Perceived competence to teach students with special educational needs in Physical Education: The voice of university students from Spain and United Kingdom

Abstract

Centering attention on people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has relevance to the educational field. The present study gathers the views of university students studying a Bachelor’s Degree relating to Physical Activity and Sports Sciences at public universities in Spain and United Kingdom (UK). Focus is placed on the training received relating to students with SEND. The data came from a questionnaire completed by 457 students from both countries who were in their last year of Bachelor’s Degree. The results show that the quality of training in SEND is the factor that most influences self-perceptions about scientific and professional capacity to address disability and SEN. Furthermore, personal experience in SEND matters also show an important influence and, to a lesser extent, although also significantly, the predominance of practical training over theoretical knowledge. The percentage of students who declare that their Bachelor’s Degree gives high importance to training in SEND is higher in the sample of UK students. In addition, significant differences have been found over the three components detected, demonstrating that Spanish students, unlike UK students, perceive that their level of professional training is higher, despite there being a greater need for training, and that the preparation of teachers for integration is also greater. Results suggest the necessity to continue focusing efforts on improving training in the field of SEND, providing it with higher levels of inclusiveness, both in its theoretical and practical content. This is something that should also be applied to continuous training offered by official educational institutions addressed to non-university teachers.