EDUCATING ALL STUDENTS IN SCHOOL - ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT INCLUSION

With the passage and implementation of 94-142, all children were guaranteed the right to a free and appropriate education. Recently, concerns have been voiced about the efficacy of the parallel systems of regular, entitlement, and special education which have developed. The general education reform movement has grown out of these concerns and provides an opportunity to restructure the education system to include all students. Fear and uncertainty surround the inclusion movement. The purpose of this study was to survey the beliefs and attitudes regarding the inclusion of all students in the school community in a mid-sized Colorado school district held by school district personnel. A 44% response rate was obtained and data indicated significant differences held by elementary and secondary teaching staff. Further respondents indicated a need for more time for cooperative planning time and that the issue of inclusion had created tensions within their buildings.