Teacherfs
Attitudes toward Integration: Validation of a Chinese Version of
the Attitudes toward Mainstreaming Scale (ATMS)
M. Yuen & P. Westwood |
This
paper discusses the importance of assessing teachers' attitudes to
integration as one important step in preparing school systems for
a move toward more inclusive modes of education. The Attitudes Toward
Mainstreaming Scale (ATMS) of Berryman, Neal, and Robinson (1980)
was translated into Chinese and the questionnaire completed by 310
Chinese secondary school teachers in Hong Kong. The Chinese Version
of the scale (C-ATMS) was found to have adequate internal consistency.
A principal components factor analysis with varimax solutions yielded
three meaningful factors: 1. Presumption of Learning Capability;
2. General Integration Issues; and 3. Presumption of Limited Capacity.
These three factors could reliably be reproduced in two separate
sub-samples (guidance teachers and non-guidance teachers). Potential
uses of the C-ATMS are discussed. Key words: mainstreaming, integration, inclusion, students with special needs, China special education, teachers' attitudes |