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A needs assessment for capacity building among school personnel in behavioural assessments and interventions within SPED schools in Singapore
Author
Chen, Iris
Supervisor
Dutt, Anuradha Salil Kumar
Abstract
The prevalence of challenging behaviours among students in special education schools necessitates teachers to be adequately equipped in knowledge and skills to manage these behaviours. However, many studies (e.g. Westling, 2010) show that teachers are underprepared to provide effective function-based behavioural assessments and interventions to students with special needs. The current study aimed at investigating the level of training needs among special educators and teaching associates in function-based behavioural assessments and interventions within special education (SPED) schools in Singapore so that training customised to meet their specific learning needs could be developed. Using a Needs Assessment Survey that focused on skills in function-based behavioural assessments and interventions, we wanted to find out a) if there were differences in skill level and training needs between special educators and teaching associates and what these differences were, b) which variables predicted higher skill level or competencies among school personnel, and c) how reliable our needs assessment survey tool was in assessing the training needs for SPED school educators in Singapore. Four hundred and sixteen special educators and teaching associates from seven SPED schools participated in the study and completed the self-administered survey form twice within the school setting. The results indicated skills in behavioural assessments as a priority area for training among teaching associates and skills in interventions for managing severe challenging behaviours a training priority among special educators. These results suggest that separate in-service professional development programs are needed for the two groups of personnel. Years of experience and primary role were found to predict higher skill levels. With the psychometric properties (i.e. validity and reliability) of the current needs assessment survey established, SPED schools in Singapore are encouraged to use it to assist themselves in their planning and meeting the professional development needs of their school personnel.
Date Issued
2014
Call Number
LC3987.S55 Che
Date Submitted
2014