This research investigated the extent to which the Inclusive Education policy (Education White Paper 6) has been implemented in primary schools in the Wakkerstroom Circuit in Mpumalanga province since its inception in 1997. The investigation took place during the period between March 2013 and July 2014. The people who participated in this study were primary school teachers, including four principals from the sampled primary schools; the representative from the district-based support team, Inclusive Education Department (curriculum implementer); and the circuit manager of the Wakkerstroom Circuit. Data was collected from teachers using a questionnaire, and structured interviews were used to collect data from the district-based support team representative and from the Circuit manager. Data from the questionnaire was analysed statistically, and data from structured interviews was analysed qualitatively. Results showed that the Inclusive Education policy was not implemented in primary schools in the Wakkerstroom Circuit as it was planned by the Department of Education and described in Education White Paper 6. Recommendations included the availability of an implementation guide for primary schools regarding Inclusive Education; involvement of stake holders in the implementation of Inclusive Education (parents and experts in different relevant fields); involvement of primary school teachers in planning the Inclusive Education policy; providing primary schools accommodating learners with special education needs with relevant resources; and training of in-service primary school teachers in Inclusive Education. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the movement towards inclusive education, demands that quality education for all present challenges for educator support to facilitate educational change in South Africa. The proposed link between effective educational transformation and understanding and managing change stimulated the researcher's desire to develop an in-service education and training programme for educators within the concept of whole school development. Such a programme could ensure the simultaneous development of competence of the individual and the school as an organisation. The first phase of this study comprised the development of a particular in-service educator support programme aimed at addressing the identified needs of a specific target group of educators to facilitate educational transformation within an inclusive setting. The primary focus of the study was the development of educator competencies that would help educators cope with educational change by means of the establishment of school-based support teams. The content was based on a comprehensive overview of the literature on individual and institutional development as well as change. This was synthesized into four modules (Module one: change, transition, reviewing and clarifying vision and mission; Module two: leadership, teamwork and support; Module three; organisational change, the learning organisation and organisational culture; Module four: application). In the second phase an evaluation research design was used to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the programme in order to make judgements (from an accountability perspective) to facilitate programme improvement (from a development perspective) and to generate knowledge (from the perspective of academic value). The programme was presented in ten sessions of three hours each over a period of seven months during and after which qualitative and quantitative data was obtained and combined to ensure higher quality data for the identification of outcomes. An interpretive version of content analysis was applied for the identification of patterns from which subcategories, categories and a main theme was constructed. The programme succeeded in achieving the primary objective of facilitating the establishment of school-based support teams: 95% of the schools that participated in the programme established school-based support teams. It also contributed to the development of personal and professional competency in educators that helped them cope with educational change. Participants experienced significant positive changes in their own thinking and perceptions regarding inclusive education, educational change, support and teamwork. They understood why they needed to change, and developed a better understanding of how to deal with the effects of change. From the patterns identified, the sub-categories of personal, professional and school development were constructed. Change emerged as the overarching main theme. Embedded within this were the roles of the