{"title":"Exploring a school-level inclusive practice index for meaningful inclusion in Zambian schools","authors":"Tamara Chansa-Kabali, Joachim Nyoni","doi":"10.1111/1467-8578.12489","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, in particular, its Sustainable Development Goal no. 4, underline the relevance of quality education that translates into long-term benefits for all learners. This article reports findings of a collaborative research study that piloted an inclusive practice index to investigate inclusion in schools. We applied a mixed-methods design to identify potent features of inclusion, and developed an index that measured the extent to which inclusive practices were considered in schools. The index was administered in 168 schools and to 498 teachers. Using exploratory factor analysis, psychometric properties and potency of factors were determined. Our results revealed a two-factor solution cumulatively accounting for 72% of variation. Based on our findings, we highlight the need for schools to be deliberate in processes that enhance application of inclusive practices. When applied with intention, this will foster accountability for inclusion in the delivery of meaningful inclusive education.</p>","PeriodicalId":46054,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Special Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9000,"publicationDate":"2023-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"British Journal of Special Education","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8578.12489","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"EDUCATION, SPECIAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, in particular, its Sustainable Development Goal no. 4, underline the relevance of quality education that translates into long-term benefits for all learners. This article reports findings of a collaborative research study that piloted an inclusive practice index to investigate inclusion in schools. We applied a mixed-methods design to identify potent features of inclusion, and developed an index that measured the extent to which inclusive practices were considered in schools. The index was administered in 168 schools and to 498 teachers. Using exploratory factor analysis, psychometric properties and potency of factors were determined. Our results revealed a two-factor solution cumulatively accounting for 72% of variation. Based on our findings, we highlight the need for schools to be deliberate in processes that enhance application of inclusive practices. When applied with intention, this will foster accountability for inclusion in the delivery of meaningful inclusive education.
期刊介绍:
This well-established and respected journal covers the whole range of learning difficulties relating to children in mainstream and special schools. It is widely read by nasen members as well as other practitioners, administrators advisers, teacher educators and researchers in the UK and overseas. The British Journal of Special Education is concerned with a wide range of special educational needs, and covers all levels of education pre-school, school, and post-school.