Computer Use with Children with Special Educational Needs in Primary Schools

The use of computers to enhance the learning of children with special educational needs has many advocates. Such children in mainstream schools, however, may be failing to obtain the full benefits of computer aided learning through limited resources and lack of teacher expertise. After a period of advisory work in this field, Bill Goler is now teaching in a special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. His article is based on a dissertation for the Master's degree at Manchester University.     

Teacher Support Teams for Special Educational Needs in Primary Schools: evaluating a teacher-focused support scheme

This paper reports on part of an evaluation of teacher support teams (TSTs) as a special education needs (SEN) support strategy in primary schools. Using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, it focuses on areas derived from a theoretical framework for understanding schools’ approaches to SENs. TSTs were set up and run in six of the eight schools, with meetings of between 30 and 45 minutes, usually during lunchtime or after school. Most of the referrals were about behaviour problems, though many were about learning difficulties. The support included providing emotional encouragement, specific approaches to managing behaviour, teaching strategies and consulting others. Referring teachers reported that their TST experience led to increased confidence and some improvements in the children, while TST members themselves believed that they had gained much from the TST experience. Overall the study showed the feasibility and benefits of setting up TSTs in primary schools. The findings are discussed in terms of the wider benefits of TSTs and their relevance to special needs policies and the implementation of the SENs code of practice.     

Higher education provision for students with disabilities in Cyprus

Internationally, the number of students with disabilities entering higher education institutions is on the rise. Research estimates that 8–10% of students attending higher education are registered with disability, with learning difficulties being the most commonly reported disability. Widening participation in higher education has been supported by legislative changes, inclusive education practices, the use of ICT and accessible facilities and programs and, ultimately, an increasing belief among students with disabilities that higher education maximizes their opportunities for employment and independent living. Within the Cypriot context, research on disability, access and provision in higher education is limited. This study was a part of a large-scale study (PERSEAS) funded by the EU. From the original sample, 15 students attending private higher education institutions in Cyprus reported disability (i.e., sensory impairment, dyslexia, physical disabilities) and were selected for focus group discussions. Also, interviews and focus groups were conducted with the Headmasters and teachers, respectively, in 10 private higher education institutions. This study yielded interesting results regarding the current state of provision (e.g., concessions for exams and assignments, infrastructure, teaching modification, counseling services) as well as issues of social inclusion, equality of opportunity and entitlement to education.     

普通学校特殊儿童支持系统的建立与运作

本文切中目前随班就读中的难点与关键问题 ,建立普通学校为特殊儿童服务的资源室 ,形成普通学校中服务特殊儿童的支持系统及运作模式。通过实践探索出资源室的服务功能、工作特点等 ,并形成了在三个层面、三条线上建立起来的结构严谨、运作灵活的有效支持模式。     

Researching into Some Primary School Children's Views About School: Using Personal Construct Psychology in Practice with Children on the Special Needs Register

This article describes a research project, which collected the views of 13 junior aged children on the special educational needs register of one school about their education. The techniques used for eliciting their views were a series of personal construct psychology (PCP) conversations based on drawings produced by the children of themselves in school. A case study approach was taken within the naturalistic paradigm of 'constructivist inquiry'. The findings indicated that social activities were of greater importance for the pupils than formal learning experiences. Peer relationships were paramount and these defined the positive or negative experiences the pupils had of school in general. The pupils were able to describe a range of problem solving strategies for resolving peer group difficulties. The implications of the study are also discussed.     

Post-16 provision for those with autistic spectrum conditions: some implications of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Schools

In this article Tricia Clark shares her experience of the ways in which post-16 provision can be further developed to meet the needs of young people with autistic spectrum disorders. She emphasises the need, in accordance with SENDA 2001, for further education colleges to anticipate the needs of all disabled students in order to accommodate them. She concludes that the key to inclusive provision is flexibility.     

Pupil participation in planning provision for special educational needs: teacher perspectives

There are legal, moral and practical reasons to involve pupils in planning provision for their special educational needs. We do not yet know how principles are implemented in practice. This study explored the views and experiences of 64 teachers with an interest in special educational needs through an online survey. Participants reported greater pupil involvement in everyday matters, less in conceptual aspects of planning. Effective strategies were based on good teacher-pupil relationships and school-wide systems for sharing pupil views. Participants gave examples of the impact of pupil participation on teacher insight, pupil motivation and material provision. 84 per cent indicated that they would like pupils to be more involved in decisions about their provision than they currently are. Barriers included the nature of children’s difficulties and practitioner attitudes. Listening to children is intrinsic to good teaching, yet pupils also benefit from a more formal role in provision planning.     

浅谈特殊教育学校教育保障评估的内涵、依据与要求

特殊教育是现代国民教育体系的重要组成部分,教育保障是办好让人民满意的特殊教育学校的基础。要想制订特殊教育学校教育保障的评估标准,则须先厘清特殊教育学校教育保障评估的基本内涵、法理依据和要求。特殊教育学校的教育保障虽然与普通学校一样,主要包括人力保障、财力保障与物力保障,但由于其教育对象的特殊性,评估的基本内涵应该不尽相同。本文从人力保障、财力保障与物力保障方面探讨了特殊教育学校教育保障评估的基本内涵、法理依据和具体要求。     

农村特殊儿童随班就读支持系统的调查研究

目的:了解农村地区特殊儿童随班就读的政府支持、社区支持、家庭支持、学校支持以及随班就读学生自我支持等5大支持系统的现状及存在的问题,探讨解决问题的对策。方法:使用自编的问卷对某县教师、普通学生及其家长、随班就读学生及其家长等5种人群进行测试。结果:家庭与学校支持系统比较完善,政府经费支持力度较好,社区支持力度不够,随班就读学生自我预期不佳。结论:政府支持需要加大宣传力度,学校支持系统中的资源教室和资源教师提升的空间较大,社区支持需加强。     

