This study investigated costs of inclusive special education. Specifically, there were three areas of study: a) changes in special education costs in eight school divisions before and after implementing an inclusive special education program (Group A); b) changes in special education costs in two school divisions, one inclusive and one not, when using a more precise calculation (Larson method) of special education costs (Group B); and c) a comparison of total special education costs for all school divisions in the state (where data were reported) before and after a state project to encourage inclusive special education (Group C). All calculations compared 1987-88 costs (pre-inclusion) to 1990-91 costs (post-inclusion), after adjusting 1987-88 costs to 1990-91 values. The study found that in the eight inclusive school divisions, six of the eight reduced the percentage of special education costs when compared to total costs. When looking at reported per pupil costs, only two of these eight divisions reported the cost of elementary special education at a lower level after inclusion. For secondary education, two different divisions of the eight reported the special education costs at a lower level after inclusion. None of the eight reported reduction in both secondary and elementary; half reported no reduction in either level after inclusion. The case study data found that the inclusive school division had an increase in special education costs, while the non-inclusive school division had a reduction in special education costs during the same time period. Recalculation using the Larson method showed that special education costs were approximately one and one-half times those reported by standard reporting procedures. The study also produced a more accurate method for determining regular education costs for special education students by calculating time special education students spent in regular education, using individual student data to determine the percent of time reported in special education. In all school divisions in Virginia reporting data, the study found a reduction of special education expenditures occurred during the three-year period, while the enrollment of special education increased during the same period of time. / Ed. D.

Thesis ( M. Ed.(Educational Management)) - Central University of technology, Free State, 2011 / The purpose of this study is to investigate teaching strategies that ensure the inclusivity of learners with physical and/or mental impairments in the mainstream schools in Lesotho. The intention being to equip educators with strategies that can be employed in order to address this didactical challenge at mainstream schools. The inclusion of impaired learners can be achieved only if teachers understand the purpose of inclusive education as defined by Van Rooyen and De Beer (2006) that inclusive education is an education system that ensures that all children learn and participate regardless of their disabilities. The study followed a mixed method approach, in the form of a survey, that is semi-structured questionnaire for teacher respondents while an observation coupled with informal discussion was utilized for the learner respondents. Population and sampling consisted of 211 teachers randomly drawn from 23 primary schools found in Berea and Maseru districts of Lesotho. The completed questionnaires were collected and analysed. The study found that there are challenges experienced by physically and/or mentally impaired learners with their teachers and peers. According to the findings of the research, Lesotho teachers in mainstream classes do not have enough training to work with impaired learners. Given this situation, it is not only recommended that the current group of teachers are re-skilled and re-trained through short courses and workshops, but also that teacher training colleges and university in Lesotho are encouraged to constantly review and update their programmes so that they are responsive to the professional needs of educators. Appropriate inclusive teaching strategies are also recommended to assist in addressing this challenge. Educators should be sufficiently supported by the para-professionals in order to make inclusive education successful. Government experts should work collaboratively with the Lesotho College of Education and the National University of Lesotho with regard to the attainment of these skills and competencies, in order to improve the work of the educators at schools. At school level, special educators should be hired in order to identify learners with impairments.

Thesis (Phd. (Education?)) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / In this research, the researcher focused on the level of knowledge and skills of foundation phase teachers on curriculum adaptations for learners with learning impairments. The sample consisted of 20 foundation phase teachers and 22 learners. Interviews were conducted with 20 teachers and the researcher observed the interaction between teachers and learners as well as the interaction between the learners themselves. Field notes were also taken during fieldwork. The findings indicated that most teachers understood what the adaptations were; although only few aspects of the curriculum were understood to be adapted to the needs of learners with learning impairments. Some teachers gave learners varying activities whilst other teachers gave all their learners the same activities. The teachers mentioned that they gave different activities to individual learners during expanded opportunity time, which was, according to the researcher, time consuming. The study recommends that the Learning Support Advisors (LSAs) and Subject Advisors (SAs) should conduct in-services training in which foundation phase teachers are trained in curriculum adaptations. Teachersshould be asked how they explore the meaning of curriculum adaptations. This strategy will help the facilitators to identify what teachers already know, and build on that knowledge. The question and answer technique will serve as an introduction to the training. The LSAs and the SAs should conduct the training using different teaching strategies. Thereafter, they should highlight strategies such as: Multilevel instruction; cognitive training which entails self - instruction, self - monitoring, scaffolded instruction and reciprocal teaching; content enhancement which entails graphic organizers; mnemonics and peer assisted learning strategy; direct instruction, peer tutoring and cooperative learning. The researcher designed the following models to improve the knowledge and skills of foundation phase teachers on the implementation of curriculum adaptations for learners with learning impairments: - In-service training model; - Curriculum adaptations model; - Model of an application for adaptation(s), and - A model of a record sheet for adaptation(s).

