Saudi Teachers' Perceptions of Accommodating Diverse Students, Including Those With Special Needs, in Inclusive Classrooms

Allsopp, DavidAlqahtani, Ahmed2023-08-212023-08-212023-06-14Alqahtani, Ahmed. University of South Florida ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2023. 30566759.9798379916077https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14154/68943General education in Saudi Arabia has undergone significant transformations since the adoption of full inclusion in schools, resulting in an increase in the number of students with special needs integrated into general education classrooms. The goal of this policy change was to boost inclusivity in Saudi education, but questions have been raised regarding the preparedness of general education teachers to effectively meet the increasingly diverse needs of their students. This study explores Saudi general education teachers' understanding of inclusive practices, their perspectives on the impact of inclusivity on student learning outcomes, and their perceptions of their own preparedness to implement inclusive education. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore teachers' beliefs regarding inclusive education, incorporating theoretical frameworks such as the social system theory and the social learning theory. Findings indicate that teachers have limited understanding of inclusive education principles, focusing mainly on students with disabilities and neglecting the needs of others. Teachers lack knowledge of inclusive practices, classroom adaptations, and individual accommodations, and face challenges in addressing diverse student needs and accessing students' background information. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive teacher training programs, including practical experiences and feedback, along with ongoing professional development and the integration of assistive technology for general education teachers in Saudi Arabia. The results align with previous research on the challenges of implementing inclusive education and recommendations are presented to improve education quality and promote inclusivity in the Saudi Arabian education system102enAccessibilityDisabilityInclusionLearning outcomesTeacher PreparationSaudi Teachers' Perceptions of Accommodating Diverse Students, Including Those With Special Needs, in Inclusive ClassroomsThesis