‘Index for Inclusion’: a framework for school review in the United Arab Emirates

This study uses the ‘Index for Inclusion’, developed by Booth and Ainscow, as a framework for investigating inclusive provision in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), introduced through the ‘School for All’ initiative. The study, by Nadera Emran Alborno of the American University in Dubai and Eman Gaad of the British University in Dubai, adopts a qualitative research approach, using a multiple case study methodology, to provide a rich and contextualised picture of implementation from the perspective of the various stakeholders. Following the ‘Index for Inclusion’, the findings are presented in terms of the three key school dimensions of cultures, policies, and practices. Themes emerging from the data include barriers to participation and learning such as the lack of effective training, adequate support services, and inclusive classroom structures. Also included are positive system characteristics such as the welcoming school climate, support among stakeholders, and emerging parent and community involvement. The study provides insights into the possible challenges to the implementation of the ‘Index for Inclusion’ in schools in the UAE.     

Promoting the implementation of inclusive education in primary schools in South Africa

The British Index for Inclusion was selected to be used in three primary schools in the Western Cape Province in South Africa in order to develop a South African model to assist in the development of inclusive schools. The Index for Inclusion process entails progression through a series of five developmental phases and this paper, written by Petra Engelbrecht, professor in educational psychology and special education and senior research director at Stellenbosch University, Marietjie Oswald, lecturer in special education at Stellenbosch University, and Chris Forlin, associate professor in special education at the Hong Kong Institute of Special Education, is a reflection of the first two phases. Qualitative data were generated from the consultative process followed in the schools during the first phase and both qualitative and quantitative data from questionnaires regarding the perceptions of all school community members on the inclusive practices or lack thereof in their schools during the second phase. The authors drew out the following five themes from the three sets of data: an inclusive school philosophy; democratic leadership, structures, processes and values; collaboration; addressing learner diversity; and resources. Petra Engelbrecht, Marietjie Oswald and Chris Forlin, all of whom were working on a UNESCO-funded project to trial the use of the Index for Inclusion in South Africa, suggest that these themes provided invaluable insights into both the common and unique complexities, the problems and the assets of the different school communities. The themes are discussed in detail in this article, raising fascinating issues for the development of inclusion in different contexts around the world, and will be used to inform the three remaining phases of the Index for Inclusion process.     

An Index for Inclusion

The Index for Inclusion is a resource to support the inclusive development of schools. The materials in the Index are designed to build on the wealth of knowledge and experience that people already have in their schools and to challenge any school to move forward, regardless of how inclusive it is. From the start the language in the Index is deeply inclusionary, replacing the term ‘special educational needs’ with ‘barriers to learning and participation’. It invites a school to reduce those barriers by working through a cycle of activities to gather information about the school's cultures, policies and practices and to set new priorities for development after undergoing a deep scrutiny of everything that makes up the life of the school.     

The name of the rose: Inclusive values into action in teacher education

This article considers the inclusive development of teacher education, drawing on changes made for the new edition of the Index for Inclusion. It defines inclusion as putting inclusive values into action and sets out a values framework for education. It critiques approaches to inclusion that are confined to the mainstream participation of children categorized as “having special educational needs”. It suggests inclusive development as a heading for all compatible principled interventions in schools but argues that having a singular approach to development is more important than the name it is given. It attempts to fill a gap in thinking about inclusion by suggesting the structure for a values- and rights-based curriculum for schools. It suggests that besides preparing teachers to promote inclusion in schools, teacher educators who wish to promote inclusion from within universities and colleges must attempt to put inclusive values into action in the cultures, policies, and practices of their own institutions.     

Educational psychology service contribution to community cohesion: an appreciative inquiry

ABSTRACT

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) calls for education to prepare children for ‘ … responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin’. The current study examines the potential role of Educational Psychologists (EPs) in addressing the UNCRC call to promote community cohesion through their work in schools. Through an Appreciative Inquiry cycle EPs considered facilitators of and barriers to working with communities. Facilitators included EP practices, skills and knowledge and seeing schools as communities in themselves. Barriers included public service funding and aspects of service delivery. A multi-level approach to promoting community cohesion is put forward, including acknowledgement of the context within which the work takes place as well as positing a continuum of community cohesion to community conflict.     

Developing inclusive practices among educational psychologists: Problems and possibilities

This article discusses some of the problems and possibilities facing educational psychologists (EPs) as they strive to take a proactive role in promoting inclusion in their daily work. It begins by commenting on recent evidence which suggests that, despite exhortations to the contrary, many EPs continue to promote non-inclusive ways of working. It then discusses the possibility that the discipline of psychology can, itself, promote an approach to EP practice which is often construed as actively supporting a segregated system of education. This is followed by a review of the evidence suggesting that EPs are abandoning their traditional routes in psychology and adopting school based consultation as a method or working that is more inclusive. The article concludes by referring in some detail to two examples of projects in which EPs have shown that it is possible for them to work in alternative ways with schools and local authorities to promote inclusion.     

