<b>Special education policies in Portugal: an analysis through a European framework</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascieduc.v35i2.21042

Abstract

Similar to other European countries, special education in Portugal has moved forward and backward. Although established by the Law on the Portuguese Educational System (Law No. 46/86), based on the principles of an inclusive education, it is bounded to the homogenizing logic that characterizes school education in Portugal and in Europe. Consequently and foregrounded on the idea that special education is an integral component of the educational system, it is argued that European policies on special education influence the definition of national educational policies. From the methodological point of view, reports published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and UNESCO on educational issues in general, by the European Agency for the Development of Special Needs Education, in particular, and the relationships on special education launched in Portugal, are investigated. Current analysis concluded that the policies for special education in Portugal follow the European educational order of continuous inclusive education.

Keywords

• educação especial em Portugal
• políticas de educação especial
• influências internacionais
• educação inclusiva