Research ArticleOpen AccessGoogle Scholar indexed
Special Education in Saudi Arabia: History and Areas for Reform
Department of Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA
- 1 Department of Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA
Creative Education·Volume 06 (2015)·Pages 1158–1167·Published 26 June 2015·DOI10.4236/ce.2015.611114
Copy link · social · email
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine and conduct a historical overview of special education in Saudi Arabia. Special education has existed in Saudi Arabia since 1958 and has made considerable progress in providing services to students with disabilities. However, there is still a need for improvement in educating students with disabilities and in the movement toward inclusive education. Providing free and appropriate public education for such students should be the purpose guiding special education in the country. This paper discusses the areas that need to be improved in order to ensure that students receive the best possible education within inclusive learning environments.
KeywordsSpecial EducationStudents with DisabilitiesSpecial Day SchoolSpecial Education LawTransition ServicesTeacher EducationInclusive Education
- Afeafe, M. (2000). Special Education in Saudi Arabia. http://www.khayma.com/education-technology/PrvEducation3.htm
- Al-Ajmi, N. (2006). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Administrators’ and Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions regarding the Use of Functional Behavior Assessments for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Madison: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Al-Kheraigi, F. S. (1989). Special Education Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1958 to 1987. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Syracuse: Syracuse University.
- Al-Mousa, N. (1999). Development Process of Special Education in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh: Directorate General of Special Education in Saudi Arabia.
- Al-Mousa, N. (2010). The Experience of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Mainstreaming Students with Special Educational Needs in Public Schools. Riyadh: The Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001916/191663e.pdf
- Al-Otaibi, B., & Al-Sartawi, Z. A. (2009). Related Services That Are Needed for the Students with Multiple Disabilities and Their Families in Saudi Arabia. http://www.dr-banderalotaibi.com/new/1.pdf
- Alquraini, T. (2010). Special Education in Saudi Arabia: Challenges, Perspectives, Future Possibilities. International Journal of Special Education, 25, 139-147.
- Alquraini, T. A. (2011). Teachers’ Perspectives of Inclusion of the Students with Severe Disabilities in Elementary Schools in Saudi Arabia. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Athens: Ohio University.
- Alquraini, T., & Dianne Gut, D. (2012). Critical Components of Successful Inclusion of Students with Severe Disabilities: Literature Review. International Journal of Special Education, 27, 42-59.
- Al-Wabli, A. (1996). Related Services That Are Provided for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Special Education Institutes in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Education, 20, 191-123.
- Burnette, B. (2002). How We Formed Our Community. National Staff Development Council, 23, 51-54.
- Cushing, L. S., Clark, N. M., Carter, E. W., & Kennedy, C. H. (2005). Access to the General Education Curriculum for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 38, 6-13.
- Forlina, C., & Chambers, D. (2011). Teacher Preparation for Inclusive Education: Increasing Knowledge but Raising Concerns. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 39, 17-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2010.540850