The Principal's Role in Implementing Inclusive Education through a Managerial Supervision Approach for Elementary School Teachers

Abstract

This study aimed to: (1) describe the implementation of the principal’s managerial supervision in implementing inclusive education for elementary school teachers; (2) improve teachers’ ability to implement inclusive education through the principal’s managerial supervision approach; and (3) determine the effectiveness of the principal’s managerial supervision in improving teachers’ ability to implement inclusive education at SD Negeri 008 Pujungan. This study was motivated by the limited understanding and competence of teachers in implementing inclusive education, particularly in developing adaptive lesson plans, applying differentiated instruction, managing inclusive classrooms, and conducting assessments based on students’ learning needs. This study employed a School Action Research (SAR) design conducted in two cycles, namely Cycle I and Cycle II. Each cycle consisted of four stages: planning, action, observation, and reflection. The participants were eight teachers at SD Negeri 008 Pujungan. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The research instruments included an observation checklist for the implementation of inclusive education, interview guidelines, and documentation. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentages and mean scores, while qualitative data were analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that the principal’s managerial supervision effectively improved teachers’ ability to implement inclusive education. The average score increased from 65.94 in the initial condition (Fair category) to 78.13 in Cycle I (Good category) and further increased to 87.81 in Cycle II (Very Good category). The interview findings also indicated that teachers had a better understanding of the concept of inclusive education, were able to develop adaptive lesson plans, implement differentiated instruction, manage inclusive classrooms, and conduct assessments according to students’ learning needs. Therefore, the principal’s managerial supervision proved to be effective in improving the implementation of inclusive education at SD Negeri 008 Pujungan.