Text in Afrikaans / The young learner is in the developmental phase where he wants to master tasks successfully. When the learner experiences problems at school it influences his motivation and how he views himself. Learning disabled learners are exposed to academic failures and form negative views about their abilities and functioning. The effect of Gestalt play therapy on the self-esteem of the learning disabled learner was explored. The study was done through a baseline consisting of an adjusted Rosenberg's Self-esteem Questionnaire that was completed by educators and learners before and after the therapeutic program. Because of the learners' learning disability, they used an aid namely "Talking-Mats". Although learning disabilities influenced the learners' self-evaluations substantively, the learners' circumstances at home further substantively influenced their self-esteem. It seems that Gestalt play therapy did have a positive effect on the self-esteem of learning disabled learners. / Social work / M. Diac.

No abstract available / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Didactics)

Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Disabled adolescents are vulnerable to HIV infection particularly in countries like South Africa which has one of the largest HIV epidemics in the world. Like able-bodied adolescents, adolescents with disabilities are at a critical stage of their psychosocial and sexual development. They may be at risk of sexual abuse as perpetrators may believe that they are incapable of defending themselves or reporting the crime to the authorities. Deaf or hard of hearing adolescents are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS due to similar risk factors to other disabled adolescents. They also face difficulties in communicating with hearing people and receiving information in sign language, and they share characteristics with minority ethnic groups, which make them hard to reach for HIV prevention campaigns. There is a paucity of research in South Africa investigating the role of schools for Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents in delivering appropriate HIV and sexuality education to their learners. This thesis is an exploratory study and investigates HIV prevention issues for Deaf or hard of hearing adolescents in South Africa. More specifically, I aim to determine the ways in which participants believe schools, health systems and other organizations contribute or fail to contribute to the HIV/AIDS prevention needs of Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents. The study includes qualitative interviews with employees of Deaf organizations, educators of Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents, parents of Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents and Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents themselves in relation to sexuality and HIV related issues. Results indicate that Deaf organizations have an interest in the HIV prevention needs of the Deaf community and in Deaf schools. However they have experienced obstacles in delivering HIV education to learners. These obstacles include communication barriers as well as the fact that religious environments in some of the schools may not always be experienced as conducive to HIV education. Although all educators of Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents interviewed in the previous phase of the study were aware that their learners are at risk of HIV/AIDS, some educators of Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents were constrained by the same issues of morality and religious conviction discussed in the first phase. Some participants had made efforts to produce appropriate HIV and sexuality materials for Deaf learners. Parents of Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents were affected by communication barriers with their children but seemed unaware of the religious ethos of many of the schools their children attended. The Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents knew they could be at risk of HIV/AIDS. Some displayed poor knowledge of HIV transmission. There are a number of issues to be addressed if schools for Deaf and hard of hearing learners are to provide adequate HIV/AIDS prevention information to their learners. