Remedial education and its effect on school attainment : a case study

Abstract

The aim of this research is to document the effect of Remedial Education provision on school achievement. The study was carried out in a State Primary School where observations of seven year old children receiving the Learning Support Service in Year 3 were done. Interviews with the children themselves, their parents, the Headmistress, the Year 3 class teachers and the Support Teacher were also conducted. The dissertation commences with the origins of Remedial Education and its development in Malta. Chapter 2, then gives a detailed account of how the qualitative research study was carried out. Chapter 3 presents profiles of five children with learning difficulties. Chapter 4 introduces their class teachers, their Support Teacher and the Headmistress, who besides giving their views on the Learning Support Service also provides a background of the school environment. In Chapter 5, the parents, besides giving their point of view on the provision also provide an insight into the home background. The last chapter summarises the findings and offers suggestions about important aspects which emerge.