ABSTRACT

The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate teachers' attitudes towards inclusion using simple random sampling. The class teachers and the branch teachers at the primary and the secondary schools at the centre of the city of Edirne were the subjects of the study. One hundred teachers from 14 primary and secondary state schools were sampled. The 14 schools in the study were selected from neighbourhoods with different social and economic backgrounds. Simple random sampling method was used for determining the sample. A questionnaire of personal information and attitude scale for inclusion, which were prepared by the researcher herself, were used to determine personal characteristics of teachers and their attitudes towards inclusion. Independent sample t test and Kruskal Wallis-H test were used for statistical analysis.

The results indicated that attitudes of teachers towards inclusion were affected by age and teaching branch. Teachers opted positively towards inclusion with increasing age and professional experience. Class teachers took more positive attitude towards inclusion than branch teachers.