European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 1, 31-43 (2008) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2008.007

ATTITUDES OF 5th AND 6th GRADE GREEK STUDENTS TOWARD THE INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES AFTER A PARALYMPIC EDUCATION PROGRAM

Anna K. Panagiotou, Christina Evaggelinou, Agapi Doulkeridou, Katerina Mouratidou, Eirini Koidou
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Adapted Physical Education Laboratory, Serres, Greece.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of the "Paralympic School Day" (PSD) program on the attitudes of 5th and 6th grade Greek students without disabilities and the effect of gender differences on the inclusion of children with disabilities in physical education classes. The 178 children were divided into two groups, (an experimental n = 86 and a control group n = 92). The experimental group received a day program, PSD, aimed at creating awareness and understanding of people with disabilities. All children answered twice the CAIPE-R, Children's Attitudes toward Integrated Physical Education - Revised Questionnaire (Block, 1995), modified. The questionnaire posited two attitude subscales: general and sport-specific. A 2X2 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine the differences in pre and post tests between the two groups and genders. Results indicated significant differences on the experimental group, only in general attitudes and not in the case of sport-specific related questions. In addition no gender differences were shown (p<.05).

Keywords: Disability, Physical Education, Paralympic Education, Program, Attitude, Inclusion

Published: July 31, 2008  Show citation

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Panagiotou, A.K., Evaggelinou, C., Doulkeridou, A., Mouratidou, K., & Koidou, E. (2008). ATTITUDES OF 5th AND 6th GRADE GREEK STUDENTS TOWARD THE INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES AFTER A PARALYMPIC EDUCATION PROGRAM. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 1(2), 31-43. doi: 10.5507/euj.2008.007
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