Publication Date

1993

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Townsend, Lucy, 1944-

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Leadership and Educational Policy Studies

LCSH

Mainstreaming in education--Illinois--Psychological aspects; Children with disabilities--Education--Illinois--Psychological aspects; Elementary school teachers--Illinois--Attitudes; Elementary school students--Illinois--Attitudes

Abstract

This is a case study investigating the attitudes of teachers and regular education students towards physically impaired students in an inclusionary public elementary school. This study also investigated the attitudes of physically impaired students toward their current educational placement. In addition, this paper investigated inclusionary educational practices. Teacher observations and discussions were used to investigate teacher attitudes. The Attitudes Toward Handicapped Peers Survey was used to assess student attitudes, and follow-up interviews were utilized to gain further understanding of how regular education students feel about inclusion at the third- and sixth-grade level. Two physically impaired students were interviewed to investigate their attitudes toward inclusionary educational practices. At the end of the school year, the teachers and regular education students demonstrated positive attitudes toward physically impaired students and the inclusion experience. It was also determined that the physically impaired students felt positively about the inclusion experience. Recommendations to improve the inclusion program are provided. These are based on observations and interviews with the teachers, regular education students, and physically impaired students. Such recommendations include improving delivery of therapy services and improving teacher preparation for the inclusion of physically impaired students.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [49]-52)

Extent

vi, 67 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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