Working collaboratively with teachers to promote effective learning

The work of educational psychologists (EPs) is often focused on those children identified as having special educational needs. This focus may restrict opportunities for EPs to become involved in the wider application of psychology within education. This article explores ways in which EPs can make an effective contribution to the enhancement of learning opportunities for all children by working collaboratively with teachers. As a group of EPs working in the same local education authority (LEA), we undertook a small‐scale action research project with teachers in order to explore ways to promote children's thinking and learning skills. The study involved us working with Year 5 class teachers in three mainstream primary schools over a six‐week period, with the aim of developing materials which helped pupils develop an awareness of their own learning techniques (metacognition) and a positive and confident approach to learning (self‐efficacy). Some of the benefits of and barriers to joint research are considered, as well as implications for future collaborative work between teachers and EPs.     

Educational psychologists’ responses to a post-16 service user film on their practice: a participatory research project

ABSTRACT

A film was made by a group of young people (YP) which aimed to inform educational psychologists (EPs) about how they would like EPs to work with them. A participatory research project was established with the YP which aimed to establish, through two focus groups, EPs’ views on the film. EPs responded positively to the film; they valued hearing from YP and expressed feelings including both pride and guilt. Interest was shown in plans for the distribution of the film, and critical reflections were made on the representativeness of the film. Findings are discussed in relation to the current context of gaining the voice of children and young people (CYP) and on improving services through service user feedback. The authors reflect on the strengths and limitations of using a participatory approach, considering challenges regarding methodological rigour and the opportunity that research poses for widening participation.     

What is Valuable and Unique about the Educational Psychologist?

This paper describes a small‐scale piece of research identifying which aspects of the EP role are considered valuable by SENCos and by EPs themselves. In addition, both groups were asked to identify whether they felt these aspects were uniquely offered by EPs or whether other professionals offered similar or identical services. The differences between responses from SENCos and from EPs were marked, with SENCos valuing ‘traditional’ EP roles while EPs themselves saw a much wider range of services as valuable to schools. Implications for the EP team in addressing these conflicting perspectives are discussed.     

Helping secondary schools to be more inclusive of Year 7 pupils with SEN

The authors, all District Senior Educational Psychologists (DSEPs), were asked by a Principal Education Officer to design and implement a funded project to support inclusion in the county. This action research project aimed to help secondary schools be more inclusive of their Year 7 pupils with special educational needs. Inclusion issues were identified using pupils’ responses to questionnaires based on the Index for Inclusion materials. Schools then formulated interventions to suit their particular needs. The impact of the interventions was evaluated one year later. Positive results are reported in terms of responses from the pupils with SEN.     

Inclusion in education: A step towards social justice

This article discusses the theoretical relationships between inclusion in education and social justice. It draws on Martha Nussbaum's use of the capability approach is given as one of the few philosophical and political theories that places disability/impairment in the social justice debate. The article goes on to present findings from the initial stages of a three-year participatory action research project involving eight primary schools located in Dar es Salaam and Pwani (Coast) regions of Tanzania. The project aims to develop an Index of Inclusion in Tanzania. There are numerous barriers to inclusion at national, community and school levels. Both the literature review and the emerging findings of the project suggest some progress has been made towards inclusive, just and quality education in Tanzania but there is still a long way to go.     

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: as prevalent as autism?

An examination of the literature on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and its relevance to the work of Educational Psychologists (EPs) suggested that the impact of FASD on EPs’ casework is an area which has been underexplored, and which merits further attention. A search of major electronic databases was conducted online; however no articles were found which specifically examined the role of the EP in connection with FASD. This is surprising as international research suggests that prevalence of FASD is as high as 1%, which implies that all schools are already dealing with the significant effects of FASD. It is suggested that EPs are well-placed to help schools clarify and meet the needs of children with FASD. Early identification may help reduce the risk of secondary disabilities and improve life outcomes for this group.     

The Coach Consult Method: A model for sustainable change in schools

Project work and in‐service training are methods used by educational psychologists (EPs) to promote systemic change in schools. These have some disadvantages, which can limit the long‐term effects of new developments. This paper outlines and evaluates an alternative approach. A new coach consult method combines effective aspects of project work and in‐service training to enable schools to manage their own projects and to encourage sustainable change, embedded within the school system. The evaluation consists of a tiered approach and considers the impact at the levels of direct, training and general effects. Results indicate that the coach consult method for delivering project work in schools has a positive impact at all three levels.     

Supporting a School in Special Measures: Implications for the potential contribution of educational psychology

This article describes the experiences of an Educational Psychologist (EP) attached to a school placed in Special Measures following its OFSTED Inspection in October 1997. Requests for increased EP time were met with a specific piece of project work looking at the ethos of the school and relationships within it. The article draws out the strengths that EPs can bring to working with schools in Special Measures. These include a psychological knowledge base, skills in systems analysis and project evaluation, the delivery of training and working within a multi-agency setting. The article suggests that this is an important area of work to which EPs can make a contribution.     

