Teachers’ Perceptions of Possible Best Practices, Reported Implementation and Training Needs for Students with High Support Needs: Comparisons Across Qualification Status and Teacher Location

Abstract

This study reports a further analysis of data presented by Chalmers, Carter, Clayton and Hook (in press) that examined teachers’ perceptions of possible best practice, reported implementation and training needs. Teachers of students with severe disabilities in 3 NSW Department of School Education regions were surveyed with 83 useable surveys being returned. Comparisons were made between teachers who worked in Schools for Specific Purposes (SSP) and those who working in support classes in regular schools as well as teachers with formal special education qualifications and those without such qualifications. Teachers in support classes reported a higher level of agreement with a majority of practices and disproportionately high levels of implementation when compared with teachers in SSPs. Teachers with formal special education qualifications reported higher levels of agreement than teachers without formal qualifications on the majority of items, but implementation levels were similar. There also appeared to be systematic differences in reported inservice training needs. Inadequacies in therapy services were reported as a barrier to best practice by over 50% of support class teachers.