Who gets to play? Investigating equity in musical instrument instruction in Scottish primary schools

There is a widely held view that learning to play a musical instrument is a valuable experience for all children in terms of their personal growth and development. Although there is no statutory obligation for instrumental music provision in Scottish primary schools, there are well-established Instrumental Music Services in Local Education Authorities that have been developed to provide this facility for pupils. This article presents the findings of a study that was aimed at investigating the extent to which the opportunity to undertake instrumental instruction in Scottish primary schools is equitable. The study employed a mixed-methods approach. Data were gathered from 21 Scottish primary schools, a total pupil population of 5122 pupils of whom 323 pupils were receiving instrumental instruction. The analysis involved an investigation of the academic profile of this group, the representation of children with additional support needs (ASN) and the nature of their ASN. A qualitative analysis of policy and guideline documents and interviews with Heads of Instrumental Services, headteachers and instrumental instructors served to explain and illuminate the quantitative data. The findings showed that particular groups of children with ASN were significantly under-represented and offer explanations of the processes by which this occurs.     

The biggest extension of rights in Europe? Needs,rights and children with additional support needs in Scotland

ABSTRACT

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 boosted the rights of parents of children with additional support needs (ASN) by improving access to information, instituting a Code of Practice and establishing new redress mechanisms such as the ASN Tribunal and independent mediation. More than a decade later, Scottish legislation enacted in 2016 and implemented in 2018 attempted to increase children’s rights, broadly placing them on a par with those of parents and young people. This paper draws on data from an ESRC project entitled Autonomy, Rights and Children with Special Needs: A New Paradigm? (ES/P002641/1). Analysis of Scottish Government policy and legislation, key informant interviews and official statistics are used to examine the extent to which the new rights are likely to be realised in practice, given the complexity of the legislation and competition between discourses of needs, broadly synonymous with the wellbeing agenda and rights. The paper concludes with a discussion of the lessons which may be learnt from the Scottish experience, which will be of interest to an international audience.     

Additional support needs policy in Scotland: challenging or reinforcing social inequality?

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on Scottish policy on additional support needs and its material outcomes. The central question addressed is the extent to which the Scottish additional support needs system undermines or reinforces existing social and economic inequalities. Administrative data highlight the inflation of the additional support needs category, particularly in relation to non-normative sub-categories such as social, emotional and behavioural difficulties which are strongly associated with social deprivation. Strategies in navigating the additional support needs system by families from different social class backgrounds are illustrated through short vignettes. The paper concludes with a discussion of the way in which sociological theory may help us to understand recent developments in Scottish additional support needs policy and practice. It is argued that the expansion of the umbrella category of additional support needs has been accompanied by an intensification of its association with social class, particularly in relation to categories which carry high levels of social stigma.     

“Are all beliefs equal?” investigating the nature and determinants of parental attitudinal beliefs towards educational inclusion

This study explores the nature of parental attitudinal beliefs towards educational inclusion and the factors that determine these beliefs. Participants were drawn from the Growing Up in Scotland Survey (N = 2200). Results indicate that majority of parents held positive generalised belief towards including children with additional support needs (ASN) in mainstream classrooms (90%), compared with belief about the benefits of inclusion for children with ASN (72%), or benefits for typically developing children (70%). Lower parental income and higher levels of satisfaction with child’s current school were associated with positive generalised beliefs. Belief about the benefits of inclusion for children with ASN was also positively associated with lower parental income, while belief about benefits for typically developing children was determined by higher parental education and age. Our findings suggest that efforts to increase parental attitudes should target salient beliefs and take into account the determinants of each of these beliefs.     

特殊儿童家庭教育社会支持情况调查分析

特殊儿童的正向发展有赖于良好的家庭教育。通过对四川省部分地区特殊儿童父母的调查发现,无论在客观支持还是主观支持方面,特殊儿童家庭教育所得到的社会支持,特别是中观和宏观层面的支持都比较有限,微观层面的家庭成员的支持和中观层面专业教育机构的支持是家长们的重要支持来源,而纵横交融的社会支持系统尚未形成。为此,建议在全社会尊重特殊需求人士的基础上,重视人才培养和机构设置,构建特殊教育的技术支持体系,并进一步完善社会福利和保障体系,以帮助特殊儿童及其家庭顺利发展。     

Teachers talk about inclusion… but can they implement it in their classroom? Exploring teachers’ views on inclusion in a Scottish secondary school

Although there is much research regarding the inclusion of pupils with additional support needs (ASN) in mainstream secondary education, there is little research specifically exploring the perspectives of staff who support and teach this population. This small-scale exploratory study in a Scottish secondary school investigated staff perspectives, aiming to provide unique insights and personal accounts of issues pertaining to inclusion. The findings suggest that there is a need to increase the skills of staff in order for them to be suitably equipped, competent and confident to meet all pupils’ needs.     

提高特殊儿童家庭教育社会支持的对策研究——以成都市为例

特殊儿童家庭教育在实施的过程中得到的社会支持度不高是客观的事实,加强对特殊儿童家庭教育的社会支持非常必要,不同的群体应根据自己的角色对特殊儿童的家庭教育提供有效的支持。文章针对特殊儿童家庭在实施家庭教育过程中获得社会支持情况的现状,提出微观层面的支持必须更全面深刻,中观层面应加大支持度、关注支持效果,宏观层面的支持系统则应成为特殊儿童家庭教育强有力的保障。     

Aspiring to include versus implicit ‘othering’: teachers' perceptions of inclusive education in Wales

Wales, one of the four nations of the UK, is currently undergoing major education system-level reform. From the curriculum, through to a new additional learning needs (ALN) system, there is a renewed focus on inclusive education. Research has shown the importance of teachers' attitudes towards inclusion in creating inclusive learning environments. This research study is based on data from a survey of teachers in Wales (n = 253) exploring their perceptions of inclusive education. Thematic analysis of open-text responses revealed that while teachers were able to articulate the ‘ideal’ of inclusion, these positive ideals were often caveated by both implicit othering of learners with ALN and by the explicit limitations of behaviour, training, and finance and resources. This article critically evaluates the implications of teacher perceptions of inclusive education in Wales, suggesting that without a change in teacher attitudes, the vision of an inclusive education system may be compromised.     

特殊儿童家庭社会支持情况调查报告

对221户特殊儿童家长问卷的调查显示,特殊儿童家庭面临的三大困难是:经济困难、康复和特殊教育知识缺乏以及时间和精力不足。特殊儿童家庭实际获得的社会支持很少。一方面,社会现有资源未得到合理利用;另一方面,各系统层面所提供的支持未能很好满足特殊儿童家庭的需要,特别是支持源与被支持者之间的沟通渠道不通畅。     

教育协作理事会:特殊需要儿童社会支持系统的探索

“教育协作理事会”整合了政府、社区、企事业单位、志愿者等各种人力与物质资源, 构建了特殊需要儿童的社会支持系统.