title: Attitudes of Primary School Teachers in Three Western Countries Toward Learning Disabilities.
abstract: In recent years, teachers in Western countries have developed beliefs and attitudes related to working with students with specific learning disabilities (LD) that may be critical in shaping their educational practices with them; however, their beliefs and attitudes differ across political and geographical contexts and may be influenced by specific contextual circumstances and national legislation. This study examines these issues by comparing beliefs and attitudes among 557 primary school teachers from specific areas of three countries (Italy, Spain, and the United States). Results from this study support the hypothesis that, in general, teachers in these areas are sufficiently well informed about students with LD and are in favor of policies supporting these students' needs. However, substantial differences emerge among countries about the etiology of LD; teachers' and specialists' roles in managing LD students; intervention planning, inclusion, and compensatory provisions; and the range of emotional attitudes that teachers exhibit. These differences have implications for intervention and suggest that efforts should be made to increase collaboration and promotion of common policies across countries.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cornoldi
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capodieci
authors.affiliation: 2 University Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colomer Diago
authors.affiliation: 3 University of Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: 4 University of Vermont, Burlington.
authors.forename: Katharine G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Shepherd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000208:ethnology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology*; D013030:Spain / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: cross-cultural perspective; learning disabilities; teachers’ attitudes