Attitudes on Inclusive Education and Placement Decisions of School Heads and Master Teachers in Tagaytay City: Their Implications to Special Education (SPED)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The main objective of the study is to examine the factors related to school based administrators' attitudes toward inclusive education and the relationship between these attitudes and the placement of students with disabilities. Inclusion has become a vital piece of the reform initiative to improve the delivery of services to students with disabilities by focusing on the placement of these students in the general education setting.

METHODS

The study employed the descriptive research design. Descriptive method is a fact-finding procedure that includes analysis and interpretation of data. It was adopted because the researcher believes it is applicable design in order to find out the attitudes and placement decisions of school heads and Master teachers in Tagaytay District. Survey is the method used to gather the quantitative data needed.

RESULTS

Most of the respondents agree that only teachers with extensive special education experience can be expected to deal with students with disabilities in a school setting. Findings revealed that respondents decided that children with specific learning ability, speech and language impairment, physical ability, multi-handicap, and other health impairment must be given either regular or full time education with support. And those with intellectual disabilities, emotional behavior disorder, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and autism spectrum disorder must be given special education services outside regular school. Special education presents one of the major challenges facing school leaders in this era of comprehensive school reform. Today, schools must provide students with disabilities appropriate access to the general curriculum and effective instructional support. The findings of the current study suggest that the principal's role is pivotal in the special education process; however, few school leaders are well prepared for this responsibility.

DISCUSSIONS

School administrators play a crucial role in the academic success of all students. This study was undertaken to examine the factors related to school based administrators' attitudes toward inclusive education and the relationship between these attitudes and the placement of students with disabilities. The study employed descriptive research design through a survey conducted. A questionnaire that was validated was administered to the total population of fifty (50) school heads and Master teachers in Tagaytay District.