Developing strong school leadership and teacher capacity is pivotal to improving social and educational outcomes for students in special classes, according to a new ESRI report published today (9 August 2016). Special Classes in Irish Schools, commissioned by the National Council for Special Education, tracked the experiences of students and staff over two years in six primary and six post-primary schools to evaluate if special classes meet the needs of students with special educational needs.

The report found that schools take varied approaches to establishing and operating special classes and concluded that principals who adopt a positive whole-school approach to inclusion and teachers who have appropriate skills are most likely to create an environment where students with special educational needs can thrive.

Click here for full article ...