ERIC Number: EJ1476527
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jul
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1471-3802
Available Date: 2024-11-03
A Look across the Borders: Swiss vs. Italian Future Special Education Teachers' Perspectives on Inclusive Education
Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, v25 n3 p419-433 2025
Teachers play a key role in the implementation of inclusive education. Many studies investigate cross-country differences in teacher perceptions of inclusive education, but there is a research gap in investigating the perspectives of special education teachers. This study examines attitudes, concerns, self-efficacy and intentions of Italian (n = 180) and Swiss (n = 221) special education teacher students (SETS). Despite many similarities, Italian SETS held more positive beliefs, had fewer concerns regarding workload, and had higher intentions to use inclusive practices than Swiss SETS. No differences were found in self-efficacy to use inclusive instructions, managing student behaviour, or collaboration. Apart from inclusive legislation and policies, which might account for more positive attitudes, fewer concerns, and higher intentions to use inclusive practices in Italian SETS, absence of differences in efficacy-beliefs point to the importance of adequate support systems and teacher training in both countries. More research investigating the roles and perspectives of special education teachers across different inclusive education systems is necessary.
Descriptors: Inclusion, Special Education Teachers, Self Efficacy, Cross Cultural Studies, Preservice Teachers, Student Attitudes, Teacher Education Programs, Educational Policy, Educational Legislation, Faculty Workload, Teaching Conditions, Comparative Education, Foreign Countries
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Switzerland; Italy
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Data File: URL: https://doi.org/10.48573/7zdp-nq67
Author Affiliations: 1Bern University of Teacher Education, Bern, Switzerland; 2University of Siena, Siena, Italy