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gestremde adolessente is kwesbaar vir MIV-infeksie veral in lande soos Suid-Afrika wat een van die grootste MIV-epidemies ter wêreld het. Soos nie-gestremde adolessente is gestremde adolessente in 'n kritieke stadium van hul psigososiale en seksuele ontwikkeling. Oortreders van seksuele misbruik mag gestermde adolessente beskou as sagte teikens aangesien daar die persepsie is dat hulle minder in staat is om hulself te verdedig of minder geneig is om `n misdaad by die owerhede te rapporteer. Dowe of hardhorende adolessente is kwesbaar vir MIV / VIGS vir redes war soortgelyk is aan die van ander gestremde adolessente. Dowe of hardhorende adolessente vind dit problematies om met horende (nie-gestremde) mense te komminikeer, inligting in gebaretaal te ontvang, en deel eienskappe met etniese minderheidsgroepe wat dit moeilik maak om hulle deur middel van MIV voorkomingsveldtogte te bereik. Daar is 'n gebrek aan navorsing in Suid-Afrika oor die rol wat skole vir dowe en hardhorende adolessente speel in die lewering van geskikte MIV en seksualiteitsopvoeding. Hierdie proefskrif verken en ondersoek kwessies met betrekking tot MIV-voorkoming onder dowe en hardhorende adolessente in Suid-Afrika. Meer spesifiek was die doel van hierdie studie om vas te stel wat deelnemers se persepsies is oor die bydrae of gebrek aan bydrae van skole, gesondheids-en ander organisasies tot die behoeftes van dowe en hardhorende adolessente wanneer dit kom by die voorkoming van MIV/ VIGS. Gedurende die studie is kwalitatiewe onderhoude met die volgende deelnemers gevoer: die werknemers van organisasies vir dowes; die onderwysers van dowes, ouers van dowe en hardhorende adolessente. Die onderhoude het hoofsaaklik gehandel oor seksualiteit en MIV-verwante kwessies onder gehoor gestremde adolessente. Die studie het bevind dat organisasies vir dowes `n belangstelling toon in die behoeftes van dowe gemeenskappe en skole vir dowes wanneer dit kom by MIV-voorkomming. Hulle het dit egter met tye problematies gevind om leerders op te voed oor MIV weens verskeie hindernisse. Hierdie hindernisse sluit in kommunikasie-hindernisse sowel as die godsdienstige etos wat wat in sommige skole teenwoordig is en wat nie altyd bevorderlik is tot MIV-onderrig nie. Alhoewel al die opvoeders van dowe en hardhorende adolessente gedurende die vorige fase van die studie aangedui het dat hul wel bewus is van leerders se risiko vir MIV/VIGS word sommige van hulle beperk deur bogenoemde kwessies van moraliteit en godsdienstige oortuiging. Sommige deelnemers het daarop gedui dat hul pogings aangewend het om geskikte materiaal te produseer wat spreek tot MIV en seksualiteit onder dowe leerders. Ouers van dowe en hardhorende adolessente was bewus van en word beïnvloed deur kommunikasie-hindernisse, maar was nie bewus van die godsdienstige etos van die skole wat hul kinders bywoon nie. Dowe en hardhorende adolessente was bewus daarvan dat hulle die risiko loop om MIV / vigs op te doen, maar dit blyk dat sommige min kennis dra oor MIV-oordrag. Daar is 'n aantal kwessies wat aangespreek moet word voordat skole vir dowes en hardhorendes instaat sal wees om geskikte MIV/VIGS voorkomingsprogramme aanbied te bied wat voldoen aan die behoeftes van leerders.

Thesis (M Social Work(Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The study emanates from the social worker’s intervention as facilitator for learners with disabilities in inclusive education. The aim of the study was to explore and explain the role of the social worker as facilitator in inclusive education. When learners with disabilities are placed in mainstream schools, there should be some means whereby the mainstream school system provides specialised support for their needs. An exploratory research design together with a qualitative research approach was chosen in order to obtain knowledge, insight and understanding regarding the role of the social worker as facilitator for learners with disabilities in inclusive education. A literature review was conducted to obtain a perspective of research done in this field. Much research has been documented regarding inclusive education. However no research has been done regarding the role of the social worker as facilitator for learners with disabilities in inclusive education. The empirical investigation consisted of case studies of two boys during middle childhood that were included in inclusive schools with the help of a facilitator. The findings of the investigation were in line with what was found in the literature study, namely that learners with disabilities can function successfully in inclusive schools with the help of a facilitator. Throughout the discussion it seemed clear that the social worker does not need new skills to be able to facilitate learners with disabilities in inclusive schools. The social worker can draw on already existing skills as discussed in the study.

