Skip to main content

Benchmarking Education Policies and Practices of Inclusive Education: Comparative Empirical Research—The Case of Croatia, Italy and Portugal

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

European education policy is oriented toward the development of efficient and socially sensitive inclusive education. Simultaneously, implementation shows a significant gap with the varying levels of inclusive education among European countries. Problems seem to start with the terminology itself and continue with a lack of generalisable evaluation criteria applicable to a range of education processes related to students with special educational needs (SEN). This chapter aims to develop a framework for benchmarkingthe policies and practices of inclusive education, based on comparative research in three small countries in Southern and South-East Europe—Croatia, Italy and Portugal. The research results are based on focus group data collected from primary stakeholders of inclusive education practice at the primary level (school teachers and professionals with experience in inclusive education).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ainscow, M. (2005). Developing inclusive education systems: What are the levers for change? Journal of Educational Change,6(2), 109–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ainscow, M., & Sandill, A. (2010). Developing inclusive education systems: The role of organisational cultures and leadership. International Journal of Inclusive Education,14(4), 401–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ainscow, M., Farrell, P., & Tweddle, D. (2000). Developing policies for inclusive education: A study of the role of local education authorities. International Journal of Inclusive Education,4(3), 211–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akalin, S., & Sucuoglu, B. (2015). Effects of classroom management intervention based on teacher training and performance feedback on outcomes of teacher-student dyads in inclusive classrooms. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice,15(3), 739–758.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alquraini, T., & Gut, D. (2012). Critical components of successful inclusion of students with severe disabilities: Literature review. International Journal of Special Education,27(1), 42–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, A. C., Armstrong, D., & Spandagou, I. (2009). Inclusive education: International policy & practice. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnesen, A. L., & Lundahl, L. (2006). Still social and democratic? Inclusive education policies in the Nordic welfare states. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research,50(3), 285–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avramidis, E., Bayliss, P., & Burden, R. (2000). A survey into mainstream teachers’ attitudes towards the inclusion of children with special educational needs in the ordinary school in one local education authority. Educational Psychology,20(2), 191–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouillet, D. (2014). Nevidljiva djeca-od prepoznavanja do inkluzije. Zagreb: UNICEF Office for Croatia. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.hr/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Nevidljiva_djeca_publikacija.pdf.

  • Clifford, N., Cope, M., Gillespie, T., & French, S. (Eds.). (2016). Key methods in geography. Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington, DC: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croatian Bureau of Statistics. (2015). Basic schools and kindergartens and other legal entities implementing preschool education programmes end of 2013/2014 and beginning of 2014/2015 school/pedagogic year. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Devecchi, C., & Nevin, A. (2010). Leadership for inclusive schools and inclusive school leadership. In A. Noremore (Ed.), Global perspectives on educational leadership reform: The development and preparation of leaders of learning and learners of leadership. Advances in Educational Administration, 11, 211–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Paola, M. F., & Walther-Thomas, C. (2003). Principals and special education: The critical role of school leaders (COPPSE Document No. IB-7). Gainesville: University of Florida, Center on Personnel Studies in Special Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education. (2010), Country Data 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fakolade, O. A., Adeniyi, S. O., & Tella, A. (2017). Attitude of teachers towards the inclusion of special needs children in general education classroom: The case of teachers in some selected schools in Nigeria. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education,1(3), 155–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fejgin, N., Talmor, R., & Erlich, I. (2005). Inclusion and burnout in physical education. European Physical Education Review,11(1), 29–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J., Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. (2009). Teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge and learning activity types: Curriculum-based technology integration reframed. Journal of Research on Technology in Education,41(4), 393–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, P. D. (1997). Leadership behaviours of principals in inclusive educational settings. Journal of Educational Administration,35(5), 411–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, A., Schwartz, E., & McGhie-Richmond, D. (2009). Preparing teachers for inclusive classrooms. Teaching and Teacher Education,25(4), 535–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitzinger, J. (1994). The methodology of focus groups: The importance of interaction between research participants. Sociology of Health & Illness,16(1), 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyriazopoulou, M., & Weber, H. (Eds.). (2009). Development of a set of indicators: For inclusive education in Europe. Odense, Denmark: European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education. Retrieved from https://www.european-agency.org/sites/default/files/development-of-a-set-of-indicators-for-inclusive-education-in-europe_Indicators-EN-with-cover.pdf.

