Situation and need for master degree syllabus in curriculum and instruction in special education at Khon Kaen University

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to study the situation regarding teachers and educational personnel on educational management for students with special needs in the Northeastern Region, 2) to study opinions about further study in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education, and 3) to study knowledge and understanding about further study in the Master Degree Program in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education. The sample was 500 teachers and educational personnel or related persons in special education in 19 provinces of the Northeastern Region chosen by the Simple Random Sampling Technique. The instrument was a questionnaire divided into 4 parts. There were 390 or 78% of questionnaire returned. Data were analyzed by computer program. The research findings can be concluded as follows: 1) For the state of teachers and educational personnel, it was found that most of the respondents were female (77.70%), under 30 years old (19.70%). Most of them were teachers with teaching practice (68.70%). Most of them graduated with a BachelorÕs Degree (87.70%) and did not have a degree in special education (76.20%). Most had monthly income of 10,001- 20,000 baht, (32.30%). 2) For needs, most of the respondents were interested in furthering their study at Master Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education of the Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University (69.23%). Most of them were interested in taking a special project (90.37%) and studying under Plan A, Type a (2), (82.22%). Most of the respondents knew before that when they graduated from this curriculum, they would be qualified to request for special money in education (R.S.M.) of 2,000 baht per month, (59.50%). Most of them considered that disabled students of various types could learn or develop (93.60%). 3) For competencies, most of them needed to have knowledge of instructional management for students with special needs in education, curriculum management of individualized education plans, innovation and technology of facilities in special education, measurement and evaluation in special education, research in special education, as well as law and rationale relating to special education. 4) Problems and obstacles in education included lack of money, traveling to study and lack of qualification based on criteria of selection.