| The purpose of this research was to investigate and understand the perceptions of special and regular education core subject teachers toward the inclusion program. The research focused on special and regular education core subject teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools. The research also sought to explore and investigate whether race, gender, and experience impacted teachers' perceptions, and how their perceptions further impacted the schools' ratings. The study focused on teachers in three rural school districts in South Carolina. Research has shown that educators in rural districts almost overwhelmingly agree that the obstacle that impacts them the most is lack of training-that is, staff development. The study includes a survey that was completed by special and regular education core subject teachers in the elementary, middle and high schools of the three districts. It examined the following areas: teachers' understanding of federal and state laws relative to inclusion, teaching strategies, knowledge of the kinds of disabilities, working relationship with regular or special education teacher, and course(s) and/or training for special education. In addition to completing the survey, teachers were asked to complete some demographic data: gender, age, race and teaching experience.;Index Words. Inclusion Program, Teachers' Perceptions, Elementary, middle and high schools... |
