Special Education Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Knowledge of Learning Disabilities in inclusive Education in Qatar

Abstract

It has been almost two decades since inclusive education was incorporated in Qatar’s education system, during which the country has heavily invested in enhancing its inclusive education. In this study, we examine Qatar’s inclusive education efforts through the lens of special education teachers’ self-efficacy and their knowledge of learning disabilities. We surveyed 137 teachers to determine their self-efficacy in five areas: classroom management, instructional strategies and accommodations, building relationships with students with disabilities, effects on student learning, and ability to promote acceptance among the learning community of those with disabilities. We also examined their knowledge of fundamental issues about learning disabilities in three areas: nature and characteristics, service delivery and intervention, and information sources. Although overall ratings of self-efficacy beliefs were low, scores were high for female teachers, teachers with less experience, and some younger teachers; these are promising workforce strengths which should be capitalized upon. The teachers reported some fundamental knowledge about learning disabilities, though they emphasized students’ behavioural difficulties over academic ones and saw their challenges to be more student-centred than teacher- or system-focused. In addition, their repertoires of instructional approaches were limited. Such topics should be more strongly targeted in both pre-service preparation and continuing professional development.