Functional Assessment in Teachers' Experiences in the Specialist Inclusive Education Support Centers. Research Report

Introduction: In June 2023, the pilot program for implementing the first Specialist Inclusive Education Support Centers into the Polish educational practice concluded. The authors conducted evaluative research within the Specialist Inclusive Education Support Centers (SIESCs) in Łódź, Poland. Research Aim: The purpose of the research aim was to evaluate the support provided to teachers in mainstream educational institutions, and the purpose of the article was to show the experience of conducting functional assessment in recognizing the diverse needs of students. Method: The research method employed was focused group interviews with teachers and school principals, along with content analysis of the opinions expressed by participants in the self-study network. Results: The research results are their selected statements, evaluating against different areas of support, the experience of using school functional assessment. Conclusions: The conclusions of the research confirm teachers’ concerns about functional assessment, perceived as a new form of educational diagnosis, but also highlight significant needs in this area arising from the inclusive approach in the Polish education system. The staff of special schools serving as SIESCs, can be instrumental in implementing the functional assessment process for inclusion purposes.