facilitator and of transformative learning. The research flndinqs confirmed that the problem was appropriately conceptualised and that the design of the programme adequately addressed the needs of the participants. Respondents reported that they were more knowledgeable and skilful, and that they had experienced positive changes in their attitudes. These personal changes contributed to better educational service delivery and improved schools. This study demonstrated that educators can be given the support they need to cope with educational change through an in-service support programme which is needs driven and which focuses simultaneously on individual and organisational development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Eise vir kwaliteit opvoeding in die beweging na inklusiewe opvoeding stel uitdagings aan opvoederondersteuning om opvoedingsveranderinge in Suid-Afrika te fasiliteer. Die voorgestelde skakel tussen effektiewe opvoedingstransformasie en die verstaan en bestuur van verandering het by dié navorser die begeerte aangewakker om 'n indiensopvoeding- en -opleidingsprogram vir opvoeders te ontwikkel binne die konsep van heelskoolontwikkeling. So 'n program sou die gelyktydige ontwikkeling van die individu se bevoegdheid en van die skool as organisasie kon verseker. Die eerste fase van die studie het die ontwikkeling van 'n spesifieke indiensondersteuningsprogram vir opvoeders behels wat daarop gemik is om die geïdentifiseerde behoeftes van 'n spesifieke teikengroep opvoeders aan te spreek om opvoedingstransformasie binne 'n inklusiewe omgewing te fasiliteer. Die primêre fokus van die studie was die ontwikkeling van opvoedersbevoegdhede wat opvoeders sou help om opvoedkundige veranderinge te hanteer deur middel van die vestiging van skoolgebaseerde ondersteuningspanne. Die inhoud is gebaseer op 'n omvattende oorsig van die literatuur oor individuele en institusionele ontwikkeling. Dit is byeengebring in vier modules (Module een: verandering, oorgang, hersiening en verduideliking van visie en missie; Module twee: leierskap, spanwerk en ondersteuning; Module drie: organisatoriese verandering, die leerorganisasie en organisatoriese kultuur; Module vier: aanwending). In die tweede fase is 'n evalueringsnavorsingsontwerp gebruik om 'n omvattende evaluering van die program uit te voer met die doelom oordele te vel (vanuit 'n rekenskapgewende perspektief) om programverbetering te fasiliteer (vanuit 'n ontwikkelingsperspektief) en om kennnis te genereer (vanuit die perspektief van akademiese waarde). Die program is in tien sessies van drie uur elk oor 'n periode van sewe maande aangebied. Gedurende en na hierdie periode is kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe data verkry en gekombineer om data van hoër gehalte vir die identifisering van uitkomste te verseker. 'n Interpretatiewe weergawe van inhoudsanalise is aangewend om patrone te identifiseer waaruit subkategorieë, kategorieë en 'n hooftema saamgestel is. Die program het daarin geslaag om die hoofdoel te bereik, naamlik om die totstandbring van skoolgebaseerde ondersteuningspanne te fasiliteer: 95% van die skole wat aan die program deelgeneem het, het skoolgebaseerde ondersteuningspanne begin. Die program het ook bygedra tot die ontwikkeling van persoonlike en professionele bekwaamheid in opvoeders wat hulle gehelp het om opvoedkundige verandering te hanteer. Deelnemers het beduidende positiewe veranderinge in hul eie denke en persepsies ondervind rakende inklusiewe opvoeding, opvoedkundige verandering, ondersteuning en spanwerk. Hulle het verstaan waarom hulle moes verander, en het 'n beter begrip ontwikkel ten opsigte van die hantering van die uitwerking van verandering. Uit die geïdentifiseerde patrone is subkategorieë van persoonlike, professionele en skoolontwikkeling saamgestel. Verandering het as die oorkoepelende hooftema te voorskyn gekom. Ingebed hierin was die rolle van die fasiliteerder en van transformatiewe leer. Die navorsingsbevindinge bevestig dat die probleem op toepaslike wyse gekonseptualiseer is en dat die ontwerp van die program die deelnemers se behoeftes op gepaste wyse aangespreek het. Respondente het gerapporteer dat hulle oor meer kennis beskik en vaardiger is en dat hulle positiewe veranderinge in hul houdinge ervaar het. Hierdie persoonlike veranderinge het bygedra tot beter opvoedkundige dienslewering en verbeterde skole. Hierdie studie het aangetoon dat opvoeders die nodige ondersteuning kan kry om opvoedkundige verandering te kan hanteer deur middel van 'n indiensondersteuningsprogram wat behoeftegedrewe is en wat terselfdertyd fokus op individuele en organisatoriese ontwikkeling.

