Estonian Vocational Teachers' Attitudes towards Inclusive Education for Students with Special Educational Needs.

This paper presents the findings from research conducted with two samples of teachers from Estonian Vocational Schools. The first sample comprised a group of teachers who had received professional development directly related to the management of students with special educational needs in vocational education settings. Their attitudes and expectations of students with special educational needs were compared to those of a larger second sample of similar teachers who had not received training in this area. Differences of attitudes are discussed in relation to the findings from similar studies conducted elsewhere in Europe, including a developing literature from eastern European states. The paper concludes that whilst most teachers in Estonian Vocational Schools demonstrate positive attitudes towards the greater inclusion of students with special educational needs, concerns remain with regards to the readiness of these schools to accept such pupils onto existing courses. Training of teachers emerges as a critical factor in promoting inclusive practice and there is evidence of the support provided to a cohort of teachers through training courses having positively influenced attitudes and expectations.