The index for inclusion as a tool for educational improvement

Abstract

Education, quality, effectiveness and education improvement are worldwide well-discussed and well-researched subjects. The index for inclusion is an instrument used as a guide when supporting schools in the process of educative inclusion and, because of its characteristics, it could work as an enhancer of educational improvement. unesco proposes corresponding adaptations for each country, since the results obtained in the United Kingdom, and other European nations, has been very satisfactory. Following this guideline, this research aims at presenting the construct and content validity of the Index for Inclusion: improving learning and involvement at schools, in order to adapt it to Mexican schools. This is an exploratory prospective study that provides the very first validity evidence and that, based on a strategy of assessment carried out by professional qualified professionals, special education experts, aims at refining the measure instrument, with the intention of adapting it to the socio-cultural and educative Mexican situation. Finally, we can also consider that the study has an explicative dimension, since it tries to analyze the influence of certain variables, or to establish an association between these variables, on the profiles of the opinions of the experts. Despite the fact that results show an agreement in the opinions of those who have assessed the instrument in every aspect, we have identified disagreements in sections and indicators. For these, we provide adaptation alternatives.