Date of Award
1-1-2002
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master of Education
School
School of Education
Faculty
Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences
First Supervisor
Associate Professor Chris Forlin
Abstract
The number of children who are performing poorly in school-wide tests seems to be increasing in an independent religious school in the metropolitan area. Several children have been identified "at risk" or having special needs but they seem to show little if any improvement as they get promoted to higher grades. The study investigated the instructional and assessment strategies that upper primary school teachers were using in their classrooms to improve the academic and social skills of children defined as having special needs. Teachers' perceptions were examined to determine whether there had been any observable increases in the academic performance of students from years five to seven. Attitudes that teachers displayed towards the school were also studied in relation to the effect that they had on children with special needs. Teachers' reported that the design and implementation of both instruction and tests were found to inhibit full inclusion of children with special needs. Religious and structural restrictions placed on children with special needs were also found to impede their academic success. The discussion focused on the instructional and assessment strategies that teachers perceived would benefit the academic achievement of children with special needs. Ways of overcoming the restrictions placed on teachers' use of instruction and assessment strategies were also examined.
Recommended Citation
Saric, I. (2002). Academic gains of students with special needs in an independent religious school. Edith Cowan University. Retrieved from https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/761