Teacher satisfaction at the educational placement of students with special educational needs

Authors

  • Timo Saloviita University of Jyvaskyla, Faculty of Education, Department of Teacher Education
  • Markku Leskinen University of Jyvaskyla, Faculty of Education, Department of Education

Keywords:

School Sociology, Special Education, Referral to Special Education, Teacher Satisfaction, Finland

Abstract

This study conducted a large-scale survey to investigate the satisfaction of Finnish primary school teachers toward the current educational placement of their students with special educational needs (SEN). Teachers were asked to recommend the most suitable educational placement for each of their SEN students from a pool of six alternatives: a mainstream classroom, part-time special education, a special classroom in the mainstream school, a special school, a state special school, or an institution. Data were obtained from 980 students representing 68 schools. The results showed that, in the majority of cases, teachers recommended a different level to the current level of placement for their SEN students. Teachers in the mainstream classrooms mostly recommended special classrooms, while teachers of the special education classrooms frequently recommended special schools, and teachers of the special schools often recommended state special schools or special education classrooms. A less restrictive environment was recommended for 20% and a more restrictive environment was recommended for 33% of the students. The results are interpreted in terms of organizational selection.

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Author Biographies

Timo Saloviita, University of Jyvaskyla, Faculty of Education, Department of Teacher Education

Ph.D., Professor of special education

University of Jyvaskyla, Faculty of Education, Department of Teacher Education.

Markku Leskinen, University of Jyvaskyla, Faculty of Education, Department of Education

D.Ed., University lecturer

University of Jyvaskyla, Faculty of Education, Department of Education.

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Published

2016-03-28

How to Cite

Saloviita, T., & Leskinen, M. (2016). Teacher satisfaction at the educational placement of students with special educational needs. Journal of Human Sciences, 13(1), 1792–1796. Retrieved from https://j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/view/3675

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Section

Educational Leadership