重庆市特殊教育教师心理健康与社会支持研究

本研究采用症状自评量表(SCL-90)与社会支持评定量表(SSRS)对重庆市132例特殊教育教师进行调查,利用SPSS统计软件采用t检验与相关性分析对各项指标均数进行统计分析。结果显示重庆市特殊教育教师除敌对因子之外,其余9个因子均明显低于国内成人常模;30岁以上和30岁以下、已婚和未婚、教龄在10年以上和10年以下的特殊教育教师在社会支持评定中的主观支持得分和社会支持总分差异显著;对SCL-90的10个因子得分与SSRS的3个维度得分及总分进行相关系数分析及回归分析,表明社会支持中的客观支持维度与SCL-90中的各个因子相关程度不显著;社会支持总分对强迫症状和抑郁具有显著的预测作用;主观支持对焦虑具有显著的预测作用,主观支持、支持利用度对强迫症状、抑郁和人际关系都有显著的预测度。     

Brokering dialogue between secondary students and teachers to co-construct appropriate pedagogy in reduced-size classes

This study focuses on how two teachers working in reduced-size secondary classes of the same grade adapted their pedagogy as a result of a brokered dialogue between myself as researcher and 43 grade 10 students from the teachers’ classes. Research was carried out over the course of one academic year. First, students’ perspectives on studying in a reduced-size class were elicited before they were invited to suggest ways of improving the teaching and learning. These interviews were transcribed and given to the teachers of these classes. Next, these teachers were interviewed to gauge their opinions on what the students had reported in the earlier interviews. At a later stage, their teaching was observed to determine whether, and to what extent, the two teachers had attempted to incorporate changes based on the feedback from pupils. The study showed that the pupil voice is a very powerful and constructive trigger for enacting teachers’ pedagogical change and developing our understanding of students’ learning processes. Findings demonstrate that teachers responded positively to their students’ perspectives despite initial apprehensions. Implications for professional development and good practices in reduced-size classes are also presented.     

Developing mainstream resource provision for pupils with autism spectrum disorder: parent and pupil perceptions

The diverse needs of pupils with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have led to a continuum of educational provision being promoted in many countries, and which is often developed at a local level. The majority of children and young people with ASD in the UK attend mainstream schools, and resourced mainstream schools are increasingly part of this continuum of provision. These schools offer additional environmental modifications and adult support over and above that normally provided by mainstream schools. How parents and pupils perceive such provisions has not previously been investigated. The current study was designed to explore the perceptions of parents and pupils in five primary and three secondary resource provision schools in one Local Authority during the pupils’ first year at the provisions. A series of interviews took place with 16 parents and 9 pupils during this initial year. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecosystemic theory was used to conceptualise and organise the complex interactions between home, local education systems, school systems and sub-systems, and their impact on pupil outcomes over time. Findings and implications are discussed in relation to theory and practice.     

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.     

有特殊教育需要幼儿随班就读研究报告

随着教育事业的发展,有特殊教育需要幼儿的入园人数已显著增长, 学前随班就读的一体化教育体制已成必须。虹口区十二所幼儿园就普通幼 儿园随班就读的管理、师资建设、评估与安置、教育策略等方面进行了随班就 读的教学实践研究,对幼儿园中如何进行特殊儿童的教育进行了探索,并讨 论了学前随班就读成功的原因以及所存在的问题。     

融合教育背景下芬兰特殊需要学生的支持模式

21世纪以来,芬兰在PISA测试中表现卓越。究其重要原因,芬兰高质量且均衡化的教育背后离不开体系完备、运行良好的针对特殊需要学生的支持模式。在经历了完全隔离式支持模式、半隔离式支持模式和双层支持模式之后,芬兰建立起涵盖一般支持、密集支持和特殊支持的三层支持模式,以尽早发现学生的学习困难,确保所有学生均可以在最佳的环境和适当的支持下受益。此外,这一支持模式还配套了完善的政策法规体系、健全的经费保障机制以及高素质专业化的教师队伍,呈现出平等融合、尽早干预、动态灵活、多元参与以及高度自治等特点。     

试论大特殊教育观

本文从我国社会基础,特殊教育发展趋势,特殊教育与普通教育关系,服务对象概念的变化,特殊教育安置形式和实践特征等方面阐述了大特殊教育的观念,宏观地勾画了我国特殊教育发展的新前景     

本科师范生对随班就读态度的调查

为了解普通高等师范院校本科师范生对随班就读的态度,我们对师范专业大三、大四学生进行了大学生对特殊儿童随班就读态度的问卷调查。结果表明,不少师范生对随班就读缺乏深入认识,态度更倾向于消极。而随班就读相关课程的学习对接纳态度有显著影响。另外,他们普遍愿意学习随班就读相关知识和技能,以便更好地教育特殊儿童。     

扩大随班就读规模 提高随班就读质量

改革开放以来,特别是近10年来,我国特殊教育事业得到了很大的发展,仅从学生数量增长角度看便可说明这个问题:截至2002年,全国三类残疾儿童少年在校人数已近40万,比1990年增加了4倍多.残疾儿童少年入学人数猛增,原因固然是多方面的,其中很重要的一点,就是从20世纪80年代末开始在全国范围内大力推进了残疾儿童少年随班就读工作.随班就读的学生从1993年统计部门第一次正式统计的6.88万人增加到目前的25万人,这使得残疾儿童少年义务教育的普及率有了较快提高,特殊教育事业因此有了长足的进展.由此可以得出一个结论:随班就读这种安置残疾儿童少年接受义务教育的形式,对于推动我国特殊教育事业的发展起了举足轻重的作用.