Addressing the Barriers and Challenges to Inclusion in Irish Schools

St Patrick's College Special Education Department have completed a DES funded research project entitled “Addressing the Barriers and Challenges to Inclusion in Irish schools” lead by Dr Joseph Travers, Director of Special Education in the College, together with Tish Balfe, Dr Cathal Butler, Dr Therese Day, Dr Rory Mc Daid, Maeve Dupont, Dr Margaret O Donnell and Dr Anita Prunty. The Research and Development Committee in the Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills funded the project.

The research involved case studies in six Irish schools (3 primary and 3 post-primary) with a focus on identifying how the schools are addressing the challenges to inclusion of children with special educational needs, children of ethnic minority and/or language minority background and children experiencing educational disadvantage.

Analysis of the transcripts of 72 interviews, 312 questionnaires, 10 day-long student observations and documents led to key findings in relation to the nature of the barriers and challenges confronting schools and the many innovative ways these are being tackled. 

Among the key findings of the study was the force for inclusion created in the schools by the combined power of the principal and a leadership-oriented coordinator working together. The effect of this duo working together galvanised support for change in the direction of inclusive policies and practices. There was clear evidence across the case study schools of the importance of the relationship between the principal and the coordinator of special educational needs and language support.

A notable feature of the report is the voice of children and their views on how schools can become more inclusive.

See full report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Thursday October 14 2010