Following Through on South Korea's Commitment to Inclusive Education: The Role of Teacher Education

• In Event: 18.071 - Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: 18.071-9 - Global Challenges and Opportunities in Teacher Education: Equity, Inclusion, and Entry Into the Profession

Abstract

We present the results of a qualitative study in which we examined the role of teacher education within the context of the South Korean government’s recent policy shift towards inclusive education. We first outline the structure of the country’s teacher education programs and discuss the government’s recent emphasis on providing access to general education for students identified as having disabilities. We then present results of interviews with teacher educators who teach courses aimed at promoting inclusive education. Our findings reveal both challenges and possibilities when attempting to promote inclusive education in general education teacher preparation programs. We conclude by discussing implications for the United States and suggest the importance of considering transnational knowledge in the development of inclusive teacher education.

Authors

• Justin Freedman, Syracuse University

• Yosung Song, Syracuse University