Teachers’ attitudes and intention regarding inclusive practice in Hong Kong higher education
List of Authors
  • Hoi Nga Anna Ng , John Chun Leung

Keyword
  • Attitudes, Higher Education, Inclusive Education, Intention, Teachers

Abstract
  • The policy of inclusive education (IE) aims to build an inclusive society that provides educational opportunities for all students regardless of learning disabilities or special educational needs. However, the outcomes of IE reported in the literature were rather inconsistent, with no solid evidence to confirm the effectiveness of IE. Among the many factors associated with the effectiveness of IE, teachers’ attitudes and intention regarding teaching inclusive classrooms play an important role. Previous studies on IE were conducted mainly in primary and secondary schools. This study examined factors associated with teachers’ attitudes and intention about teaching IE in a higher education setting. A questionnaire containing items on sociodemographic characteristics and instruments measuring IE was designed for data collection. The questionnaire was put online in an institution of higher education and teachers were invited to participate in the study. A total of 107 teachers (mean age = 49.9 years, SD = 11.4, 49.5% were males) responded. The data revealed that teachers hold positive attitudes towards IE and they showed fairly high intention to engage in inclusive practice, which provides a fertile ground for the implementation of IE. However, teachers’ self-evaluation of confidence, experience, knowledge, and training regarding inclusive practice were rather poor, suggesting that they were not well-prepared for teaching IE. It constituted a potential barrier to the effective implementation of IE. In-service training is recommended to prepare teachers for their engagement in inclusive practice.

Reference
  • 1. Aiello, P., & Sharma, U. (2018). Improving intentions to teach in inclusive classrooms: the impact of teacher education courses on teachers. Open Journal per la formazione in rete, 18(1), 207-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.13128/formare-22605 2. Armitage, C. J., & Conner, M. (2001). Efficacy of the theory of planned behavior: a meta-analytic review. British Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 471-499. https://doi.org /10.1348/014466601164939 3. Avramidis, E., Bayliss, P., & Burden, R. (2000). A survey into mainstream teachers' attitudes towards the inclusion of children with special educational needs in the ordinary school in one local education authority. Educational psychology, 20(2), 191-211. https://doi.org/10. 1080/713663717 4. Avramidis, E., Bayliss, P., & Burden, R. (2002). Inclusion in action: An in-depth case study of an effective inclusive secondary school in the south-west of England. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 6, 143-163. https://doi.org/10. 1080/ 13603110010017169 5. Avramidis, E., & Kalyva, E. (2007). The influence of teaching experience and professional development on Greek teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 22(4), 367-389. https://doi.org/10.1080/088562507016 49989 6. Avramidis, E., & Norwich, B. (2002). Teachers’ attitudes towards integration/inclusion: A review of the literature. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 17, 129-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856250210129056 7. Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall 8. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman and Company. 9. Blankenship, T., Fore, C., & Boon, R. T. (2005). Efficacy and Perception of Inclusion at the Secondary Level for Students with Mild Disabilities: A Review of the Literature, Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education, 1 (9). https://corescholar. libraries. wright.edu/ejie 10. Booth, T. (1996). Changing views about research on integration: The inclusion of students with special needs or participation for all? In A. Sigston, P. Curran, A. Labram, & S. Wolfendale (Eds.), Psychology in practice with young people, families and schools (pp. 181-194). Fulton 11. Boyle, C., Topping, K., & Jindal-Snape, D. (2012).Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion in high schools. Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion in high schools. Teachers and Teaching, 19(5), 527-542. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2013.827361 12. Campbell, J., Gilmore, L., & Cuskelly, M. (2003). Changing student teachers’ attitudes towards disability and inclusion. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 28, 369–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668250310001616407s 13. de Boer, A., Jan Pijl, S., Minnaert, A., & Tied, F. (2011). Regular primary schoolteachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education: A review of the literature. