This article examines the implementation of new special education legislation in Finland among students with significant disabilities. The data consist of a nationwide survey and field observations. In the analysis, a policy implementation framework is utilized as a theoretical lens. The findings suggest that schools and municipalities that had participated in long-term development projects had more capacity and willingness to reform special education practices substantially, suggesting that learning in one policy area can transfer to other domains across multiple levels of national and local governments. The key findings highlight the significance of professional trust as a policy instrument in implementation.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to produce an overview of topics and practical recommendations that have been presented for teaching for students with intellectual disabilities in educational research articles published from 2000 to 2013. The sample of peer-reviewed research articles considering this topic was selected using a database search of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC). To represent the richness of this research area, the topic was purposely left broad, and the outline was made by focusing on the practical implications of research articles. These recommendations were identified, classified, synthesized, and evaluated. The implications for practice and research are presented based on the findings of this study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of early educational quality on children's cortisol levels. It was hypothesised that the environmental stressors might load children's immature stress regulative systems thus affecting their diurnal cortisol levels. The study sample consisted of 146 preschool-aged children. Cortisol was measured during one day across five time points. The quality of learning environment was evaluated with the Learning Environment Assessment, focusing on indicators of psychological, physiological and social safety. The results revealed a typical daily rhythm in cortisol production characterised by higher levels in the morning on waking up followed by a decrease towards the afternoon and evening. In addition, the single early morning cortisol peak and the evening nadir indicated an average established function of the HPAsystem. However, some children had cortisol pattern indicating clearly atypical HPA-activity. These children were sensitised to the effects of the learning environment. Low quality classroom arrangement and low quality team planning were associated with atypical cortisol patterns and with elevated cortisol levels.
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