Digitized from microfiche to pdf. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 1998. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tydperk van afwagting op die afkondiging van wetgewing rondom die proses van transformasie, word gekenmerk deur 'n lae onderwysermoraal, besnoeiings in begrotings, oorvol klasse, diverse leerderbehoeftes, sowel as 'n algemene gevoel van onsekerheid oor die toekoms. Teen hierdie agtergrond het die studie gepoog om die insluiting van leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes in hoofstroomonderwys, vanuit spesiale skool-personeel se perspektiefte bepaal. Daar is gebruik gemaak van 'n situasie-analise van die huidige stand van spesiale skole, kommentaar van spesiale skool-personeel oor inklusiewe onderwys in te win, sowel as om onderhoude te voer met belanghebbende rolspelers en kundiges rondom inklusiewe onderwys op nasionale en internasionale gebied. Dit blyk uit die ondersoek dat daar 'n behoefte is aan samewerking tussen spesiale en hoofstroomonderwys. Spesiale skole as deskundige sentrums kan 'n bydrae lewer op die gebied van die assessering van leerstyle en akademiese vaardighede, die bepaling van sosiale en gedragsbehoeftes, sowel as die organisering van die multi-disiplinêre span rondom die leerder se akademiese en nie-akademiese behoeftes. Spesiale skool-personeel kan betrokke raak by die opleiding en ondersteuning van hoofstroomonderwysers in die hantering van leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes en kan as samewerkende konsultante by verskillende onderwyssituasies inskakel, soos byvoorbeeld: • in die hoofstroomskool in die hoofstroomklas; • in 'n hoofstroomskool waar leerders tydelik onttrek word uit die hoofstroomklas; • in die hoofstroomskool in 'n spesiale klas of eenheid; of • in 'n spesiale skool. Ten spyte van bestaande vaardighede en kennis van beide hoofstroom- en spesiale onderwysers, beskik hulle nie oor die nodige samewerkingsvaardighede om kundighede effektief te deel nie. Dit blyk dat spesiale skole as bestaande formele strukture onderwysbehoeftes moet aanspreek en ondersteuning behoort te bied aan leerders, onderwysers, ouers en ander lede van die gemeenskap in die beweging na inklusiewe onderwys in Suid-Afrika. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Special education and mainly the continued existence of special schools, is the focal point of the transformation to a system of inclusive education in South Africa. The period pending the promulgation of law regarding the process of transformation, is distinguished by the low morale of teachers, cutbacks on budgets, a large number of learners with diverse needs in mainstream, as well as special classes, and a general feeling of uncertainty pertaining to the future. Against this background, the study seeks to investigate the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in mainstream schools from special school staff's point of view. This study involved a situation analysis of the current stance of special schools, gathering comments from special school staff on inclusive education, as well as having interviews with role-players and experts on inclusive education on national and international domain. The study reveals a need for special and mainstream teachers to collaborate. Special schools as expert centers can be instrumental in assessing learning styles and academic skill levels, identifying social and behavioural needs and organising the multi-disciplinary team around an individualised plan in order to meet both academic and non-academic needs. Special school personnel should be involved with the support and training of mainstream teachers to empower them to deal with learners with special educational needs. Special school personnel can link up as collaborative consultants in various educational settings, such as: • in the mainstream school in the mainstream class; • in the mainstream school where learners are temporarily pulled out of the regular programme; • in the mainstream school in a special class or unit; or • in a special school. Despite existing skills and knowledge of both mainstream and special school teachers, they do have the necessary collaborative skills to effectively share their expertise. This study indicates that special schools, as existing formal structures, have a pivotal role in addressing these needs and supporting learners, teachers, parents and other community members in the movement to inclusive education in South Africa. -

