The Effects of a Service Learning Introductory Course in Diversity on Pre-Service Teachers Attitudes\u27 Toward Teaching Diverse Students

This study examined the impact of a service-based course in diversity on pre-service teachers attitudes toward the inclusion of diverse learners (ethnically, socioeconomically, and disabled) in the general classroom. One-hundred and ten students at a private liberal arts university in North Carolina completed the Pluralism and Diversity Attitude Assessment (PADAA) to measure pre-service teachers\u27 attitudes toward including cultural diverse students in the general education classroom, the Opinions Relative to Integration (ORI) instrument to measure pre-service teachers\u27 attitudes toward including disabled students in the general education classroom, and a short demographic survey Results indicate an introductory class has impact in improving a pre-service teachers\u27 attitude toward the inclusion of diverse learners, specifically students with disabilities, in the general education classroom. However, according to review of literature, this factor is not enough to improve the achievement levels of diverse learners whom are taught in the general classroom. Suggestion for change and further research are included