Many studies have highlighted the importance of community and cooperation in inclusive education. However, traditionally, teachers are trained to manage their classes alone. Along with the aspirations of inclusive education, there is high pressure to develop school cultures that are more communal and to reorient school personnel’s work, making it more collaborative, in order to meet the diverse needs of all students. In this research, we explored and compared the collaborative ways in which teachers supported their students in four schools in Austria, Finland, Lithuania, and Poland. As a conceptual framework, the research utilized theories of interprofessional teamwork. The researchers applied a theory-led thematic analysis to the research data. The main findings indicate that collaborative action needs to be an essential part of teachers’ work in an inclusive school. The schools and teachers implemented both proactive and reactive ways of constructing an inclusive pedagogy when they supported their students.

Legislation and policy within Croatia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Poland supports the educational inclusion of children with autism; however, such inclusion is nascent in these countries. A survey of experienced teachers working directly with children with autism in both inclusive and special schools was undertaken in winter 2018–19. Five hundred and sixty questionnaires were distributed and 340 returned (61% response); after cleansing, 242 responses were analysed. Over a quarter of respondents had received no instruction regarding autism during initial teacher education; almost half had undertaken no continuing professional development on the topic. Special school teachers reported higher overall confidence, but levels remained low within a number of key domains. Teachers identified a need for appropriate teacher education regarding theory, relevant practical strategies and mentorship/supervision. Implications regarding inclusive practice and teacher education in these countries are identified.

This chapter discusses the assumptions, implementation and deliverables of an action research project in a selected Polish class of integrated form. The main objective of the project was to trigger changes in the learning–teaching process based on the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach and thus promote inclusive education. The action research lasted one school semester. The empirical data, mainly qualitative, triangulating various sources of information and synthesising perspectives, were used to identify specific topics and threads identified in the gathered inputs, to present it in an orchestrated manner and to interpret it. It has been indicated that UDL approach implementation has a positive impact on the course of the teaching–learning process and optimises it to enhance the activity, commitment, self-reliance and responsibility of students and develops their cooperation, which breeds inclusion in education. Meanwhile, it stimulates teachers to change their mindset with a view to the essence of success in education and supports their daily practice.

Education researchers have long advocated modifications to the teaching–learning process in order to make the school a more inclusive space and conducive to individual and group development of students with diverse (including special) educational needs. This is to develop competences, skills and values that will allow students to better prepare for adult life in a rapidly changing world. This demand is not new and is not only a demand but refers to reforming the education process. In Poland, for many years the schools have been undergoing dynamic changes in many different dimensions, partly because of facilitating students with special needs. In the considerations of education researchers, as well as in the daily educational practice of teachers, the question arises as to what should be done to optimise the teaching–learning process and how. One possible idea for such optimisation is to implement the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach. The purpose of this chapter is to seek an answer to the question of to what extent the reality of the Polish schools corresponds to the principles of the UDL. An analysis of the traditional learning process through the UDL lens has identified those areas in which UDL approach solutions are provided and also where it is worthwhile to implement them.

Objectives of the research: The aim of this article is to present the action research method and the methodology for its implementation, using the example of a framework report of research conducted by the author. The research presented herein was designed to capture the changes in the teaching/learning process in a selected classroom following the implementation of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach. Research methods: The method used in the research was the action research method. A short description of the context of the issue: In a rapidly changing world, education researchers face the challenge of how to study and analyze the educational process, which is (and must remain) changeable in order to keep up with the changing reality. Action research is an interesting methodological proposal. Three cycles of research are presented; for each cycle, the planning process (including research questions), actions taken, data collection methods, and results were specified separately. Research findings: The analysis shows that the research and innovative activities resulted in the development of students’ skills in planning, organizing, and managing their learning, as well as the development of their independence, responsibility, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Their willingness to cooperate also increased. As a result, they became more active (self‑)learners. At the same time, the teachers shifted from their traditional, central role of teaching others to that of facilitators, creating learning conditions for a diverse group of students. Conclusions and recommendations: It was demonstrated that action research is a valuable way of bringing about reflective change in the teaching/learning process. Action research is worth promoting to teacher-practitioners, as it is an effective way to introduce bottom-up changes that optimize the educational process.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The research presented here was aimed at finding out Polish teachers’ perspectives on the Finnish education model, which is widely regarded as exemplary, and to assess the feasibility of applying its principles to the Polish education system, particularly in relation to inclusive education. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The study focused on three main questions: What factors characterizing the Finnish education system are relevant to the quality of inclusive education? Which of these factors are already present in the Polish education system? Which factors from the Finnish model should be implemented in the Polish education system? The study involved 258 Polish teachers and utilized a quantitative approach, employing a diagnostic survey method, a questionnaire technique, and a self-developed survey questionnaire. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The analysis focused on identifying the barriers to inclusive education based on recent research and the changes needed to improve the effective- ness of the Polish education system. This evaluation was grounded in a comparison with the key characteristics of the Finnish system and its relevant solutions. RESEARCH RESULTS: The results indicate that the key areas for improvement, according to the respondents, are the professional preparation of teachers, efforts to raise the prestige of the teaching profession, and improvements in working conditions, particularly those related to school climate. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND APPLICABLE VALUE OF RESEARCH: The Finnish education system is not only effective but also inclusive of all students. As such, its solutions can serve as a model for Polish teachers and policymakers as they work towards making the Polish education system more inclusive. Implementing the study’s findings may contribute to improving the Polish education system and fostering its inclusiveness.