Applying Psychology in Local Authority Emergency Planning Processes

This article describes the work of two EPs involved in a multi‐agency project to produce Local Authority (LA) guidelines on psycho/social support following critical incidents and disasters. EPs were involved as participant observers during a simulation of setting up and running a LA reception centre for evacuees. A questionnaire was then administered to all those in role‐play as evacuees to access their views of the support received. The simulation, the results of the research and recommendations for future work are summarised and discussed. The possible role for EPs in this area of work within the current context is explored.     

Exploring the role of assistant educational psychologists within local authority educational psychology services in England

Following consistently high demands for educational psychology services (EPSs) and recent influences upon the delivery of EPSs, the contribution of assistant educational psychologists (EPs) was explored via a multiple case study design. Participants included assistant psychologists, EPs and senior/principal psychologists from two local authority EPSs in England. Recorded focus groups and interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis was conducted to produce a cross case analysis. It was found that the assistant EP role emerged from EP recruitment difficulties and that assistants work in diverse ways to enhance and extend the EPS offer to schools to improve outcomes for children; however, the role did not reduce EP workloads. Challenges to the successful deployment of assistant EPs were highlighted along with implications for their practice and future research. Benefits for the assistants themselves included career progression experience.     

Research exploring parents’, teachers’ and educational psychologists’ perceptions of consultation in a changing Irish context

Research and recent policy developments in Eire highlight that there is a growing number of children in Irish schools presenting with special educational needs, leading to an increased need for Educational Psychology services. This research utilised case studies of children who were presenting to teachers with academic, social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the perceived effectiveness of consultation as a model of delivery for Educational Psychologists (EPs). Each case comprised a teacher, parent and psychologist, (n = 9) from three different case studies. This research found potential benefits of consultation particularly for children and parents, although the results from this study are difficult to generalise, given the small sample size. This study has practical implications for EPs: by understanding parents’ and teachers’ perspectives this can help EPs in future planning for consultation. Further research should explore children’s perceptions of consultation.     

Developing and sustaining provision for children with motor skills difficulties in schools: the role of educational psychologists

The current paper outlines a three-year action research project with 39 schools in one inner city local authority. A local need to improve provision for children with motor skills difficulties resulted in a team of educational psychologists (EPs) and specialist teachers developing the Manchester Motor Skills Intervention (MMSI), which is a flexible package of support for primary schools. Support provided ranged from staff training and resources aimed to improve universal provision through to motor skills groups for targeted children. A mixed method evaluation was undertaken which aimed to establish which aspects of the MMSI schools found most useful and whether the programme was sustainable. The evaluation involved interviews at the end of the two-year project and school provision audits one year after the project had ceased. Participants valued the contribution of the research team to the development of a targeted intervention programme and the provision of ongoing support, while evidence suggests that the whole-school element of the MMSI requires further development. Some barriers and facilitators to sustainability are identified and discussed.     

Secondary school creativity,teacher practice and STEAM education: An international study

How creativity in education is applied by teachers to secondary school contexts is dependent on how the term ‘creativity’ is grounded, politicised, and practised. This paper reports on an international study of secondary schools in Australia, USA, Canada, and Singapore investigating how creativity is understood, negotiated, valued and manifested in secondary schools, focusing on teacher and student understandings, actions, benefits and impediments to creative and critical thinking. Participant reflections revealed inter-, trans- and cross-disciplinary learning shaped by teacher collaboration, dialogue and classroom organization that fosters critical and creative thinking. Implications are made for the ways practicing teachers develop and foster creativity via pedagogical approaches that enhance connectivity and interdisciplinarity of teaching practices between domains of learning. An education-based Creativity Index through which administrators and teachers can gauge, assess and implement creative skills, capacities, pedagogic practices and assessment of creativity within secondary schools is posited. Implications for STEM/STEAM education and centralizing creative capacities in teaching, learning, and educational change are offered.     

Exploring the use of Motivational Interviewing with a disengaged primary-aged child

Research suggests motivational interviewing (MI) techniques are both widely-used by educational psychologists (EPs) and effective in supporting young people of secondary age. To date, there has been no published research investigating the use of MI with primary-aged children. This study details the use of a short MI-based intervention with a primary-aged pupil identified as disengaged. A case-based approach was employed, using pupil and teacher interviews and observational fieldnotes to assess the usefulness of the intervention. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and the intervention checked for adherence to the MI spirit and principles. Here the process, structure and outcomes of the intervention are exemplified through an illustrative case study with a nine-year-old boy. Results indicate that the adapted intervention had a significant impact on learning motivation and classroom behaviour. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to the use of school-based therapeutic interventions by EPs.