IDENTIFYING POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN THE BALKANS

The objective of the project was to design and analyze existing pre-service policies and practices and teacher preparation service with the aim to explore the space for improvements in skills development, and the competencies needed for inclusive education practices by primary and secondary education teachers. In 2009, the ETF initiated a study on “Identifying Policies and Practices for Inclusive Education in the Balkans”, which was completed in 2010. The overall objective of this research project was to contribute to the promotion of education and the training of inclusive policies in the Western Balkan countries in contexts of social and cultural diversity. The project implementation is divided into four phases: Drafting a conceptual framework based on the results of contemporary research in the field of inclusion, teacher preparation and teacher thinking. Identifying the space between a desired image of a teacher competent for the practices of inclusive education and existing policies for training primary and secondary school teachers. The work is done through office research, questionnaires and the mission of the country. Drafting reports of seven Western Balkan countries: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Drafting a cross-country report to synthesize the findings of the studies of 7 countries. During 2010-2011 the ETF has carried out the Regional Report “Teachers for the Future”. The report draws together and analyzes the results of research from the seven countries’ reports. The main aim was to provide evidence for improving the policies and practices for teacher development in the Western Balkans. Key results:

1. Common methodology and description of country reports;
2. Country reports;
3. Conceptual frameworks for comparative study of national reports;
4. Summary report