Browsing by Subject "Special education"

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    The mainstreaming debate: a survey of parents' views in a special school for intellectually handicapped children in a disadvantaged context in the Western Cape
    (1997) Nyewe, Peter Khwezi; Green, Lena
    The main purpose of this study was to investigate the range of beliefs that a certain group of South African parents held about the appropriate educational placement of their children with mild to moderate intellectual handicaps. The sample consisted of 14 parents of children with mild to moderate intellectual handicaps attending at a special school for intellectually handicapped children in a disadvantaged context in the Western Cape. In line with the qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews with open elided questions were used to collect the data. Interviews were used rather than questionnaires because parents were illiterate and they felt more comfortable and confident with a personal interview and were able to use their own language. The data were analyzed according to Glaser and Strauss' Constant Comparative method as described by Maykut and Morehouse (1994). As has been found in other research studies, the parents in this study were not in principle against mainstreaming or inclusion of their children. Rather, they were at present not supportive of it as they perceive the conditions at the ordinary school to be unstable for their children. The qualitative analysis outcome revealed that parents were concerned about· teacher qualities, acceptance of their children by the ordinary school children and the ordinary school curriculum which they felt was only focusing on academic subjects. Parent involvement and inclusion are central concepts in the reconstruction of education in South Africa. Inclusion of intellectually handicapped learners is being considered by policy makers but it is not likely to be successful without parent support. This study is a small contribution to the debate.
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    Primary school children at academic risk : a qualitative study of an educational psychology schools-based indirect service delivery strategy
    (1994) Duncan, Barry Donald; Van der Hoorn, Svea
    This study aims to locally contextualize and critically evaluate a PARENT COUNSELLOR ASSISTANCE (PCA) programme implemented in a local primary school. The programme investigated the possibility of providing an appropriate schools-based indirect service in the form of a consultation and counsellor assistance programme. This included reflecting on a consultative role of the educational psychologist as being a more appropriate role in keeping with the demands for a new unitary educational dispensation in South Africa. The design and methodology of the study was informed by the C.I.P.P (Context, Input, Process and Product) evaluation model (Stufflebeam, 1971) employed to assist in the evaluation of educational programmes. It focussed on using systematic early detection and screening procedures to identify children academically at risk. Parent Counsellor Assistants trained in non-directive play therapy were then matched individually with these children and worked with them on a weekly basis over a period of seven months. The educational psychologist acted as consultant to the programme in line with an indirect service delivery strategy. Data was collected through recorded observations of meetings, discussions, feedback sessions, consultations, questionnaires and informal contacts. Connors Behaviour Rating Scales were periodically completed by various participants and the Parent Counsellor Assistants maintained diaries of play therapy sessions. Children's drawings were also used where possible, to reflect on any positive developmental indicators emerging. Data analysis attempted to document the autopoetic development of the programme as it unfolded within the structure of the CIPP model, and within essentially a systemic perspective. The findings were that the PCA programme was successfully implemented as an indirect service delivery strategy. Parents working in partnership with teachers, supervised by a consulting educational psychologist, were able to assist primary school children at academic risk in coping more adequately with their school life. The programme was written for educators and allied groups interested in finding new strategies to service the needs of a rapidly changing educational system in South Africa, specifically in respect of special education services. Parent based indirect service delivery models using educational psychologists as consultants seems an appropriate strategy to service these needs.