Challenges in Inclusive Mathematics Education: Representations by Professionals Who Teach Mathematics to Students with Disabilities

Abstract

In the face of the lack of research that investigates the relations between Mathematics teachers and students with special educational needs, an investigation was launched with the aim of iden-?‐ tifying the social representations that these professionals have regarding disability, in addition to learning about their knowledge, opinions and doubts on this theme. The research was carried out with the participation of 65 mathematics teachers and data collection resulted from replies given to three proposed situations in an interview. Collective subject discourse methodology was used, with social representation Theory employed as a theoretical-?‐methodological reference. The re-?‐ sults showed the presence of distinct representations concerning the theme, with attitudes that range from support and incentive for the inclusion of students with disabilities, with evidence of knowledge of the theme, to representations that revealed the manifestation of doubts, opinions and attitudes, with positions contrary to the philosophy of inclusion. Keywords