Teacher awareness in the care of students with special educational needs: systematic review
Keywords:
SENSIBILIZACIÓN DOCENTE; INCLUSIÓN EDUCATIVA; NECESIDADES EDUCATIVAS ESPECIALES.; TEACHER AWARENESS; EDUCATIONAL INCLUSION; SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.; SENSIBILIZAÇÃO DOCENTE; INCLUSÃO EDUCACIONAL; NECESSIDADES EDUCACIONAIS ESPECIAIS.Abstract
Introduction: teachers' attitudes toward inclusion are mediated by factors such as perceived self-efficacy in teaching in diverse contexts, prior experiences with students with special educational needs, the quality of teacher training received, and the level of available institutional support.
Objective: to determine whether teacher awareness programs improve inclusive attitudes, skills, and practices among teachers responsible for working with students with special educational needs.
Methods: a systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted across various databases. The search was carried out using an algorithm with keywords and Boolean operators, allowing the identification of relevant sources. The selected studies, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, were critically analyzed considering timeliness, methodological quality, and thematic relevance, and were integrated into the final synthesis of the review.
Development: teacher awareness of special educational needs is a crucial element for building truly inclusive pedagogical practices. However, this awareness does not operate as an automatic or linear phenomenon, but rather as a complex process that articulates attitudes, beliefs, emotions, institutional contexts, and significant training experiences. When awareness processes are designed intentionally and sustainably, significant improvements are observed in teachers' attitudes, perceptions of professional self-efficacy, and willingness to work inclusively.
Conclusions: building shared ego-conscious mindsets is fundamental, enabling teachers to consider decisions from the perspective of their collective impact and recognize that awareness, more than a starting point, is a continuous process of ethical, social, and human responsibility.
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