Teachers' Instructional Adaptability and Their Capacity to Address Learning Needs in Inclusive Classrooms

Authors

  • Leah B. Pansaon Master Teacher I, Patag Elementary School, Naga District, Schools Division of City of Naga, Department of Education, Region VII – Central Visayas, Philippines Author
  • Cherille E. Generale Teacher I, Naga SPED Center, West Poblacion, City of Naga, Cebu, Schools Division of City of Naga, Department of Education, Region VII – Central Visayas, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65339/ijggsd.V1.I1.31

Keywords:

Descriptive-Correlational Research, Inclusive Classrooms, Instructional Adaptability, Learning Needs, Professional Development, Teacher Competencies

Abstract

This study aimed to determine teachers’ instructional adaptability and their capacity to address learning needs in inclusive classrooms, examine their relationship, and identify differences across demographic profiles. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 50 teachers from Naga Central Elementary School during the School Year 2026–2027, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using an adapted and contextualized survey questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and tests of significant differences. Results revealed high levels of instructional adaptability (M = 3.28, SD = 0.68) and capacity to address learning needs (M = 3.37, SD = 0.66). However, reflective teaching, differentiated instruction, instructional modifications, and identification of learners requiring additional support needed strengthening. No significant relationship was found between instructional adaptability and capacity to address learning needs (r = −0.109, p = 0.450). Instructional adaptability did not significantly differ across demographic profiles, whereas capacity to address learning needs differed significantly according to educational attainment (p = 0.032). The study concluded that teachers demonstrated strong inclusive teaching competencies, although specific practices required improvement. Implementing a school-based Action Plan emphasizing differentiated instruction, reflective practice, and learner support identification is recommended. The single-school setting, purposive sampling, and self-reported data limit the generalizability of findings. This study provides empirical evidence for targeted professional development and school-based interventions, supporting institutional decisions aimed at strengthening inclusive instructional practices and equitable learning opportunities.

References

Aas, H. K., Uthus, M., & Løhre, A. (2024). Inclusive education for students with challenging behaviour: Development of teachers’ beliefs and ideas for adaptations through lesson study. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 39(1), 64–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2023.2191107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2023.2191107

Carvajal, A. L. P., Fernandez, T. M., Pangilinan, A. M., Obod, M. M., Amihan, S. R., Sanchez, R. D., Sanchez, A. M. P., & Sanchez, J. J. D. (2025). Future-proofing teachers in reframing teacher education curriculum in the Philippines: Basis for policy recommendations. International Journal of Open-Access, Interdisciplinary & New Educational Discoveries of ETCOR Educational Research Center, 4(2), 235–252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.63498/nxz2st271

CAST. (2024). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 3.0. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Department of Education. (2017). National adoption and implementation of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2017). https://www.deped.gov.ph/2017/08/11/do-42-s-2017-national-adoption-and-implementation-of-the-philippine-professional-standards-for-teachers/

Department of Education. (2025). Interim guidelines for the Department of Education performance management and evaluation system for teachers in the school year 2024–2025 (DepEd Memorandum No. 017, s. 2025). https://www.deped.gov.ph/category/issuances/deped-memoranda/page/14/

Florian, L., & Spratt, J. (2013). Enacting inclusion: A framework for interrogating inclusive practice. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 28(2), 119–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2013.778111 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2013.778111

Gheyssens, E., Griful-Freixenet, J., & Struyven, K. (2023). Differentiated instruction as an approach to establish effective teaching in inclusive classrooms. In R. Maulana, M. Helms-Lorenz, & R. M. Klassen (Eds.), Effective teaching around the world: Theoretical, empirical, methodological and practical insights (pp. 677–689). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31678-4_30 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31678-4_30

Hasanah, R., Munawwaroh, I., Hasanah, M., & Mundiri, A. (2024). Fostering inclusivity: Strategies for supporting students with special needs in mainstream classrooms. FALASIFA: Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 15(1), 73–85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62097/falasifa.v15i1.1811

Hatano, G., & Inagaki, K. (1986). Two courses of expertise. In H. Stevenson, H. Azuma, & K. Hakuta (Eds.), Child development and education in Japan (pp. 262–272). W. H. Freeman.

Irshad, M. A., Amir, R. M., & Nabi, G. (2025). Towards inclusive learning: Identification of effective teaching adaptations used by teachers for inclusive teaching. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 14(1), 568–583. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2025.14.1.44

Jardinez, M. J., & Natividad, L. R. (2024). The advantages and challenges of inclusive education: Striving for equity in the classroom. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 12(2), 57–65. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v12i2.7182 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v12i2.7182

Kolajo, Y. (2025). Advancing pedagogical excellence through reflective teaching practice and adaptation. Reflective Practice, 26(6), 832–847. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2025.2504143 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2025.2504143

Kusmawan, A., Rahman, R., Anis, N., & Arifudin, O. (2025). The relationship between teacher involvement in curriculum development and student learning outcomes. International Journal of Educatio Elementaria and Psychologia, 2(1), 1–12.