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative study has placed a focus upon the experiences of inclusive education of parents of learners without disabilities. As the advent of inclusive education in South Africa has been accompanied by substantial political, social and legislative changes, an ecosystemic theoretical framework has informed the process of this study in order to acknowledge and better understand the influence of various contexts on individuals in their constructions of reality. Recent South African policy documents have endorsed inclusive education as the conceptual framework within which previously disparate systems of educational provision can be united and learners of all abilities optimally accommodated. These documents have not only drawn attention to the need to recognise the rights and potential and actual contributions of parents to the process of education, but have also called for reporting on inclusive educational practice within various institutional contexts. It is against this backdrop that this study has attempted through an interpretative and constructive research philosophy and design to access and interpret the perceptions and experiences of the parents who voluntarily participated in the research process. Permission was obtained from the Western Cape Education Department to conduct focus group discussions at a school which has included learners with Down Syndrome. Two focus group discussions were conducted with groups of parents of children without disabilities in venues provided within the school buildings. Participating parents were asked to reflect on their experiences of inclusive education initially as part of a written response to the research question and later through interactive discussion within the focus group. Follow up telephonic interviews provided member checks on the initial data analysis and enabled further reflections on the research question. Data analysis was achieved through the constant comparative method of data interpretation. This process yielded patterns within the data which ultimately led to the formation of various categories which were grouped systemically to enable a holistic interpretation of the research results. The analysis of results revealed responses to various issues and a generally favourable attitude to inclusive education, particularly the degree to which the parents' children had been advantaged by an exposure to difference and the extent to which more realistic representations of disability had been constructed by the parents. Responses ranged from views concerning the implementation of government policy, difficulty with constructions of disability, concerns regarding the ability of the school system and particularly teachers to monitor and manage this change in educational policy, to more personal issues which involved the perceived benefits of socialization with learners with disabilities. The implications of the study suggest that interactive discussion is a vehicle through which democracy can be actively practised, change can be positively mediated, solutions to educational challenges collaboratively constructed and partnerships between parents and schools more firmly established. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie van inklusiewe onderwys plaas die klem op die ervaring van ouers van leerders sonder gestremdhede. Aangesien die instelling van inklusiewe onderwys in Suid-Afrika gepaard gegaan het met aansienlike politieke, sosiale en wetgewende veranderinge, het en ekosistemiese teoretiese raamwerk die verloop van hierdie studie aangehelp, om sodoende die invloed van verskeie kontekste op individue in hulle formulering van die werklikheid te erken en beter te verstaan. Onlangse Suid-Afrikaanse beleidsdokumente het inklusiewe onderwys goedgekeur as die konseptuele raamwerk waarbinne voorheen uiteenlopende onderwysvoorsieningstelsels verenig kan word, waardeur leerders van aile vermoens optimaal geakkommodeer kan word. Hierdie dokumente het nie aileen die aandag gevestig op die behoefte aan erkenning van die regte en potensiele en wesenlike bydraes van ouers tot die onderwysproses nie, maar het ook versoek dat verslag gedoen word oor inklusiewe onderwyspraktyk binne verskeie institusionele kontekste. Dit is teen hierdie agtergrond dat die studie gepoog het om deur en interpreterende en konstruktiewe navorsingsfilosofie en -ontwerp, die persepsies en ervarings van die ouers wat vrywillig deelgeneem het aan die navorsingsproses, te bekom en te interpreteer. Met die vergunning van die Wes-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement is fokusgroepbesprekings gehou by en skool wat leerders met Down sindroom ingesluit het. Twee fokusgroepbesprekings met groepe ouers van kinders sonder gestremdhede, is op die skoolperseel gehou. Deelnemende ouers is gevra om te besin oor hulle ervaring van inklusiewe onderwys, aanvanklik as deel van enskriftelike antwoord op die navorsingsvraag en later deur interaktiewe besprekings binne die fokusgroep. Telefoniese opvolgonderhoude met groeplede het die aanvanklike data-ontleding voorsien en het gelei tot verdere besinning oor die navorsingsvraag. Data-ontleding is gedoen deur die konstante vergelykende metode van datainterpretasie. Hierdie proses het patrone binne die data opgelewer, wat uiteindelik gelei het tot die samestelling van verskeie kategoriee wat sistemies gegroepeer IS om 'n holistiese interpretasie van die navorsingsresultate moontlik te maak. Die ontleding van resultate het reaksies op verskeie kwessies