  • Leithwood, K. A., & Riehl, C. (2003). What we know about successful school leadership. Philadelphia, PA: Laboratory for student success, Temple University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martı́nez, M. A., Sauleda, N., & Huber, G. L. (2001). Metaphors as blueprints of thinking about teaching and learning. Teaching and Teacher Education, 17(8), 965–977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer, C. (2001). Inclusive education and effective classroom practices. Literature review. Odense, Denmark: European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education. Retrieved from https://www.european-agency.org/publications/ereports/inclusive-education-andeffective-classroom-practice/IECP-Literature-Review.pdf.

  • Meijer, C., Soriano, V., & Watkins, A. (Eds.). (2003). Special needs education in Europe. Thematic publication. Odense, Denmark: European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education. Retrieved from https://www.european-agency.org/sites/default/files/special-needs-education-in-europe_sne_europe_en.pdf.

  • Mitchell, D. (2007). What really works in special and inclusive education: Using evidence-based teaching strategies. New York: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mittler, P. (2006). Working towards inclusive education, social contexts. London: David Fulton Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pivik, J., McComas, J., & Laflamme, M. (2002). Barriers and facilitators to inclusive education. Exceptional Children,69(1), 97–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polat, F. (2011). Inclusion in education: A step towards social justice. International Journal of Educational Development,31(1), 50–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, R. A., & Single, H. M. (1996). Focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care,8(5), 499–504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saraph, J. V., Benson, P. G., & Schroeder, R. G. (1989). An instrument for measuring the critical factors of quality management. Decision Sciences,20(4), 810–829.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shevlin, M., & Rose, R. (2017). Leadership approaches to inclusive education: Learning from an Irish longitudinal study. In M. Milton (Ed.), Inclusive principles and practices in literacy education (pp. 53–67). Bingley: Emerald Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sindik, J. (2013). Konstrukcija upitnika stavova odgojiteljica o inkluziji djece s teškoćama u razvoju u dječje vrtiće. Specijalna edukacija i rehabilitacija, 12(3).

    Google Scholar 

  • Slee, R. (2011). The irregular school: Exclusion, schooling and inclusive education. New York: Taylor & Francis (Routledge).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Soodak, L. C. (2003). Classroom management in inclusive settings. Theory into Practice,42(4), 327–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subotić, S., & Anđić, B. (2016). Priručnik za upitnik stavova o inkluziji—SINKL 2.0 (NVO “Persona” radni dokument br. 01–2016). Banjaluka, BiH: NVO “Persona”. Retrieved from http://personapsiho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SINKL2.pdf.

  • Topping, K. (2012). Conceptions of inclusion: Widening ideas. In C. Boyle & K. Topping (Eds.), What works in inclusion (pp. 9–19). Berkshire, England: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN. (1989). Convention on the rights of the child (CRC). New York: UN.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN. (2006). Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD). New York: UN.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (1994). World conference on special needs education: Access and quality. Salamanca Declaration and Framework for Action. Paris: UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2000). Inclusive education and education for all: A challenge and a vision. Paris: UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2008). Inclusive education: The way of the future. Conclusions and recommendations of the 48th session of the International Conference on Education (ICE), Geneva, 25–28 November 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO. (2009). Policy guidelines on inclusion in education. Paris: UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, A., & Ebersold, S. (2016). Efficiency, effectiveness and equity within inclusive education systems. In A. Watkins & C. Meijer (Eds.), Implementing inclusive education: Issues in bridging the policy-practice gap: Vol. 8. International Perspectives on Inclusive Education (pp. 229–253). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, A., Ebersold, S., & Lénárt, A. (2014). Data collection to inform international policy issues on inclusive education. In C. Forlin & T. Loreman (Eds.), Measuring inclusive education: Vol. 3. International Perspectives on Inclusive Education (pp. 53–74). Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Winter, E., & O’Raw, P. (2010). Literature review of the principles and practices relating to inclusive education for children with special educational needs. Trim: National Council for Special Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • York Barr, J., Sommerness, J., Duke, K., & Ghere, G. (2005). Special educators in inclusive education programmes: Reframing their work as teacher leadership. International Journal of Inclusive Education,9(2), 193–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ljiljana Najev Čačija .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Najev Čačija, L., Bilač, S., Džingalašević, G. (2019). Benchmarking Education Policies and Practices of Inclusive Education: Comparative Empirical Research—The Case of Croatia, Italy and Portugal. In: Ingþórsson, Á.H., Alfirević, N., Pavičić, J., Vican, D. (eds) Educational Leadership in Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99677-6_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99677-6_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-99676-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-99677-6

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics