Inclusion, Legislation and Practice: Educating Students With Disabilities – the Australian and Latvian Experiences

Authors

  • Ilga Prudņikova Rēzeknes Augstskola (LV)
  • Ilona Bruveris University of Notre Dame (AU)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2015vol3.391

Keywords:

inclusive education, students with disabilities, educational policy, professional learning

Abstract

In Australia and Latvia the inclusion debate has changed the face of education. This change has been brought about by legislative edicts, challenges to traditions which segregate students and by confronting teacher beliefs. This article explores the experiences of the education system in Australian, specifically the state of New South Wales (NSW), in addressing inclusion. Parallels between the Australian and Latvian experiences are identified. Finally the retreat by the NSW system away from the confusion surrounding the use of the term inclusion to the concept of every student, every school is detailed.

 

References

Aikman, S., & Dyer, C. (2012). Education and inclusion: re-examining the narratives, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 42(2), 177-185, DOI: 10.1080/03057925.2012.652816

Ainscow, M. (2003). Using teacher development to foster inclusive classrooms. In T. Booth, K. Nes, & M. Stromstad (Eds.), Developing inclusive teacher education. London: RoutlendeFalmer. p.15 – 32.

Ainscow, M. (2004). Special needs through school improvement: school improvement through special needs. In D. Mitchell (Eds.), Special educational needs and inclusive education: major themes in education. Volume II Inclusive education. New York: Routlende Falmer, p.265 – 279.

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, DOI: 10.1080/13603110802504903

Anderson, C.J.K., Klassen, R.M., Georgiou, G.K. (2007). Inclusion in Australia: What teachers say they need and what school psychologists can offer. School Psychology International 28, no. 2: 131–47.

Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia data. Retrieved from http://www.csb.gov.lv/statistikas-temas/metodologija/iedzivotaju-skaits-un-galvenie-demografiskie-raditaji-36803.html

Erten, O., & Savage, R.S. (2012). Moving forward in inclusive education research, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 16(2), 221-233, DOI: 10.1080/13603111003777496

Florian, L. (2005). Inclusive practice: what, why and how? / Topping K. and Maloney S.(Eds.) The Routledge/Falmer Reader in Inclusive Education, London: Routledge/Falmer, p. 29 – 40.

Florian, L. (2007). The SAGE Handbook of Special Education, British Library, Cataloguing in Publication data.

Florian, L. (2008). Special or inclusive education: future trends. British Journal of Special Education, 35(4), p. 202 – 208.

General Education Law (1999). Retrieved from www.ndg.lv/latvian/.../Visparejas%20izglitibas%20likums.doc

Hansen, J. H. (2012). Limits to inclusion, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 16(1), 89-98, DOI: 10.1080/13603111003671632

Hulgin, K.M., & Drake, B.M. (2011). Inclusive education and the No Child Left Behind Act: resisting entrenchment, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 15(4), 389-404, DOI: 10.1080/13603110903030105

IZM Statistics and Data Analysis Division. Retrieved from http://izm.izm.gov.lv/registri-statistika/statistika-vispareja/6281.html

Kavale, K.A., & Forness, S. R. (2000). History, rhetoric, and reality: Analysis of inclusion debate. Remedial and Special Education,21(5), 279–296.

Lindsay, G. (2007). Annual review: Educational psychology and the effectiveness of inclusive education/mainstreaming. British Journal of Educational Psychology,77, 1–24.

Lyons, G., & Arthur-Kelly, M. (2014). UNESCO Inclusion Policy and the Education of School Students with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: Where to Now? Creative Education, 5, 445-456.http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ce.2014.57054

Miles, S. & Singal, N. (2010). The Education for All and inclusive education debate: conflict, contradiction or opportunity. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 14(1),1-15.

NSW. Department of Education and Communities. (2011). Educational services supporting students with disabilities, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/stsupport/programs/disabilitypgrms

NSW. Department of Education and Communities. (2012). Every Student, Every School: Learning and Support. Retrieved from https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/about-us/how-we-operate/national-partnerships-program/every-student-every-school

NSW. Department of Education and Training. (2003). Qhality teaching in NSW public schools. Retrieved from http://www.det.nsw.edu.au/proflearn/docs/pdf/qt

Prudnikova, I. (2012). The development of practical activities experience for pupils with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities at special primary boarding school. Rezekne: Rezeknes Augstskola

Skrtic, T.M. (1991). Behind special education: A critical analysis of professional culture and school organization. Denver, CO: Love.

Slee, R. (2009). Beyond special and regular schooling?An inclusive education.International Studies in Sociology of Education,18,99–166.Van Swet, J., Wichers-Bots, J., & Brown, K. (2011) Solution focused assessment: rethinking labels to support inclusive education, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 15(9), 909-923.

The Children's Rights Defence Law. (1998). Retrieved from http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=49096

The Education Act (1998). Retrieved from http://www.likumi.lv/doc. php?id=50759

The Education Development Guidelines for 2014 – 2020. Retrieved from www.mk.gov.lv/lv/mk/tap/?pid=40305684

The Latvian Constitution of the Republic. (1922/2010). Retrieved from http://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=

The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education (1994). Retrieved from http://www.ecdgroup.com/docs/Salamanca_Statement_and_Framework_for_Action_on_Special_Needs_Education-16_05_2001-09_20_08.pdf

Van Swet et al (2011). Solution-focused assessment: rethinking labels to support inclusive education. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 15(9), 909-923, DOI: 10.1080/13603110903456615

Villa, R., Thousand, J., Stainback, W., &Stainback, S. (1992). Restructuring for caring andeffective education. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Downloads

Published

2015-05-17

How to Cite

Prudņikova, I., & Bruveris, I. (2015). Inclusion, Legislation and Practice: Educating Students With Disabilities – the Australian and Latvian Experiences. SOCIETY. INTEGRATION. EDUCATION. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 3, 193-204. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2015vol3.391