Teachers’ perceptions of their experience with inclusive education practices in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The literature on inclusive education suggests a set of practices that teachers need to implement to achieve successful inclusive education. The intent of the current study was to contribute to the development of inclusive education in Saudi Arabia by providing an initial investigation of the extent to which teachers possess knowledge and skills in using these practices. The sample of the study consisted of 125 teachers who were surveyed about their experience in using inclusive teaching practices. The vast majority of the participants indicated they had sufficient experience with inclusive teaching, regardless of the teachers’ gender, whether they had special training on inclusive education, teachers’ education level, or school level. However, special education teachers reported more experience with inclusive education practices than general education teachers. The results of the study highlight the importance of considering the concept of inclusion in teacher preparation programs and suggest several practical implications and directions for future research.