Which variables relate to the attitudes of teachers, parents and peers towards students with special educational needs in regular education?

Abstract

While there is an increased interest in describing attitudes of teachers, parents and peers towards students with special educational needs in regular education, there is a lack of knowledge about various variables relating to the attitudes of these three groups. The aims of this study are: (1) to examine which variables relate to the attitudes of teachers (N = 44), parents (N = 508) and peers (N = 1113) towards students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Syndrome or a cognitive disability in regular primary education and (2) to examine whether teachers and parents’ attitudes affect the attitudes of peers. An attitude survey was used to assess attitudes and data were analysed by means of multilevel analyses. The variables found in this study relating to attitudes can be used as a foundation to develop interventions to change attitudes.

Keywords:

• attitudes
• inclusive education
• behaviour problems
• disabilities
• multilevel analysis

Notes

aDue to missing data, the number sometimes does not correspond with the sample size.

bFor parents this variable was measured by “contact with people with disabilities in daily life”.

aCombination = combination of more than one student with ADHD and ASS.

aThis sample is based on data of teachers whose case study corresponded with the case study of peers.

bThis sample includes only data of students whose parents’ attitude score was available.

cDue to different sample sizes, the teacher model and parent model cannot be compared.