Special Education in Saudi Arabia: History and Areas for Reform

Rashed A. Aldabas

Department of Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2015.611114                

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine and conduct a historical overview of special education in Saudi Arabia. Special education has existed in Saudi Arabia since 1958 and has made considerable progress in providing services to students with disabilities. However, there is still a need for improvement in educating students with disabilities and in the movement toward inclusive education. Providing free and appropriate public education for such students should be the purpose guiding special education in the country. This paper discusses the areas that need to be improved in order to ensure that students receive the best possible education within inclusive learning environments.

Keywords

Special Education, Students with Disabilities, Special Day School, Special Education Law, Transition Services, Teacher Education, Inclusive Education

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Afeafe, M. (2000). Special Education in Saudi Arabia. http://www.khayma.com/education-technology/PrvEducation3.htm
[2]	Al-Ajmi, N. (2006). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Administrators’ and Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions regarding the Use of Functional Behavior Assessments for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Madison: University of Wisconsin-Madison.
[3]	Al-Kheraigi, F. S. (1989). Special Education Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1958 to 1987. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Syracuse: Syracuse University.
[4]	Al-Mousa, N. (1999). Development Process of Special Education in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh: Directorate General of Special Education in Saudi Arabia.
[5]	Al-Mousa, N. (2010). The Experience of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Mainstreaming Students with Special Educational Needs in Public Schools. Riyadh: The Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001916/191663e.pdf
[6]	Al-Otaibi, B., & Al-Sartawi, Z. A. (2009). Related Services That Are Needed for the Students with Multiple Disabilities and Their Families in Saudi Arabia. http://www.dr-banderalotaibi.com/new/1.pdf
[7]	Alquraini, T. (2010). Special Education in Saudi Arabia: Challenges, Perspectives, Future Possibilities. International Journal of Special Education, 25, 139-147.
[8]	Alquraini, T. A. (2011). Teachers’ Perspectives of Inclusion of the Students with Severe Disabilities in Elementary Schools in Saudi Arabia. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Athens: Ohio University.
[9]	Alquraini, T., & Dianne Gut, D. (2012). Critical Components of Successful Inclusion of Students with Severe Disabilities: Literature Review. International Journal of Special Education, 27, 42-59.
[10]	Al-Wabli, A. (1996). Related Services That Are Provided for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Special Education Institutes in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Education, 20, 191-123.
[11]	Burnette, B. (2002). How We Formed Our Community. National Staff Development Council, 23, 51-54.
[12]	Cushing, L. S., Clark, N. M., Carter, E. W., & Kennedy, C. H. (2005). Access to the General Education Curriculum for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 38, 6-13.
[13]	Forlina, C., & Chambers, D. (2011). Teacher Preparation for Inclusive Education: Increasing Knowledge but Raising Concerns. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 39, 17-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2010.540850
[14]	IDEA Partnership (2007). Response to Intervention: Policy Considerations and Implementation. www.ideapartnership.org/documents/RTI-intermediate-ppt-7-30-07.ppt
[15]	Johnson, D. R., & Merrill, P. (2000). Issues Influencing the Future of Transition Programs and Services in the United States: A Collection of Articles by Leading Researchers in Secondary Special Education and Transition Services for Students with Disabilities. http://www.ncset.org/publications/related/NTN_Transition_Issues.pdf
[16]	Loiacono, V., &Valenti, V. (2010). General Education Teachers Need to be Prepared to Co-Teach the Increasing Number of Children with Autism in Inclusive Settings. International Journal of Special Education, 25, 24-32.
[17]	Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia (2002). Rules and Regulations of Special Education. https://www.moe.gov.sa/Arabic/PublicAgenciesAndDepartments/ BoysEducationAgency/SpecialEducation/DocumentsLibraries/RulesAndRegulations/se_rules.zip
[18]	Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia (2012). Statistical Manual of Institutes and Special Education Programs for the Academic Year 2012/2013.
[19]	Proctor, R., & Niemeyer, J. A. (2001). Preservice Teacher Beliefs about Inclusion: Implications for Early Intervention Educators. Journal of Early Intervention, 24, 55-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/105381510102400108
[20]	Resch, J. A., Mireles, G., Benz, M. R., Grenwelge, C., Peterson, R., & Zhang, D. (2010). Giving Parents a Voice: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges Experienced by Parents of Children with Disabilities. Rehabilitation Psychology, 5, 139-150. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0019473
[21]	Russell, M., Bebell, D., O'Dwyer, L., & O’Connor, K. (2003). Examining Teacher Technology Use: Implications for Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher Preparation. Journal of Teacher Education, 54, 297-310. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022487103255985
[22]	Smith, A. (2006). Access, Participation, and Progress in the General Education Curriculum in the Least Restrictive Environment for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities. Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 31, 331-337.
[23]	Will, M. C. (1986). Educating Children with Learning Problems: A Shared Responsibility. Exceptional Children, 52, 411-415.
[24]	Wong, E. M. L., Li, S. S. C., Choi, T. H., & Lee, T. N. (2008). Insights into Innovative Classroom Practices with ICT: Identifying the Impetus for Change. Educational Technology & Society, 11, 248-265.
[25]	Worcester, J. A., Nesman, T. M., Raffaele Mendez, L., M., & Keller, H. R. (2008). Giving Voice to Parents of Young Children with Challenging Behavior. Exceptional Children, 74, 509-525.