• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.1683-1694
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• 2016

This study aims to investigate perception of kindergarten directors regarding prerequisites for inclusive education and its improvement plans, and to establish basic data required for future implementation of inclusive education in kindergartens. This study was carried out oriented to 116 kindergarten directors and inquired into the differences in background characteristics of age, education level, operation career, major, special/inclusive education training and operation of inclusive classes, based on SPSS 1.5 for Window, independent sample t-test and Chi-square test. The research results of this study are as follows: Firstly, as for the perception of kindergarten directors as prerequisite of inclusive education, they show active supports for inclusive education and recognize that classes composed of the same age and same ability are the advisable forms of inclusive education. As for class operations, they perceive that inclusive classes based on small group activities and full inclusive classes are suitable. Moreover, as qualified teachers for inclusive classes, they manifest that teachers who completed special/inclusive education training are appropriate. Secondly, as for the perception of kindergarten directors regarding improvement plans for inclusive education, this study suggests that they prioritize the training operation regarding inclusive education oriented to general infants and parents. As for vitalization of inclusive education, they find that financial supports at the national level and administrative supports for facilities are indispensable.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.115-134
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to understand children's negative attitudes exhibited towards peers with special needs in an inclusive kindergarten, utilizing ethnographic research methodology. The subjects consisted of 54 children undergoing typical development and three children with special needs in a public kindergarten in Busan metropolitan city. Data collection was conducted by means of participant observations and interviews took place from April until November, 2009. Our results revealed that the responses of 'not acknowledging presence', 'differentiating', 'adapting them to us', 'excluding at play' were major themes in children's negative attitudes exhibited towards peers with disabilities in an otherwise ostensibly inclusive kindergarten. The response of 'not acknowledging presence' was categorized as a way of ignoring their existence, whereas 'differentiating' was categorized as stressing difference, and assuring difference. There were two characteristics related to 'adapting them to us' : adapting them to our ways, adapting them to our knowledge. Concerning 'excluding from play', four characteristics were found : excluding indirectly, excluding directly, excluding illogically, and excluding by seeking majority accord. The implications of the findings for inclusive early childhood education were discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.385-386
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• 2016

The amended School Education Act, which was enacted in 2007, stipulated the implementation of the education that enables children with disabilities who attend elementary and middle schools to overcome their difficulties that were caused by their disabilities. In 2014, 49,706 of special needs education supporters were dispatched by using 53 billion Yen through local fiscal measures, which is the amount of budget that can dispatch 46,300 special needs education supporters; 5,638 to public kindergarten, 43,586 to public elementary and middle schools and 482 to public high schools. The number of special needs education supporters has increased steadily.