ERIC Number: EJ1197805
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Dec
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1744-6295
EISSN: N/A
The Role of Special Education Teachers in Facilitating Peer Relationships among Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities in Lower Secondary School
Sigstad, Hanne Marie Høybråten
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, v22 n4 p378-393 Dec 2018
Background: Students with intellectual disabilities may lack sufficiently developed skills to initiate qualitatively good social interactions; thus, they might be in need of assistance. This study examined special education teachers' role in facilitating peer relationships among students with mild intellectual disabilities in a mainstream school context. Materials and Methods: The study was based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with nine special education teachers who belong to special education groups in lower secondary schools. A thematic structural analysis was used to identify themes. Results: The teachers made substantial efforts to promote social competence and ensure optimal conditions to foster peer interactions. An "academic-oriented" education, divergent attitudes, challenges in teacher collaboration, and organizational constraints may be barriers. Conclusions: In a mainstream school, the role of special education teachers appears to be dependent on the basic values of the school management in terms of real opportunities to foster peer relationships among students with mild intellectual disabilities.
Descriptors: Teacher Role, Special Education Teachers, Peer Relationship, Mild Intellectual Disability, School Administration, Interpersonal Competence, Teacher Attitudes, Special Education, Academic Education, Teacher Collaboration, Secondary School Teachers, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Norway
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A