The Divide Between Inclusive Education Policy and Practice in Australia and the Way Forward

Australia's national legislation and policy have affirmed the right of children with disability, including developmental disabilities to inclusive education. Yet, policy reviews and empirical research have raised concerns about the misalignment between inclusive policy and practice across Austr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of policy and practice in intellectual disabilities 2021-03, Vol.18 (1), p.44-52
Main Authors: Mavropoulou, Sofia, Mann, Glenys, Carrington, Suzanne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Australia
developmental disability
inclusive education
intellectual disability
policy
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Summary:Australia's national legislation and policy have affirmed the right of children with disability, including developmental disabilities to inclusive education. Yet, policy reviews and empirical research have raised concerns about the misalignment between inclusive policy and practice across Australian states. Drawing from these sources, this article endeavors to reflect upon the divide between the Australian policy on inclusive education and inclusive practice by considering the advances, obstacles, and challenges in achieving systemic inclusive education in the Australian education context. In the last part, we offer four propositions that could close the gap between policy and practice and enable students with developmental disabilities to have access and be successful learners in their local mainstream school.
ISSN:1741-1122
1741-1130
DOI:10.1111/jppi.12373