Date of Award
Fall 12-2013
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Chair
David Lee
Committee Chair Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Member 2
Thelma Roberson
Committee Member 2 Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Member 3
Ursula Whitehead
Committee Member 3 Department
Educational Leadership and School Counseling
Committee Member 4
James T. Johnson
Abstract
Alternative schools serve a population of students who have come in conflict with the codes of conduct of their home school district. Students with disabilities are subject to the same codes of conduct and occasionally are referred to alternative schools. These referrals constitute a change in placement mandating alternative schools to provide academic and educational services and supports commensurate to the home school. This includes educating students with disabilities in regular classes. This research sought to ascertain perceptions of superintendents, alternative school principals, and regular and special education teachers regarding how well alternative schools in Mississippi meet the challenges of implementation of inclusion. This study indicated no significant difference in perceptions among respondent groups; the results yielded positive responses with the majority echoing unanimity of support regarding inclusion. They agreed students with mild disabilities belonged in regular classrooms, that both students with special needs and regular students benefited socially and academically from inclusion, and that inclusions should prevail even over parental objections. They disagreed that students should be excluded from regular classes due to severe physical disabilities, increased instructional time requirements, using assistive communication devices, or being unable to read normal size print. All four respondent groups unanimously expressed support or strong support for the implementation of inclusion.
Copyright
2013, Gary Lynn Tune
Recommended Citation
Tune, Gary Lynn, "The Challenges of Inclusion: Perceptions of Superintendents, Principals, and Teachers in Mississippi Alternative Schools" (2013). Dissertations. 236.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/236
Included in
Accessibility Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration Commons, Other Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Special Education Administration Commons