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From the School Inspection Report to Inclusive Impacts: Challenges and Leadership Perspectives in Portugal (97841)
Session: On Demand
Room: Virtual Video Presentation
Presentation Type:Virtual Presentation
In Portugal, within the context of New Public Management, school autonomy has been reinforced, placing greater responsibility on school leadership to implement inclusive responses tailored to student diversity. Since 2018, the third cycle of the External School Evaluation Programme, conducted by the Inspectorate-General for Education and Science (IGEC), has prioritised equitable and inclusive practices, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. This study is part of a doctoral research project and aims to understand how the Headteacher and the Coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Team for Inclusive Education implement the principles of inclusive education within a school cluster in Portugal, in line with IGEC recommendations. A qualitative approach was adopted, combining document analysis (IGEC report and key strategic documents of the school cluster) with semi-structured interviews with the two leadership figures. Thematic analysis, supported by MaxQDA software, was organised into three interconnected dimensions: i) planning and internal policies; ii) pedagogical and support practices; iii) monitoring and continuous improvement. Findings reveal that, despite investment in innovative projects, the integration of IGEC recommendations into strategic planning is sporadic and lacks sustainability. Challenges such as insufficient staff and overcrowded classrooms, mainly due to a significant increase in foreign students, were identified. Although the IGEC's “critical lens” fosters self-reflection among leaders, mechanisms to ensure effective and sustained progress are lacking. The study recommends strengthening human resources and school infrastructure, as well as establishing regular follow-up committees to monitor the implementation of IGEC guidelines, to ensure the impact and sustainability of inclusive policies.
Authors:
Jennifer Silva, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Alexandre Ventura, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Diana Oliveira, University of Aveiro, Portugal
About the Presenter(s)
Ms Jennifer Silva is a University Doctoral Student at University of Aveiro in Portugal
Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-silva-3ab81248/
See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule
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