Impact study on project implementation

"The integration of children with disabilities in mainstream schools"

The impact study was conducted in 20 pre-selected (target group) communities in 14 rayons where the MSIF Project activities were carried out, and in 20 other communities selected from the control communities as the control group.

 The control localities / educational institutions have been selected according to similarity of those in the basic group: similar size, similar type (gymnasium or high school). In three cases of localities from control group coincided with those basic ones. In case of these localities, other educational institutions with the same status as in the basic group have been selected for the control group. 

 The impact study provides comparative data for measuring the impact of activities implemented by the Moldova Social Investment Fund (MSIF) within "The Integration of Children with Disabilities in Mainstream Schools" Project with the intention to contribute to the improvement and modernization of training conditions for children with disabilities in general educational institutions in 20 pilot schools.

 The purpose of the study was to assess the adaptation level of educational institutions to the process of school inclusion of children with disabilities, the current situation of children with disabilities from selected rayons, and the attitude and involvement of the community in providing support for school-age children with disabilities compared to the situation that has been before the implementation of the MSIF Project activities.

 The research strategy included quantitative and qualitative research methods and techniques.

 The quantitative study has been focused on 5 categories of actors that are subject to the inclusive education process, namely:

 -          I level LPA (mayors): 20 mayors and social assistants from basic localities and 17 from localities of control group.

 -         II level LPA (head of education department): 15 heads of rayon departments

 -          Teachers in gymnasium and high school education (directors and teachers): 20 school directors and 20 teachers from basic localities and localities of the control group.

 -         Parents: those, who have children with disabilities (20 parents from both types of localities) and parents of children without disabilities (220 parents from basic localities and 20 from localities of the control group) of school age.

 -         Children: with disabilities and without disabilities of school age (60 children with and without disabilities from two types of localities)

The qualitative study included four focus groups: the discussion with parents, who have children without disabilities, the discussion with parents, who havechildren with disabilities, the discussion with teachers from beneficiary schools, and the discussion with teachers from schools of the control group.

In addition, the observation sheet was used to record external and internal infrastructure conditions of schools. 

At the same time, 20 case studies have been carried out with children with disabilities from the beneficiary localities / institutions - one case study per institution.

The report includes five main chapters: The Infrastructure of Communities and Educational Institutions; General situation of children with disabilities and special educational needs; Attitudes and practices on inclusive education; Perceptions of the activities implemented within the MSIF Project; Case studies.