The Evaluation of Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions about Implementation of Inclusive Education

Disabilities Education Act was introduced in June, 1997 in The Turkish Education System. The Act states that schools have a duty to educate children with disabilities in general education classrooms. The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions of teachers about implementation of inclusive education in elementary schools. In order to collect data for this study, a questionnaire, which was consisted of six parts. The survey administered to 200 elementary teachers who were working primary schools and taught 1-5 grades. Primary school teachers generally have a positive attitude about inclusive education and the philosophical and psychological foundation of it. However, they express some difficulties of implementation of inclusive classrooms. A crowded classroom and insufficient teaching materials for inclusive classroom are a main obstacle to obtain desired objectives in educational activities. A level of student disabilities is related to effectiveness of classroom management. The effectiveness of inclusive education does not only depend on qualities of teacher but also schools’ phyisical capasities and teaching materials for inclusive education.