School's Readiness in the Implementation of Inclusive Education Program: Basis for Developing an Action Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

"Education for All" has been the battle cry of the Philippine educational system and it is clearly stated that even those children with special needs have the right to education. In response to this call, the researcher conducted this study to determine the school's readiness in the implementation of Inclusive Education Program during the school year 2016 -2017 which served as basis for the development of a school action plan.

METHODS

Descriptive method of research of survey type was utilized. Furthermore, the researcher-made survey questionnaire was conducted to gather pertinent data. The participants of the study involved 127 teachers and 21 administrators of Sta. Lucia High School in Pasig City. The data gathered were tabulated, statistically treated, analyzed, and interpreted to complete the study.

RESULTS

The school teachers and administrators rated the extent of school's readiness in the implementation of the Inclusive Education Program in terms of Teachers' Competencies with both average weighted mean of 2.59 which were verbally interpreted as Moderate Extent; in terms of Curriculum and Instructional Materials, the teachers and school administrators gave an average weighted mean of 2.59 and 2.49 respectively, which were verbally interpreted as Moderate Extent and Low Extent; in terms of Emotional Acceptance, the teachers and school administrators rated it with the average weighted means of2.37 and 2.39 which were both verbally interpreted as Low Extent; and in terms of Classroom Environment, the teachers and school administrators rated it with the average weighted means of 3.19 and 3.53, both were verbally interpreted as Moderate Extent.

The data revealed that there is no significant difference in the perceptions of the school teachers and administrators in the extent of implementation of the school's readiness in Inclusive Education in terms of Teachers' Competencies, Emotional Acceptance and Classroom Environment while in terms of Curriculum and Instructional Materials, there is a significant difference.

DISCUSSIONS

The school teachers and administrators strongly believed that there are areas needing improvement in the implementation of Inclusive Education Program. The researcher crafted an action plan for implementation of Inclusive Education Program addressing the needs of Sta. Lucia High School.