Survey: inclusive education in CNMI adequate

A survey attempting to gauge general perceptions on the state of inclusive education for students with disabilities revealed that inclusive education in the CNMI is adequately provided.

According to a study commissioned by the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council, a sample of parents and teachers who responded to the survey indicated that they were satisfied with education activities that are being provided to children with disabilities in the Northern Marianas.

The study entitled “A Report of Parent and Educator Perceptions of Inclusive Education” was conducted by Dr. Barbara LeRoy of Wayne State University in Michigan for the CNMI DD Council, in collaboration with the DD Institute in Michigan.

Wayne State University is the same institution which completed an inclusive education handbook for the DD Council launched last month.

The survey was conducted to assess both parents’ and educators’ perceptions of the educational environment and program for students with disabilities.

Some 400 surveys were distributed to parents on all three islands. Out of the total number of survey questionnaires, 47 were returned which translates to an 11.75 percent return rate.

Among educators, 450 surveys were circulated, of which 142 survey forms were returned.

The study showed that across all measures, parents of elementary children expressed high level of satisfaction with school climate, school programs and their partnerships with teachers and administrations.

Also across all measures, teachers rated supports as effective and rated themselves as competent in all collaborative and promising practices.

Only in terms of percentage of teachers who were engaged in collaborative activities were the ratings relatively low (less than 50 percent of teachers engage in collaborative activities on a regular basis), results showed.

From among these respondents, researchers zeroed in on the conclusion that educators and parents have confidence in the way inclusive education is administered in the CNMI.

However, findings from the initial survey of parents and teachers generated additional questions which lead to recommendations.

One of the recommendations raised was the implementation of a survey for parents of secondary students.

It was also suggested that a follow-up assessment be conducted in the classroom setting, which would address issues of the quality, effectiveness, and impact of collaborative practices on teachers and students.

A follow-up assessment which would delve more into the barriers and behaviors that are limiting teachers’ ability to engage on a routine basis in collaborative activities is also being proposed.

Furthermore, the study also advised that experts examine more deeply elementary teachers’ concern with their limited ability to engage in collaborative activities to address behavior management and instructional accommodations in their classrooms.

Studies should likewise be conducted on secondary teachers’ concern with the relative ineffectiveness of co-teaching in their classrooms, the survey said.

The report on parent and teacher perceptions was completed late last year as part of DD Council’s year-long inclusive education project.

Program Officer Arlene Yamagata said the DD Council is currently working on conforming to the recommendations made through the study to further improve CNMI’s inclusive education programs for students with disabilities. (MM)