Comparative Study of Program Effectiveness for the Education of Children With Hearing Impairment (The case of Special class, integrated and special schools in Addis Ababa, Harar and Hosaena)
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Date
2007-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to assess program effectiveness for the education of
children with hearing impairment among the different placement arrangements like
special schools, special classes and integrated setting. Accordingly, attempts have been
made to assess educational conditions and academic problems of chi ldren with hearing
impairment in Addis Ababa, Harar and Hosaena.
The data was collected through questionnaire, observation, interviews and Engli sh
comprehension test developed by the researcher from 43 grade 8 students with hearing
impairment, 14 parents, and 15 grade 8 teachers from five schools. Purposeful sampling
and stratified random samplings were used in se lecting the respondents.
Analysis of the data was made uSlllg qualitative teclmique complemented with
quanti tative (comparison of means) methods. T-Test was used to deal with the
significance of the comparison. Results of the study showed that children in the special
schools are performing significantly better in academics and sociali zation, than those
children placed in integrated and special class unit. The classrooms of special class un it
and Integrated School were found ill-equipped and lacked the major determinants of
effective teaching like valuable management, well trained teaching staff, adequate
budget, supportive professionals and faci lities needed for aiding teaching. On the other
hand, the education being deli vered in the special schools particularly the boarding
school was well organi zed and supported by professionals. The children in special school
performed on Engli sh comprehension test better than those in special class unit and
integrated schools. The finding of the study also showed that these children are also
better on social development compared to those children in integrated setting and special
class uni t.
Finally, in accordance with the findings recommendations are forwarded in order to
improve the situation in integrated and special class unit, and to strengthen the
educational deli very in the special schools as a whole.
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Keywords
Education of Children With Hearing Impairment