opgelewer en in die algemeen 'n gunstige houding teenoor inklusiewe onderwys geopenbaar, veral die graad waartoe die ouers se kinders bevoordeel is deur blootstelling aan andersheid en die mate waartoe meer realistiese erkenning van gestremdheid deur die ouers geformuleer is. Antwoorde het gewissel van menings oor die implementering van regeringsbeleid, probleme met formulering van gestremdheid , kommer oor die verrnoe van die skoolstelsel en veral leer- kragte, om hierdie verandering in onderwysbeleid te monitor en te bestuur, tot meer persoonlike kwessies wat menings ingesluit het oor die voordele van sosialisering met leerders met gestremdhede. Die implikasies van die studie suggereer dat interaktiewe bespreking 'n middel is waardeur demokrasie aktief beoefen kan word, verandering positief bemiddel kan word, oplossings vir onderwysuitdagings samewerkend geformuleer kan word en vennootskappe tussen ouers en skole meer stewig gevestig kan word.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An outcomes-based education (OBE) approach was introduced into South African schools in 1998 in order to align education with the democratic values of the new government. The transition to OBE has not been an easy process for many stakeholders. Teachers, in particular, have had to review their own philosophies and practices of teaching and learning. This paradigm shift required by OBE was, however, underestimated in teacher training. The recent addition of an inclusive education approach may arguably be seen as a natural, anticipated extension of the transformation of South African education. This is stated because the principles and practices of inclusion are endorsed and actualised by OBE and the Constitution of South Africa. Based on this inference, this research study explores how assessment, an integral part of the teaching and learning process, can contribute towards the promotion of inclusive education. The research was conducted at two rural mainstream primary schools near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The research methodology was based on the principles and beliefs of the qualitative paradigm as this study explored the teachers' constructed realities and experiences of assessment in OBE and inclusive education. A case study research method was employed in order to produce 'thick' descriptions and contextualised interpretations of their constructions. Following Creswell's (1994) dominant-less dominant design model, the data in the study was produced via both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A selfadministered questionnaire consisting of closed-ended and open-ended questions was given to all of the teachers at both schools to enable an initial inquiry into the area of research interest. The responses to the closed-ended statements produced the quantitative data in the research study and the responses to the open-ended questions formed part of the qualitative data. Following an analysis of the data produced, two volunteer teachers at each school were then interviewed to gain further insight and clarification. The qualitative and quantitative data produced in each case study were first analysed separately (within case analysis) and then compared and combined in a cross-case 'study analysis. This approach enabled a thorough understanding of the research question and the production of quality research. The findings of the research indicate that, although the teachers in the case studies do not see a connection between assessment and inclusion, their assessment practices and principles do contribute towards the promotion of inclusive education. The research found that assessment in OBE has encouraged these teachers to view their learners as individuals with different abilities and needs. Consequently, some of the teachers have adjusted and modified their assessment methods to accommodate these factors. It was also found that not all of the teachers seem to have made a paradigm shift required by OBE. This lack of internalised understanding might contribute towards the confusion, insecurity and skepticism reported by some teachers with regards to assessment and inclusive education. Due to the importance of a paradigm shift in OBE and inclusive education, it is strongly recommended that teachers receive the necessary assistance and training that engenders this transition. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Uitkomsgebaseerde onderwys (UGO) benadering is in 1998 in Suid-Afrikaanse skole bekendgestel ten einde onderwys in lyn te bring met die demokratiese waardes van die nuwe regering. Die oorgang na UGO was vir menige rolspelers nie 'n maklike proses nie. Veral onderwysers moes hulle filosofie en praktyke rondom onderrig en leer hersien. Hierdie paradigmaskuif, wat 'n vereiste vir UGO is, word in onderwyseropleidingsprograrnme onderskat. Die onlangse toevoeging van 'n inklusiewe onderwys benadering mag moontlik gesien word as 'n natuurlike, geantisipeerde verlenging van die verandering in Suid- Afrikaanse onderwys. Dit word genoem omdat die beginsels en praktyke van inklusiewe onderwys deur UGO en die konstitusie van Suid-Afrika onderskryf en geaktualiseer word. Op grond van hierdie aanname, ondersoek hierdie navorsingsprojek hoe assessering as 'n integrale deel van die onderring en die leerproses kan bydra tot die bevordering van inklusiewe onderwys. Die navorsing is by twee landelike, hoofstroom primêre skole naby Stellenbosch in die Wes- Kaap geloods. Die navorsingsmetodologie is gebaseer op die beginsels en praktyke van kwalitatiewe navorsing, aangesien die studie onderwysers se vertolking van die werklikheid en ervarings van assessering in UGO en inklusiewe onderwys ondersoek. 'n Gevallestudie as navorsingsmetode is gebruik om gedetailleerde, presiese beskrywings en gekontekstualiseerde interpretasies van die betrokke onderwysers se belewenisse te lewer. Deur Creswell (1994) se 'dominant-less dominant design model' as riglyn te gebruik is data van hierdie studie op beide 'n kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetode geproduseer. 'n Vraelys wat geslote- en oop-einde vrae bevat het en self deur alle onderwysers van beide skole voltooi is, is gebruik om die aanvanklike narvorsingsbelange te identifiseer. Kwalitatiewe narvorsingsdata is verkry deur die response wat gelewer is op oop-einde vrae en kwantitatiewe data is geproduseer deur middle van die geslote-einde vrae. Na 'n analise van die data is onderhoude met twee vrywillige onderwysers van beide skole gevoer om meer inligting en duidelikheid te verkry. Die kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe data wat geproduseer is, is eers afsonderlik geïnterpreteer en daarna in 'n kruis-gevallestudie analise vergelyk en gekombineer. Hierdie benadering het tot deeglik, deurdagte insigte rakende die navorsingsvraag en die daarstel van kwaliteit navorsing, gelei. Die narvorsingsbevindinge het getoon dat, alhoewel die onderwysers wat betrokke was by die gevallestudies nie 'n verband kon sien tussen assessering en inklusiewe onderwys nie, het hulle assesseringspraktyke en -beginsels wel 'n bydrae gelewer tot die bevordering van inklusiewe onderwys. Die navorsing het bevind dat assessering in UGO die onderwysers aangemoedig het om hulle leerders as individue met unieke vermoëns en behoeftes te sien. Gevolglik het sommige onderwysers aanpassings en veranderings In hulle assesseringsmetodes gemaak om hierdie faktore te akkommodeer. Daar is ook bevind dat nie al die onderwysers die paradigmaskuif wat UGO vereis, gemaak het nie. 'n Onvermoë om die beginsels van UGO te internaliseer mag moontlik bydra tot die verwarring, onsekerheid en skeptisisme oor assessering en inklusiewe onderwys wat deur sommige van die onderwysers gerapporteer is. Weens die belangrikheid van 'n paradigmaskuif in UGO en inklusiewe onderwys, word daar ten sterkste aanbeveel dat onderwysers die nodige ondersteuning en opleiding ontvang om hierdie oorgang te bewerkstellig.

Thesis (Med) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A problem facing many educators in inclusive classrooms is the process of assessment. This study explores the assessment process in an inclusive classroom (that is, classroom-based assessment) and the learners' experience of it. A qualitative research study was done at a private (community) primary school, using a case study approach. A combination of data collection and analysis methods was used. The qualitative nature and context of the study prohibit generalisations and confine findings largely to this study. Assessment is a broad subject touching almost all aspects of education. There have been many influences on assessment practice and the background to assessment was examined to identify these influences and the debates around assessment practice. What emerged was that assessment has many purposes linked mainly to the motivation for doing assessment and assumptions about learning. Essentially the debate centres on the purpose of assessment in education and the need to change the way it is viewed and used. Traditional assessment practice was influenced enormously by intelligence testing and historically its main role has been evaluating learning outcomes for the purpose of certification and selection. This purpose has obscured the role of assessment in facilitating learning. Recent research has indicated its importance in this respect. As our views of learning change, so the need to change our approach to assessment arises. Inclusion also challenges our education practices and the assumptions we make about the learning process. Learning is a complex process that is influenced by many factors including context. Assessment should thus be used in support of learning, rather than just indicating current or past achievement. Many learners especially those experiencing barriers to learning are frustrated with the assessment process, which often discriminates against them. Research shows that assessment is not just about grading and evaluation but also about understanding the individual and the process. Planning an effective education programme should thus include planning effective assessment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Assessering in die inklusiewe klaskamer is 'n bron van bekommernis vir baie opvoeders. Die assesseringsproses in 'n inklusiewe klas en leerders se belewenis daarvan word in hierdie werkstuk ondersoek. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie is in 'n privaat (gemeenskap) primêreskool deur middel van 'n gevallestudie gedoen om die assesseringsproses in 'n inklusiewe klas te verken. 'n Saamgestelde aantal dataversamelings- en ontledingsmetodes is gebruik. Die konteks en kwalitatiewe aard van die studie beperk die bevindinge en verhoed dus veralgemenings. Assessering dek 'n breë vakgebied wat heelwat aspekte van opvoeding aanraak. Daar was baie invloede op die assesseringspraktyk, en die agtergrond daarvan, asook die debatte hieromtrent is ondersoek. Wat voorgekom het, is dat daar heelwat redes aangevoer word om assessering te doen, wat meestal gekoppel is aan die motivering vir assessering, en/of vooropgestelde idees rondom die leerproses. Hoofsaaklik draai die debatte om die doel van assessering in opvoeding en die noodsaaklikheid daarvan om die sienswyse en gebruik daarvan te verander. Tradisionele assesseringspraktyke is heelwat deur intelligensietoetsing beïnvloed en was histories behep met evaluering van leeruitkomstes met die hoofdoelop sertifisering en keuring. Dié manier van assessering het die leerproses oorskadu en verduister. Onlangse navorsing dui op die belangrikheid hiervan. Soos ons sienswyse van leer verander, so ook moet ons benadering tot assessering verander. Insluiting bied 'n uitdaging aan ons onderwyspraktyk en ons voorveronderstellinge aangaande die leerproses. Leer is 'n ingewikkelde proses wat deur baie faktore, insluitend konteksverband, beïnvloed word. Assessering moet as ondersteuning vir die leerproses gebruik word en nie net om huidige en vorige prestasie aan te dui nie. Baie leerders, veral dié wat leerhindernisse ondervind, vind die assesseringsproses frustrerend en bevooroordeeld. Navorsing toon dat assessering nie net oor gradering en evaluering gaan nie, maar ook oor 'n begrip van die persoon en proses. Doeltreffende onderrigprogrambeplanning noodsaak dus ook effektiewe assesseringsbeplanning.

Thesis (MEd)--Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since 1994 the South African government has been committed to the transformation of the educational system driven by the process of democratisation. Inclusive education, as a recent initiative in education, finds its philosophical position within the niche created by the democratic ideal of freedom. equality and justice. Both the teacher and teacher training are key elements within the process of educational transformation. Successful transformation in the schools and classrooms depends upon a change of heart on the part of every teacher in the school. The establishment of a democratic way of life in learners and the successful implementation of inclusive education require that the whole school community, including the teachers, undergo a paradigm shift. The primary purpose of the study was to obtain a clear picture of the teachers' democratic values and their attitude to inclusive education as well as the relationship between their democratic/autocratic orientations and their attitude to inclusive education. The study was done using mainly qualitative research, but it also had a small quantitative component, which was limited to the data collection and data analysis phases. The research findings may be described as follows: • The participating teachers are still in a transitional phase on the road to the transformation of school and classroom practice and are resisting the renewal in education. • Although they find the philosophic underpinnings of inclusive education acceptable, they do not see themselves as ready for the implementation phase. • There is a significant correlation between the teachers' democratic/ autocratic orientations and their attitude to inclusive education. The findings of this study have critical implications for teacher training within a process of transformation, such as we are in at present. During an in-service training programme teachers should be brought to the point where they can place their own values, and attitudes under the microscope and to change them. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert 1994 is die Suid-Afrikaanse regering verbind tot die transformering van die onderwyssisteem soos gestuur deur In proses van demokratisering. Inklusiewe onderwys as In onlangse inisiatief in die onderwys vind 'n filosofiese staanplek binne die nis soos deur die demokratiese ideaal van vryheid, gelykheid en regverdigheid geskep. Beide die onderwyser en onderwyseropleiding is sleutelelemente binne 'n proses van transformasie in die onderwys. Suksesvolle transformasie in skole en klaskamers is afhanklik van In persoonlike harts- en wilsverandering van elke onderwyser in die skool. Die vestiging van In demokratiese lewenswyse by leerders en die suksesvolle implementering van inklusiewe onderwys vra dus In paradigmaskuif van die hele skoolgemeenskap, insluitende die onderwyser. Die doel van hierdie studie was eerstens om In duidelike beeld te verkry van onderwysers se demokratiese waardes, hulle houding teenoor inklusiewe onderwys en ook die verband tussen hulle demokraties/outokratiese orientasies en hulle houding teenoor inklusiewe onderwys. Die ondersoek is gedoen aan hand van In oorwegend kwalitatiewe studie, maar met In klein kwantitatiewe komponent wat net in die data-insamelings- en -analisefases gefigureer het. Die navorsingsbevindinge kan as volg aangedui word: • Die deelnemende onderwysers bevind hulle nog in In oorgangsfase na die transformering van die skool- en klaskamerpraktyk en bied weerstand teen die vernuwing in die onderwys. • Alhoewel die filosofiese begronding van inklusiewe onderwys vir hulle aanvaarbaar is, beskou hulle hulleself nie as gereed vir die implementeringsfase nie. • In Beduidende verband is bevind tussen onderwysers se demokraties/outokratiese orientasles en hulle houding teenoor inklusiewe onderwys. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie hou krities-belangrike implikasies in vir onderwyseropleiding binne In proses van transformasie van die onderwyssisteem soos tans die geval. Onderwysers behoort binne In indiens-opleidingsprogram begelei te word om eie waardes, oortuigings en houdings onder loep te neem en te verander.

This research study explored the process in the development of theTeacher Support Team in assisting teachers of learners with special educational needs in the mainstream classroom. This research was conducted in the context of the restructuring of the South African Education system. The Policy Document White Paper 6 (2001) states that all learners irrespective of the barriers to learning and development have a right to be educated in the ordinary school, together with their peers.

M.Ed. / The research in this qualitative study focuses on the role of the educational psychologist as consultant in Inclusive Education. The rationale for the investigation is derived from the changing and expanding role of the educational psychologist. This role has been implicated by the move from excluding learners who experience barriers to learning from mainstream schools, towards a policy of Inclusive Education. Inclusive Education aims at restructuring and transforming schools and curricula, in order to promote needs-driven, holistic, effective, community-based and quality service delivery. However, the implementation of Inclusive Education poses complex problems to those involved. Knowledge, skills and attitudes are required in which most teachers, parents as well as personnel at the education support services are not yet trained. This necessitates a comprehensive solution, such as collaborative consultation. The educational psychologist thus needs to reflect on her current role, and should change and expand her role to that of a consultant. The report of the study commences with a theory framework in which collaborative consultation is explicated. The nature of collaboration as a constructivist learning and problem solving process, in whole school development for Inclusive Education, is discussed. Thereafter collaborative consultation as an ecosystemic approach to, and reflective practice in whole school development, is discussed and illustrated. The chapter ends by a summary of the role, knowledge, skills and attitudes of the consultant in whole school development for Inclusive Education. The theory framework is followed by a chapter on the design of the qualitative study, substantiating the choice of format and methods of data collection and analyses. A rich and tightly woven description of the chronological course of the research process is provided, when examples of raw data and data analysis from the sketches and transcriptions of the focus group and individual interviews are presented.

A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology) in the faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / This study aimed to explore parents’ perceptions on inclusive education in private South African schools with the focus on two inclusive practices: bridging classes and classroom facilitators. The sample for this study consisted of 10 parents from two private schools in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. A semi-structured in-depth interview schedule was devised to examine parents’ perceptions on the support and inclusive practices offered within their schools. The results indicated that majority of parents found bridging classes to be more beneficial than classroom facilitators in assisting children experiencing barriers to learning. Furthermore, results demonstrated that the quality of teaching ultimately influences the success of inclusive education within the school. / XL2018