Thesis(MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditionally, schools for Deaf learners taught the language arts within a behaviouristic model with the result that language was broken down into parts and sub-skills and presented in a de-contextualised way. This approach to teaching was sequentially building from the simplest to the most complex form. In contrast to this, the Whole Language approach focuses on a holistic and integrated approach where all language forms are contextualised. Deaf learners need to acquire language as well as develop language before actively engaging in oracy and literacy. With the acceptance of Sign Language as part of the Total Communication philosophy, the medium of instruction is English/Afrikaans/Xhosa in the printed and written form. This necessitates a move towards an approach in which the teaching and learning of language is meaningful, as well as functional such as the Whole Language approach which includes aspects of constructivist theory, appropriate beliefs and effective practice. This research focused on the factors influencing teachers' acceptance and problems experienced as well as the literacy development of the Deaf learner during implementation and facilitation of the Whole language approach. The qualitative design accommodated the exploratory contextual nature of this type of research. The research methodology was a qualitative case study, consisting of three experienced teachers of the Deaf and twenty Deaf learners with varying degrees of hearing losses and mixed language abilities. The methods used during data collection were interviews, journal entries, workshops, and observations. Data analysis was done by using the procedure of open coding where manageable units of data were coded into categories and themes. These themes and categories were interpreted and correlated with the literature. The researcher facilitated the implementation of the Whole Language approach by providing the resource material, building trusting relationships and continuously consulting with the teachers involved in the study. The findings of the study shows that learners abilities such as confidence, risk taking, interest, power sharing, trust, motivation and active learning contributed to learners engaging in the language system - oracy and literacy whilst it extended and enriched the teachers' practices and teaching strategies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tradisioneel het skole vir Dowe leerders taal binne 'n behaviouristiese raamwerk onderrig wat tot gevolg gehad het dat taal in kleiner eenhede en subvaardighede, sonder 'n bekende konteks, aangebied is. Hierdie benadering is stapsgewys aangebied vanaf die eenvoudigste tot die mees ingewikkelde vorm. Hierteenoor staan die Geheeltaalbenadering waar klem geplaas word op 'n holistiese, geïntegreerde benadering waar alle taalfasette gekontekstualiseer word. Die verwerwing en ontwikkeling van taal is 'n voorvereiste vir die Dowe leerder se kommunikasie ("oracy") - en geletterdheidsvaardighede (lees en skryf). Met die aanvaarding van Gebaretaal as deel van die Totale kommunikasie filosofie, word Engels/Afrikaans/Xhosa die onderrigmedium ten opsigte van lees en skryf. Gevolglik is dit noodsaaklik om 'n benadering te volg waar klem gelê word op betekenis om sodoende aan die taalbehoeftes van die Dowe leerder te voldoen. Die Geheeltaalbenadering voldoen aan hierdie vereistes ten opsigte van die teoretiese begronding, die konstruktivistiese filosofie, toepaslike geloofsisteme asook die effektiewe praktyk. Hierdie navorsing is toegespits op die geletterdheidsontwikkeling van die Dowe leerder en die faktore wat die onderwysers se aanvaarding tydens implementering en fasilitering van die Geheeltaalbenadering 'n rol gespeel het. Die kwalitatiewe aard van die navorsingsontwerp het In verkennende en kontekstueel-beskrywende vorm aangeneem. Die navorsingsmetodologie het gebruik gemaak van 'n enkel gevallestudie waaraan drie ervare onderwysers en twintig Dowe leerders deelgeneem het en verskillende grade van gehoorverlies en taalvaardigheidsvlakke openbaarhet. Die metode van data-insameling wat gebruik is, is onderhoude, joernaalinskrywings, werkswinkels en observasie. Die data-ontleding was gedoen deur gebruik te maak van 'n cop koderingsprosedure, waar hanteerbare data-eenhede gekodeer is in temas en kategorieë. Laasgenoemde is met behulp van literatuur geïnterpreteer en gekorreleer. Die navorser het die Geheeltaalbenadering geïmplementeer en gefasiliteer, deur hulpmiddels te voorsien, sowel as om betroubare verhoudings en effektiewe samewerking tussen kollegas te bewerkstellig. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie het gedui dat leerders se vaardighede soos motivering, bereidheid om te waag, belangstelling, wedywering en vertroue 'n bydrae gelewer het tot h/sy inskakeling as aktiewe leerder ten opsigte van die taalsisteem (kommunikasie en geletterdheid) terwyl die onderwysers se onderwyspraktyk en onderrigstrategieë uitgebrei en verryk is.

