The Implementing of Zero Reject Policy in Malaysia : Teacher’s Ability in Identifying Student with SEN in Mainstream Classroom

Abstract

Early intervention will help special education need student to get early enforcement in learning. Therefore, this study aims is to identify teacher strategies and ability in identifying students with special needs. This mix method study involve 13 respondent in qualitative study while 230 respondent in quantitative study.  The sample is convenience sampling and the data analysis with SPSS and thematic analysis. The research found that 56.53 % respondent achieve mastery level while 43.47 % was below mastery level. The research found a few themes based on interview conducted namely identify student with SEN based on their early intervention, cognitive ability, diagnostic or screening test and physical appearance. Therefore, the qualitative   found that majority of respondents able to identify students with diagnostic or screening test, while some of them thru early intervention and cognitive ability. Based on the need analysis majority respondent mention that courses about introduction into special education was the courses that really needed to them, as there were mainstream teachers.