Social Dynamics Management in Inclusive Secondary Classrooms: A Qualitative Study on Teachers’ Practices to Promote the Participation of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Stefanie Köb (), Frauke Janz and Paula-Marie Mühlstädt
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Stefanie Köb: Department of Special Education, Faculty of Educational and Social Sciences, University of Education Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Frauke Janz: Department of Special Education, Faculty of Educational and Social Sciences, University of Education Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Paula-Marie Mühlstädt: Department of Special Education, Faculty of Educational and Social Sciences, University of Education Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Inclusive education aims to ensure not only academic development but also social participation among students with intellectual disabilities. However, research consistently shows that students with intellectual disabilities are prone to social exclusion in secondary school settings. While theoretical frameworks increasingly highlight the importance of contextual and systemic factors—particularly classroom social dynamics—empirical studies on teachers’ practices for fostering participation remain scarce. This qualitative study investigates how secondary school teachers in inclusive classrooms perceive and enact their role in promoting social participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 teachers from various German secondary schools. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis based on the social dynamics management (SDM) framework, which distinguishes between universal, selected, and indicated intervention levels. The results reveal that teachers use a wide range of strategies across all three levels. In addition to the categories proposed by the SDM framework, two further areas were identified inductively: (1) teachers’ pedagogical beliefs and (2) internal and external cooperation. These findings suggest a need to expand the SDM model and provide guidance for the professional development of teachers aiming to promote inclusive classroom environments.

Keywords: inclusive education; social participation; intellectual disabilities; classroom social dynamics management; teachers’ practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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