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 15, 331–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603110903030089 14. Dorji, R., Bailey, J., Paterson, D., Graham, L., & Miller, J. (2019). Bhutanese teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 25(2), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2018.1563645 15. Engstrand-Zakirova, R., & Roll-Pettersson, L. (2012). Inclusion of preschool children with autism in Sweden: Attitudes and perceived efficacy of preschool teachers. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 7(2), 273-293. https://doi.org/10.1 111/j.1471-3802.2012.01252.x 16. Forlin, C., Cedillo, I. G., & Romero-Contreras, S. (2010). Inclusion in Mexico: Ensuring supportive attitudes by newly graduate teachers. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 14(7), 723-739. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603111003778569 17. Forlin, C., & Sin, K. (2017). In-service teacher training for inclusion: Best practice models for professional learning. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education, Oxford University Press. https://10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.161 18. Gilor, O., & Kat, I. M. (2018). Pre-service teachers’ willingness to engage in inclusive teaching: An explanatory model. International Special Education and Services, 22 (2), 77-89. 19. Haug, P. (2017). Understanding inclusive education: Ideal and reality. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 19(3), 206-217. https://doi.org/10.1080/15017 419.2016.1224778 20. Heward, W. L. (2009). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education (9th ed.). Pearson Publication. 21. Kisbu-Sakarya, Y., & Doenyas, C. (2021). Can school teachers' willingness to teach ASD-inclusion classes be increased via special education training? Uncovering mediating mechanisms. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 103, 103941. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.ridd.2021.103941 22. Leatherman, J. M., & Niemeyer, J. A. (2005). Teachers’ attitudes toward inclusion: Factors influencing classroom practice. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 26, 23-36. https://doi.org./10.1080/10901020590918979 23. Lindsay, G. (2007). Educational psychology and the effectiveness of IE/ mainstreaming. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 77, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1348/00070990 6X156881 24. Loreman, T., Sharman, U., & Forlin, C. (2013). Do pre-service teachers feel ready to tech in inclusive classrooms? A four-country study of teaching self-efficacy. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38(1), 27-44. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajt/vol38/iss1/3 25. Mastropieri, M. A., & Scruggs, T. E. (2000). The inclusive classroom: Strategies for effective instruction. Prentice-Hall/Merrill. 26. McCondey, R., & Bhlirgri, S. (2003). Children with autism attending preschool facilities: the experience and perceptions of staff. Early Child Development and Care, 173(4), 445-452. https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443032000086926 27. McLeskey, J., & Waldron, N. (2006). Comprehensive school reform and inclusive schools: Improving schools for all students. Theory into Practice, 45, 269–278. https://doi.org/ 10.1207/s15430421tip4503_9 28. Miesera, S., DeVries, J. M., Jungjohann, J., & Geghardt, M. (2019). Correlation between attitudes, concerns, self-efficacy and teaching intentions in inclusive education evidence from German pre-service teachers using international scales. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 19(2), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/ 1471-3802.12432 29. Monsen, J. J., Ewing, D. L., & Kwoka, M. (2014). Teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion, perceived adequacy of support and classroom learning environment. Learning Environments Research, 17, 113-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-013-9144-8 30. Monteiro, E., Kuok, A. C. H., Correia, A. M., Forlin, C., & Teixeira, V. (2019). Perceived efficacy of teachers in Macao and their alacrity to engage with inclusive education. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 23(1), 93-108. https:/doi.org/10.1080/ 13603116.2018.1514762 31. Moore, H. L. (2015). The effects of in-service training on teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion. Master Thesis, College of Education, Rowan University, New Jersey. 32. Moriña, A. (2017). Inclusive education in higher education: Challenges and opportunity. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 32(1), 3-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 08856257.2016.1254964 33. Ng, H. N., & Boey, K. W. (2021). Validation of measuring instruments of integrated education: For Assessment of students and teachers in institutes of higher education. Research Unit on Love, Marriage and Family, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Hong Kong. 34. UNESCO (2015). Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4. UNESCO. 35. Van den Putte, B. (1993). On the theory of reasoned action. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Amsterdam, Neitherlands 36. Park, M., & Chitiyo, M. (2011). An examination of teacher attitudes towards children with autism. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 11(1), 70-78. https://doi.org/10.11 11/j.1471-3802.2010.01181.x 37. Peebles, J., & Mendaglio, S. (2014). The impact of direct experience on preservice teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching in inclusive classrooms. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 18, 1321–1336. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2014.899635 38. Rakap, S., & Kaczmarek, L. (2010). Teachers’ attitudes towards ınclusion in Turkey. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 25, 59-75. https://doi.org/10. 1080/08 856250903450848 39. Rustemier, S. (2002). Social and educational justice: The human rights framework for inclusion. Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education 40. Sahbaz, U., & Kalay, G. (2010). The determination of views of pre-school student teachers. related with inclusion. Journals of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Education Faculty, 19, 116-135. 41. Sari, H., Celiköz, N., & Secer, Z. (2009). An analysis of pre-school teachers' and student teachers' attitudes to inclusion and their self-efficacy. International Journal of Special Education, 24(3), 29-44. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281313550 42. Savolainen, H., Engelbrecht, P., Nel, M., & Malinen, O. (2012). Understanding teachers’ attitudes and self-efficacy in inclusive education: Implication for preservice and in-service teacher education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 27, 51-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2011.613603 43. Secer, Z. (2010). An analysis of the effects of in-service teacher training on Turkish preschool teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion. International Journal of Early Years Education, 18(1), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669761003693959 44. Sharma, U., & Jacobs, D.K. (2016). Predicting in-service educators’ intentions to teach in inclusive classrooms in India and Australia. Teaching and Teacher Education, 55, 13-23. https://doi.org/10.11 11/j.1471-3802.2011.01200.x 45. Sin, K. F., Forlin, C., Ho, F. C., Au, M. L., Yan, Z., & Lui, M. (2012). Equal learning opportunities for students with disabilities under the integrated education system. Centre for Special Education needs and Inclusive Education, The Hong Kong institute of Education. 46. Skrzypiec, G., Askell-Williams, H., Slee, P., & RudzinskiI, A. (2016). Students with self-identified special educational needs and disabilities (si-SEND): Flourishing or languishing. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 63(1), 7-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10349 12X. 2015.1111301 47. Sokal, L., & Sharma, U. (2017). “Do I really need a course to learn to teach students with disabilities? I’ve been doing it for years”. Canadian Journal of Education, 40(4), 739-760. https://www.jstor.org/stable/90018386 48. Song, J., Sharma, U., & Choi, H. (2019). Impact of teacher education on pre-service regular school teachers’ attitudes, intentions, concerns and self-efficacy about inclusive education in South Korea. Teaching and Teacher Education, 86, 102901. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.tate.2019.102901 49. Sucuoglu, B. (2004). Implementation of inclusion in Turkey: Publications/research. Special Education Journal, 5(2) 15–23. 50. Sucuoglu, B., Bakkaloglu, H., Iscan, F., Akalin, S., & Demir, S. (2013). Inclusive preschool teachers: Their attitudes and knowledge about inclusion. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 5(2), 107-128. https://doi.org/10. 20489/intjecse.107929 51. Wong-Ratcliff, M., & Ho, K. K. (2011). Can integrated education meet the needs of students with SEN? New Horizons in Education, 59(2), 101-115. 52. Yada, A., & Savolainen, H. (2017). Japanese in-service teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education and self-efficacy for inclusive practices. Teaching and Teacher Education, 64, 222–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2017.02.005 53. Yan, Z., & Sin, K-F. (2014) Inclusive education: teachers' intentions and behaviour analysed from the viewpoint of the theory of planned behaviour, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 18:1, 72-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2012.757811 54. Zeleke, S. (2004). Self-concepts of students with learning disabilities and their normally achieving peers: A critical review.” European Journal of Special Needs Education, 19 (2), 145–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856250410001678469