A Study about the Developing Process of Special Needs Education System at High School Level in the period of introduction : By Using Follow up Study Method in “P” Prefecture

The study was designed for describing the developing process of special needs education system at high school level in the period of adoption of the new special education system across the nation. We used questionnaire method for analyzing the present situation of grappling with special needs education at high schools. Questionnaires were delivered to all high schools in “P” prefecture. The subjects of this study were class room teachers, school nurses, special needs education coordinators, and head teachers of career guidance. The following three main results were obtained: ① Four subject groups were divided into two groups to understand developmental disabilities. ② The ratio of class room teachers who recognized that they had students with developmental disabilities in their classes was increasing, in spite of the low ratio of students who got special support in their class-room. ③ The ratio of principals who were members of the school committees of special needs education in each high school was significantly lower than other sorts of schools. At the end of the discussion, we pointed out the importance of the leadership of principals as school managers to promote developing the new special education system in each high school