Thesis(MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Following the United Kingdoms of Great Britain Government's commitment to social inclusion in the 1990s, dramatic changes have taken place in education policy. A large amount of time and money has been invested into the development of inclusive practices, one of the more recent programmes being the Learning Support Unit (LSU). The LSU programme is seen as a way forward for social inclusion and now it is playing a growing role in the context of national strategies to improve behaviour and attendance. As little evaluation research has been done, this study aims to verify good practice in relation to the guidelines set out by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES, 2002b) and identify whether the LSU programme is truly an inclusive model. Given the commitment to inclusive education the world over, this study also seeks to assess whether the LSU programme would work within the South African Inclusive Education and Training Policy. An interpretive approach was applied to the research undertaking a programme evaluation. The qualitative techniques of interviewing, observations and discussions were used for data collection. Interviews were conducted with LSU managers and their pupils, which were then triangulated with data obtained from observations, informal and focus group discussions. Using an interpretive approach allowed me to become immersed in the research process and develop an intuitive feel for the subject. This enabled more effective verification of good practice in use. Interpreting the experiences and beliefs of LSU managers and their pupils in the London Borough of Hillingdon has verified a range of good practices. It is particularly important that LSUs are an extension of, and fully integrated into, whole school behaviour policy. The LSU programme promotes social inclusion by offering in-school support to pupils with behavioural, social and emotional development needs. These needs are addressed through a short-term fixed period stay in the LSU while the pupils still engage in the curriculum and their reintegration back into class facilitated. The LSU programme could compliment the South African Inclusive Education and Training Policy by offering a viable programme to address challenging behaviour in an inclusive manner. In conclusion, the LSUs have proved to be effective in introducing social inclusion in schools. This is achieved through their uniqueness, which allows them to target the greatest needs in their school. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onderwysbeleid in die Verenigde Koninkryk het dramatiese veranderinge ondergaan ná die regering van die Verenigde Koninkryk se verbintenis tot sosiale insluiting in die negentigerjare van die vorige eeu. 'n Groot hoeveelheid tyd en geld is bestee aan die ontwikkeling van inklusiewe praktyke. Een van die jongste programme is die Leerondersteuningseenheid (LSE). Die LSE-program word gesien as 'n stap vorentoe in die rigting van sosiale insluiting en dit speel tans toenemend 'n rol in die bepaling van nasionale strategieë vir die verbetering van gedrag en bywoning. Aangesien min evalueringsnavorsing tot dusver gedoen is, beoog hierdie navorsing om goeie praktyk in die lig van die riglyne soos uiteengesit deur die Departement van Onderwys en Vaardighede van die Verenigde Koninkryk (DfES, 2002b) te ondersoek en om te vas te stelof die LSE-program 'n waarlik inklusiewe model is. Met inagneming van die verbintenis tot inklusiewe onderwys wêreldwyd, poog hierdie navorsing ook om te bepaal of die LSE-program binne die Suid-Afrikaanse inklusiewe Onderwys- en Opleidingsbeleid met sukses aangewend sou kon word. 'n Interpretatiewe benadering is gevolg met betrekking tot die navorsing waartydens 'n evaluering van die programme gemaak is. Die kwalitatiewe tegnieke van onderhoudvoering, waarneming en bespreking is gebruik vir die insameling van data. Onderhoude is gevoer met Leerondersteuningseenheid-bestuurders en hulle leerders, wat dan weer getrianguleer is met data wat uit waarnemings, informele besprekings en fokusgroep-besprekings verkry is. Die gebruik van 'n interpretatiewe benadering het die navorser in staat gestelom verdiep te raak in die navorsingsproses en 'n intuïtiewe aanvoeling vir die onderwerp te ontwikkel. Dit het doeltreffender verifikasie van goeie praktyk wat tans gebruik word, moontlik gemaak. Die interpretasie van die ervaringe en oortuigings van Leerondersteuningseenheidbestuurders en hulle leerlinge in die distrik Hillingdon, Londen, het bewys gelewer van 'n reeks goeie praktyke. Dit is veral belangrik dat die LSE-program 'n uitbreiding is van geheelskool- gedragsbeleid, en ook ten volle daarin geïntegreer is. Die LSE-program werk sosiale insluiting in die hand deur inskoolse ondersteuning aan leerlinge met gedrags-, sosiale en emosionele ontwikkelingsbehoeftes te bied. Daar word tydens 'n vasgestelde korttermynbywoning van die LSE na hierdie behoeftes omgesien terwyl die leerlinge steeds by die kurrikulum betrokke is en hulle heropname in die klas gefasiliteer word. Die LSE-program sou as aanvulling tot die Suid-Afrikaanse Beleid van Inklusiewe Onderwys en Opleiding kon dien deurdat dit 'n lewensvatbare program aanbied waardeur uitdagende gedrag op 'n inklusiewe wyse aandag kry. Ten slotte kan genoem word dat die LSE-program as doeltreffend bewys is by die invoer van sosiale insluiting in skole. Dit is vermag deur hulle eensoortigheid waardeur die grootste behoeftes in die besondere skool bereik kan word.