Parents' view on the integration of the students with special needs in the mainstream education

Abstract

The present article is a qualitative research, aiming to answer the following question: "What is the parents' view regarding the integration of the students with special needs into mainstream schools?" In order to answer this question, the group interview method was employed. The focus group was attended by ten respondents, parents of the typical students of an urban school at the lower secondary school level. The results showed a positive attitude towards people with disabilities in general, but the degree of tolerance and acceptance of the parents decreases when it comes to integrating students with special educational needs with their own children. The data processed through content analysis is a starting point for future research into the community attitudes towards the inclusion of the students with special needs.