Schooling children with disabilities: Parental perceptions and experiences

Schooling of children with disabilities has become an important development agenda, as also emphasized in the SDGs. This paper examines how parents of children with disabilities from low income families living in a rural community in India understand and experience the schooling of their child with disabilities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with mothers. Findings suggest that mothers greatly valued schooling both for its short and long term benefits; however they were acutely aware of the poor quality of schooling on offer. While parents emerged as strong enablers in supporting their child's schooling they were seemingly devoid of agency to enable their child with disabilities to access meaningful education.     

Parental perceptions of the 2014 SEND legislation

The study researched parent’s experiences of The Children and Families Act 2014 in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. A sample of parents using KIDS Services in the area were surveyed by questionnaire, both before and after the legislation came into force. Nearly half of the parents were aware of a change in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) legislation; and a third noticed a change in support for their child. Professionals are now more involved in SEND early identification, and most SEND needs were identified at or before the early year stage. The majority of parents thought that the support for their child was either always or sometimes well coordinated. Parents generally felt more involved in the process since the Act, and perceived improvements in educational support. Professional support for parents at diagnosis had increased over the studies, and educational, health and social care needs were generally being met. However, some parents thought that Information, communication and school support needed to improve, and that the voluntary sector was highly regarded. Implications in relation to practice were also made.     

Parental perceptions of gender differences in child technology use and cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a major health concern for today's youth and a pervasive stressor for adolescents and their families. This study offers qualitative insights into how parents perceive their children's technology use and engagement in cyberbullying based on gender. Eight focus groups were conducted with 48 parents of adolescents ages 10–17. Findings indicated parents perceived their children overuse technology and lack awareness of what cyberbullying is. Specific to gender, parents suggested their daughters use technology for social connection, and parents were more concerned about their daughter's technology use than their son's, which they believed was related to specific interests. In response to cyberbullying scenarios, parents encouraged females but not males to socialize with peers. This is the first qualitative study to obtain an in-depth understanding of the ways in which parents perceive and socialize their children in regard to technology use and cyberbullying scenarios. These results may help school systems, school psychologists, researchers, and parents gain awareness of the gender-stereotypical socialization process that unfolds in parental monitoring of technology use and cyberbullying situations. We conclude by offering suggestions for how school systems and personnel might intervene.     

Mainstreaming: the genesis of an idea

The origins of the mainstreaming movement are explored. Problems of definition are discussed and followed by a delineation of three major forces which induced the genesis of main‐streaming. The first is research based evidence dealing with the rationale for special classes, the efficacy of special class placement, philosophical attacks on special classes, the issues of labeling and classification, and criticisms from minority groups. Litigation which challenged long established practice is considered as the second major force. Court cases dealing with the right to education, assessment procedures, appropriate educational placement, and due process are reviewed. Finally, legislative mandates are a third force considered as bringing change to special education. Specifically, the ramifications of PL 94‐142 are explored. The analysis of antecedent events is considered important for appreciating the past, understanding the present, and aiding future planning.     

Parental perceptions of life context variables for involvement in their young children's education

The purpose of this study was to discover Turkish parents’ perceptions of life context variables, including personal knowledge and skills and personal time and energy for involvement activities in their young children's education. The scales used in this study were based on parents’ self-report, and included: (1) Parental Perceptions of Personal Knowledge and Skills for Involvement Activities and (2) Parental Perceptions of Personal Time and Energy for Involvement Activities. Moreover, a demographic survey was developed and used as the second instrument in this study. The results suggested that parents as a group tend to have positive perceptions of life context variables for involvement in their young children's education and their income is the strongest predictor of these perceptions.     

Mainstreaming remains the goal

Conclusion Special-needs children continue to have difficulty finding mainstream placements. Issues which have not been resolved in the fifteen years since handicapped children were admitted to schools discourage least restrictive environment placement. These issues include the isolation of special-needs children in schools, the increasing numbers of eligible children as funding decreases, the short-age of trained personnel, and the questions of efficacy and cost effectiveness. The right to a public education in the least restrictive environment is mandated by law and is fiscally, and socially, good practice. Mainstreaming, which has significant advantages for special children, their families, and society, should become an educational priority.Doris Bloom is a registered occupational therapist and provides consulting occupational therapy services for special education programs.     

Parental perceptions of child labour and human rights: A comparative study of rural and urban Ghana

Considering the inherently hazardous nature of some artisanal fishing and farm work in Ghana, there is sometimes a thin line between what is considered child work and child labour. I drew on literature exploring cultural relativism and human rights and the concept of the margin of appreciation in considering whether child labour violates human rights. I aimed to establish parental perceptions of child labour and human rights in rural and urban Ghana amongst 60 government officials, NGO representatives, and both parents whose children were/were not involved in child labour. The average age of participants was 31 years. Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents (10), stakeholders (10), focus groups (30); and participant observation techniques (10) utilised to gather the needed data and purposively sampled across rural areas (Ankaase, Anwiankwanta and Kensere), and urban areas (Jamestown, Korle Gonno and Chorkor) in Ghana. Interviews were recorded, transcribed utilising a framework approach as the main data analysis method. The paper finds that children are engaged in work to teach them work ethics as most parents consider work socialisation as beneficial for children and society. The paper also finds that knowledge of human rights makes parents more committed to children's welfare. Overall, the paper finds that sensitivity to the economic and cultural context is important in understanding the issue of child labour and, more generally, in applying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and working out the parenting policies and practices that are in the best interests of the child.     

Mainstreaming the Digital Revolution

The University of Melbourne, Australia, is in the process of defining its profile in respect of teaching and learning and high-technology, and is in the process of implementing a decision to employ sophisticated communications and information technologies in what will remain a campus-based setting. Many other Universities are of course engaged in the same process. The following paper points out the significant steps taken to mediate this change, and from the perspective of a curious 'rank and file' academic, provides a commentary and critique of the measures taken. Although the University of Melbourne is the case in point, the issues raised will have a currency in many University settings.     

中国的随班就读:历史·现状·展望

随班就读是中国政府在解决残疾儿童入学问题方面采取的一种教育政策。经过十多年的努力,随班就读已从最初的行政推广逐渐变成了普通学校自觉接纳残疾学生,并为其提供良好的服务。本文回顾中国随班就读的简短历史,描述随班就读工作的现实情况,并对随班就读的未来发展提出了自己的看法。