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was undertaken to identify key aspects related to the promotion of the effective inclusion of a learner with Down Syndrome in a mainstream school and at the same time to give close attention to the implementation of the principles of inclusive education. The study was done over a period of four years in an Afrikaans medium primary school in a large rural town. The Educational Management and Development Centre (EMDC) in the region in which the school is situated is currently promoting and implementing inclusive education and the proposals set out in the Education White Paper 6. The findings of this study will be used to support and encourage this process (also at grassroots level) as well as the inclusion of learners with Down Syndrome. The study takes the form of a single case study and falls within an interprevistlconstructivist paradigm. Qualitative research methods were used to develop an understanding and an insight into the key aspects in order to promote the successful inclusion of learners with Down Syndrome. The primary methods of investigation were four individual interviews and one focus group interview with educators. The data generated in this manner was verified by means of recent literature, observations and available documents. During the process of data analysis the data were reduced to four themes relating to the inclusion of learners with Down Syndrome: attitudes and views with regard to inclusion, the address of specific challenges with which mainstream education is presented, specific strategies for promoting inclusion and the value that inclusion holds for mainstream education. The findings show that the principles of inclusive education and the educational practice associated with it do take into account the barriers to learning and development that learners with Down Syndrome experience: these barriers can be addressed within mainstream education. The key aspects attached to this depend mainly on the attitudes and views of the school and parent community, the address of the challenges such a learner presents, the use of specific educational and teaching strategies to promote inclusion and the acknowledgment of the value that inclusion holds for mainstream education. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is onderneem om die kernaspekte ter bevordering van effektiewe insluiting van 'n leerder met Downsindroom in 'n hoofstroomskool te identifiseer en terselfdertyd die implementering van die beginsels van inklusiewe onderwys onder die loep te neem. Die studie is oor 'n tydperk van vier jaar in 'n Afrikaansmedium laerskool op 'n groot plattelandse dorp onderneem. Die Onderwysbestuur- en Ontwikkelingsentrum (OBOS) van die streek waarbinne die betrokke skool geleë is, is besig om inklusiewe onderwys en die voorstelle soos in Onderwys Witskrif 6 uiteengesit aktief te bevorder en te implementeer. Die bevindinge van die studie sal aangewend word ter ondersteuning en bevordering van hierdie proses (ook op voetsoolvlak), sowel as die insluiting van ander leerders met Downsindroom. Die studie het die vorm van 'n indiwiduele gevallestudie aangeneem en is vanuit 'n interpretatiewe/konstruktiwistiese paradigma benader. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is aangewend ten einde begrip en insig te ontwikkelomtrent die kernaspekte ter bevordering van effektiewe insluiting van leerders met Downsindroom. Die primêre metode van ondersoek was vier indiwiduele onderhoude en een fokusgroep onderhoud met opvoeders. Die data wat op hierdie wyse gegenereer is, is aan die hand van resente literatuur, observasies en beskikbare dokumente geverifieer. Die proses van data-analise het die data tot vier temas met betrekking tot die insluiting van 'n leerder met Downsindroom gereduseer, naamlik houdings en sieninge ten opsigte van sodanige insluiting, die aanspreek van spesifieke uitdagings wat aan hoofstroomonderwys gestel word, spesifieke strategieë om insluiting te bevorder en die waarde wat insluiting tot hoofstroomonderwys toevoeg. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat die beginsels van inklusiewe onderwys en onderwyspraktyk daaraan verbonde, voorsiening maak dat die algemene hindernisse tot leer en onwikkeling wat leerders met Downsindroom ondervind effektief binne hoofstroomonderwys aangespreek kan word. Die kernaspekte hieraan verbonde berus hoofsaaklik op die houdings en sieninge van die skool- en ouergemeenskap, die aanspreek van die uitdagings wat so In leerder stel, die benutting van spesifieke onderwys- en onderrigstrategieë ter bevordering van insluiting en die erkenning van die waarde wat die insluiting van In leerder met Downsindroom tot hoofstroomonderwys toevoeg.