Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
This study examined concerns of 603 pre-service teachers regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities into regular schools prior to teachers obtaining training in special education. The sample of the study was selected from tertiary institutions located in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore. It was found that participants from Hong Kong and Singapore were significantly more concerned than participants from Australia and Canada. Three variables: confidence in teaching students with disabilities, knowledge of local disability policies or acts, and contact with persons with disabilities were found to be related significantly to their overall concern levels. The results of the study are discussed with possible implications for teacher educators.
Sharma et al. (2007) studied this question.