Langelaan, B. N., Gaikhorst, L., Smets, W., & Oostdam, R. J. (2024). Differentiating instruction: Understanding the key elements for successful teacher preparation and development. Teaching and Teacher Education, 140, Article 104464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104464 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104464

Lapidot-Lefler, N. (2025). Teacher responsiveness in inclusive education: A participatory study of pedagogical practice, well-being, and sustainability. Sustainability, 17(7), Article 2919. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072919 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072919

Losberg, J., & Zwozdiak-Myers, P. (2024). Inclusive pedagogy through the lens of primary teachers and teaching assistants in England. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 28(4), 402–422. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1946722 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1946722

Mahmood, A., Huang, X., & Rehman, N. (2025). The role of teachers and administrators in supporting the adaptation of students with special needs in mainstream high schools. Quality Education for All, 2(1), 35–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/QEA-06-2024-0054

Memon, F. N., & Memon, S. N. (2025). Digital divide and equity in education: Bridging gaps to ensure inclusive learning. In Impact of digitalization on education and social sustainability (pp. 107–130). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1854-6.ch004

Natasya, A., & Kembaren, F. R. W. (2025). Teachers’ challenges and strategies in adapting English materials for multicultural students. Celtic: A Journal of Culture, English Language Teaching, Literature and Linguistics, 12(1), 308–322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22219/celtic.v12i1.40701

Pivarč, J. (2026). The Czech version of the Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practice (TEIP) scale: Validation and psychometric analysis of the instrument with primary school teachers. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 30(1), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2024.2371873 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2024.2371873

Prediger, S., & Buró, R. (2024). Fifty ways to work with students’ diverse abilities? A video study on inclusive teaching practices in secondary mathematics classrooms. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 28(2), 124–143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1925361

Rakaa, O. B., Bassiri, M., & Lotfi, S. (2025). Adapted pedagogical strategies in inclusive physical education for students with special educational needs: A systematic review. Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 29(2), 67–85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2025.0201

Ramya, M. (2025). Teacher adaptability and classroom innovation in supporting children with multiple disabilities. Emerging Trends in Multidisciplinary Research, 83.

Republic Act No. 11650. (2022). An act instituting a policy of inclusion and services for learners with disabilities in support of inclusive education, establishing inclusive learning resource centers of learners with disabilities in all school districts, municipalities and cities, providing for standards, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2022/ra_11650_2022.html

Sahli Lozano, C., Wüthrich, S., Baumli, N., Sharma, U., Loreman, T., & Forlin, C. (2023). Development and validation of a short form of the Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices Scale (TEIP-SF). Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 23(4), 375–388. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-3802.12607 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-3802.12607

Sharma, S. (2024). Enhancing inclusive learning environments: Strategies for curriculum adaptation and modification. In Future of special education in India (pp. 109–121).

Siswandari, V. E., Suharini, E., Mulyono, S. E., & Prihatin, T. (2025). Evaluating the influence of inclusive teachers’ pedagogical competence within adaptive educational frameworks. Educational Process: International Journal, 18, Article e2025441. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.18.441

UNESCO, & International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030. (2024). Global report on teachers: Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-report-teachers-addressing-teacher-shortages-and-transforming-profession

Wang, D., Huang, L., Huang, X., Deng, M., & Zhang, W. (2024). Enhancing inclusive teaching in China: Examining the effects of principal transformational leadership, teachers’ inclusive role identity, and efficacy. Behavioral Sciences, 14(3), Article 175. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030175

Yang, C. (2025). Adapting teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles in education. Journal of Higher Education Research, 5(6), 535–540. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32629/jher.v5i6.3382

Yıldırım, A. E. S., Veiga, S., Kumaş, Ö. A., & Akkaya, S. (2026). Teacher-driven adaptations in inclusive classrooms: Addressing the needs of students with learning disabilities. Erzincan Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17556/erziefd.1804798

Downloads

Published

2026-11-05

How to Cite

Pansaon, L. B., & Generale, C. E. (2026). Teachers’ Instructional Adaptability and Their Capacity to Address Learning Needs in Inclusive Classrooms. International Journal of Global Goals and Sustainable Development, 1(1), 327-338. https://doi.org/10.65339/ijggsd.V1.I1.31