The impact of teacher preparation on preservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education in Qatar

Teachers' beliefs and attitudes are a significant component in the development and success of inclusive education. Research indicates that the foundation of positive attitudes toward inclusive education can be established in preservice-teacher-preparation programs. This study examines the change in preservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education following an inclusion-centered course, combined with an 18-hr practicum. Using the Multidimensional Attitudes toward Inclusive Education Scale (MATIES), 98 preservice teachers from primary and secondary teacher education programs in the College of Education at Qatar University in Doha, Qatar, were surveyed pre and post-course. It was found that all the participants' attitudes toward inclusive education changed significantly. No significant differences between primary and secondary preservice teachers were found at the end of the course. The results illustrated that combining information-based instruction with structured fieldwork experiences can potentially change preservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education. Implications for practice and future directions in research are considered

Examining Factors That Predict Arabic Word Reading in First and Second Graders

Although there is a growing research base on Arabic literacy development to inform our understanding of the factors that account for variability in word reading skill, the current body of research is limited by two major constraints. First, although several studies examine one or more early literacy constructs, we were able to locate only two studies that included phonological, orthographic and morphological factors together. Second, all of the studies conducted to date rely on the use of researcher-developed measures that include tasks associated with the construct(s) of interest, but that are not based on a comprehensive conceptual framework of these constructs. In this study, 188 students in grades 1–2 completed measures of phonological processing, orthographic knowledge, morphological awareness, and word reading. Results of multiple regression analyses indicate that phonological awareness, and, in particular, elision, accounted for significant variance in word reading, regardless of how word reading was measured. Morphological awareness and orthographic knowledge measures also accounted for significant variance in some word reading measures. RAN and Phonological Memory measures only contributed to some measures of word reading ability. Results are discussed in the context of the existing literature on Arabic. Implications and next steps for research are discussed

Career Advancement, Job Satisfaction, Career Retention, and Other Related Dimensions for Sustainability: A Perception Study of Qatari Public School Teachers

The lack of teacher retention directly impacts the sustainability of a nation’s educational goals and educational system. There are several influences on the retention of teachers, such as career advancement opportunities, job satisfaction, and other dimensions of being an educator. This survey research examines one hundred and sixty-seven Qatari teachers’ perceptions about Qatar’s current career advancement system and several related dimensions, such as professional development, professional competency, professional licensure system, and career advancement standards essential for sustainability. The findings demonstrate that Qatari teachers are dissatisfied with the current career advancement system, significantly influencing job satisfaction and career retention. In contrast, the influence on professional competencies enhanced for career advancement, obtaining a professional license for career advancement, and career advancement standards were insignificant. It is recommended that Qatar establish an improved career advancement system with career advancement initiatives that meet the needs of Qatari teachers to improve job satisfaction and retention.This publication was made possible by a National Priorities Research Program Grant [No. 13S-0209-200319] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The contents herein are solely the responsibility of the authors