Parents' experiences with inclusive education

Abstract

Inclusive education is a widely discussed topic addressed in relation to educators, the school as an institution, children with special needs as well as serving the intact population. This text focuses on the parents of a child with specific educational needs. The main research question of the research design is: "What experience do parents have with inclusive education?" The question is dealt with in relation to the broader framework of school education. Four supplementary research questions were also defined. The data were collected through a series of narrative interviews, with 9 parents of children with special educational needs included in the research group. The parents had often maintained irrational expectations in relation to inclusive school education. The parents most often expected a friendly, partner-based communication (with the school as an institution, but also with the child's teacher), and although they faced a number of difficulties on the level of the individual as well as the system, they still anticipated at least a greater level of socialization of their child.

Keywords

• nclusion
• inclusive education
• child with special educational needs
• parents
• experience
• parents' needs
• inclusion