Developing special education programs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance to Vision 2030

Abstract

The current study aimed to develop special education programs in Saudi Arabia universities, including the development of programs, plans, majors, admission conditions, educational environment and equipment. The intent of this study aligns with Saudi Arabia's vision and objectives for the development of its education system. The study used the descriptive method and relied on a 53-item questionnaire. A total of 101 faculty members from special education departments participated in this study, and those represent 30% of the total study population of 331 faculty members. The most important of the results were that all the study's sections achieved a high mean: the first section at (3.44), the first subsection of section two at (4.505), the second subsection of section two at (4.534), and the third subsection (4.423).

The study found that there were statistically significant differences, from the view of the special education faculty members, about the reality of special education departments in Saudi Arabia, and there were not statistical differences depending on gender, major and experience.

The study suggested a developmental vision for planning and programming special education departments. It also suggests a vision for graduates of special education departments, and for the environment and equipment of special education departments, in line with Vision 2030