Integrating Diversity: A Challenge to the Vision and Leadership of School Principals

Authors

  • Nancy Nelson

Keywords:

Integration, Diversity, Vision, Ethos, Leadership, Principal, Inclusion, Disability, Disabilities, Resources, Attitudes, Legislation, Requirements, British Columbia, Advocates, Diverse, Position, Initiative, Action Plans, Approach

Abstract

In spite of major obstacles to the successful integration of children with disabilities into ordinary schools such as inadequate resources and financial constraints, attitudes of school principals constitute significant factors in implementing change. Studies relating to the challenge presented to schools by legislative requirements in British Columbia, indicate that principals, as advocates for diverse learners, occupy pivotal positions in linking initiatives to effective action plans.

References

Center, Y., Ward, J. & Ferguson, C. (1991). Towards an Index to Evaluate the Integration of Children with Disabilities into Regular Classes. Educational Psychology, 11-1.

Center, Y., Ward, J., Parmenter, T, & Nash, R. (1985). Principals' Attitudes Towards the Integration of Disabled Children into Regular Schools, The Exceptional Child. 32-3.

Davis, W.E., (1980). Public School Principals' Attitudes Toward Mainstreaming Retarded Pupils. Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded. 174.

Everitt, E. (1990). Principal Leadership. The Principal Letters: Practices For Inclusive Schools. 2.

Hodgkinson, C. (1988). The Value Bases of Administrative Action. EAF Journal of Educational Administration and Foundations. 3-1. (20-30)

Kaufman, J., Gottlieb J., Agard, J. & Kukic, M. (1975). Mainstreaming: towards an explanation of construct. Focus on Exceptional Children 7-3 (1-12).

Moorhead, R. & Nediger, W. (1991). The Impact of Values on a Principal's Daily Activities. Journal of Educational Administration. 29-2.

Ministry of Education, Province of British Columbia. (1989). Bill 13. Victoria, B.C. Queen's Printer for British Columbia.

Nelson, N.V. (1992). Principals and Mainstreaming - the Impact of Change. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C.

O'Reilly, R. (1991). The Administrator's Role in Special Education. The Journal of the Council on School Administration of the Aberta, Teachers' Association. 28-1.

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Published

1995-11-11

How to Cite

Nelson, N. (1995). Integrating Diversity: A Challenge to the Vision and Leadership of School Principals. REACH: Journal of Inclusive Education in Ireland, 8(2), 95–100. Retrieved from https://reachjournal.ie/index.php/reach/article/view/400

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (1995)

Section

Articles

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