Inclusive Schools - Inclusive Teachers? How much special needs preparation does a pre-service teacher need to teach successfully in an inclusive school system?

Abstract

The ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities built the basis of the chance for an inclusive education system in Germany. Discussions amongst educational experts have concluded that teachers in Germany do not receive adequate preparation, concerning how to appropriately respond to the needs of special needs education and inclusive practices during their university studies, to fulfill the demands of an inclusive classroom. The reverse is true of most teachers in the NSW education system. The research project explores inclusive teacher practices in Australia, their tertiary preparation, and compares both Australian and German teacher preparation on what they can learn from each other. It is hoped that successful strategies can be transferred to the German system, highlighting that the training of effective inclusive teachers needs to include theoretical and practical experiences with diversity in classes and special needs education.