Special educational needs in the Italian compulsory school system: A personal account

Abstract

In 1977 the Italian government introduced total integration of handicapped children into the compulsory school system. The author was a teacher and then a principal/superintendent in the Verona area of Italy during this dramatic change in the Italian school system, and recalls the problems and successes in integration experienced in her school district during this period. A description of the Italian educational system, from preschool to high school is presented, along with the events which led up to the implementation of total integration. The details of integration in three schools in the Verona area are described, along with a discussion of problems which remain to be solved. Although there were many problems at first, the author concludes that total integration was a positive change, which signalled a new philosophy of education which has had an impact on the entire Italian educational system.