices.

This study aims to explore the experiences of special education teachers in implementing differentiated instruction (DI) within mixed-ability classrooms. This qualitative research utilized a phenomenological approach to gain in-depth insights into the participants' experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 special education teachers from various schools in a metropolitan area. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure they had significant experience with DI. The interviews, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes, were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. The data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the teachers' experiences. The analysis revealed three main themes: challenges in differentiated instruction, strategies for effective differentiation, and perceived effectiveness and outcomes. Teachers reported significant challenges, including resource limitations, managing student diversity, assessment difficulties, increased workload, and issues with parental involvement. To address these challenges, teachers employed strategies such as flexible grouping, curriculum adaptation, professional development, collaborative planning, and enhancing student engagement. The perceived effectiveness of DI included improved student progress, positive changes in classroom dynamics, increased teacher satisfaction, and greater inclusivity. Differentiated instruction is a vital approach in mixed-ability classrooms, promoting equitable learning opportunities for all students. Despite the challenges, the strategic implementation of DI leads to significant positive outcomes in student performance and classroom inclusivity. Schools should support teachers through professional development, adequate resources, and collaborative opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of DI. Further research should focus on larger, diverse samples and mixed-methods approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of DI practices.

This study aimed to explore the impact of special education policies on the psychological well-being of exceptional students. This qualitative research employed a phenomenological approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 33 exceptional students recruited through online platforms. The study relied on theoretical saturation to determine the final sample size. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with the support of NVivo software, following an inductive coding process to identify key themes related to emotional and psychological well-being, policy implementation, and future prospects of exceptional students. The results revealed three primary themes: emotional and psychological impacts, the effectiveness of special education policies, and long-term student outcomes. Participants reported experiences of stigmatization, social exclusion, and policy-related stress, which significantly affected their emotional well-being. While some students benefited from individualized education plans and supportive teacher interactions, others faced inconsistencies in policy implementation, leading to increased anxiety and uncertainty. The study also highlighted the crucial role of parental advocacy and teacher preparedness in ensuring the effectiveness of special education policies. Long-term concerns included access to higher education, career readiness, and independent living skills, with many participants expressing uncertainty about future accommodations and opportunities. The study underscores the critical influence of special education policies on the psychological well-being of exceptional students, emphasizing the need for stable, well-implemented policies, improved teacher training, and stronger parental engagement. Addressing inconsistencies in policy application and enhancing emotional support mechanisms within educational settings are essential steps toward fostering the well-being and long-term success of exceptional students.

This study aimed to explore the digital literacy needs, challenges, and support preferences of adolescents with intellectual disabilities to inform inclusive educational practices and policy interventions. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured focus group interviews with 20 adolescents aged 13–18 years diagnosed with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities in Taiwan. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from both inclusive mainstream schools and special education centers. Data collection was conducted through four focus groups, each comprising five participants. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Thematic saturation guided the completion of data collection. Trustworthiness was enhanced through triangulated coding, member checking, and maintaining an audit trail. Analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) access to digital tools and infrastructure, (2) digital skills and usage patterns, (3) social and emotional factors, and (4) support systems and educational strategies. Participants reported limited and unequal access to digital devices, inadequate school resources, and lack of individualized digital instruction. While many adolescents demonstrated basic digital engagement (e.g., opening apps, watching videos), they struggled with more complex tasks such as evaluating online content or engaging in digital communication. Emotional barriers included fear of making mistakes and social comparison with peers. Support from family members and peers emerged as critical, while participants emphasized a need for gamified, visual, and hands-on digital training tailored to their learning styles. Adolescents with intellectual disabilities experience significant barriers to digital inclusion, stemming from infrastructural, cognitive, emotional, and instructional gaps. Addressing these challenges requires context-sensitive, learner-centered interventions and greater collaboration among educators, families, and policymakers to ensure equitable access to digital literacy education.