Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Pamukkale University Journal of Education, cilt.0, ss.328-354, 2021 (ESCI)
The purpose of this research is to discuss teacher competencies and qualifications in special education schools, special education classes, counseling and research centers (CRC), and special education rehabilitation centers (SERC) for providing educational support services (ESS) to individuals with special needs (SEN). This research was designed as qualitative research, and focus group interviews were chosen as a data collection technique. Sixty-two teachers working in CRCs, SERCs, special education schools, and classes participated in the research. A descriptive analysis method, which is used in qualitative research methods, was used in order to analyze the research data. The findings of the research were examined under six themes. It was found that the teachers (including special education teachers) had difficulty in teaching skills and concepts, interfering problem behaviors, providing sexual education with students and parent training, communicating with families in their native language, planning a student's individual education planning (IEP), assessing students formally and informally, and adapting to technology for the goals of IEP. Furthermore, in an inclusive education system, teachers do not/cannot offer support services to those with diverse languages, religions, cultures, and sexual orientations. On the other hand, this research concluded that teachers who spoke with students and families in their native language were more effective in improving students.