Peer Acceptance among Learning Disabilities (LD) and Mainstream Students in Inclusive Classroom in a Primary School

Authors

  • Armeetaa Kaur Mallanhanse School of Education and Modern Languages, College of Arts & Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Nur Fadzmin Alias School of Education and Modern Languages, College of Arts & Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Siti Salma Najwa Bt Ahmad Bidin School of Education and Modern Languages, College of Arts & Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia

Keywords:

Peer acceptance, learning disabilities, inclusive classroom

Abstract

The need to include students with learning disabilities (LD) together with mainstream students in general  education is vital in providing equal opportunity for all students regardless of their disabilities in obtaining  the same education. Therefore, the present study aims in investigating peer acceptance from the  perspectives of LD students and mainstream students, together with gender difference between these two  group of learners in an inclusive classroom in a primary school in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia. The  sample of this study consisted of 30 primary students involved in the inclusive programme within an age  range of 8-11 years old. Data were collected using Acceptance Scale for Kindergarten-Revised. The  findings revealed that there was no significant difference between LD and mainstream students on peer  acceptance. Meanwhile, the analysis on gender differences revealed that there was a significant difference  between male and female mainstream students on peer acceptance of their LD peers, in which male  students reported higher peer acceptance than female students. While no gender differences were found  among LD students on peer acceptance of their mainstream peers. The findings demonstrated that LD  students are accepted in an inclusive classroom, indicating that mainstream students are willing to learn  and experience education process together with LD students. 

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Published

2020-10-05

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2020): South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (Oct) 2020

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Mallanhanse, A.K., Alias, N.F., & Bidin, S.S.N.B.A. (2020). Peer Acceptance among Learning Disabilities (LD) and Mainstream Students in Inclusive Classroom in a Primary School. South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(2), 16–25. Retrieved from https://acspublisher.com/journals/index.php/sajssh/article/view/1146