Effectiveness and challenges of inclusive education implementation in the District of San Francisco: Basis for reinforced program strategies

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of the implementation of inclusive education policies and the challenges encountered by school administrators and teachers in the District of San Francisco, Cebu for School Year 2025–2026. It examined key implementation areas such as identification and referral, assessment services, curriculum adaptation, individualized education planning, and program delivery, as well as challenges in resource allocation, teacher training, stakeholder collaboration, and policy monitoring and evaluation. A mixed-methods design was used, employing a survey questionnaire and qualitative responses analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis. Results showed that inclusive education implementation was generally rated as “Agree” to “Strongly Agree,” indicating moderate to high effectiveness. However, respondents reported persistent challenges, particularly in resources, training, and monitoring systems. A strong positive significant relationship was found between implementation effectiveness and challenges (ρ = 0.635, p < 0.00001). The study concludes that while inclusive education policies are being implemented, significant systemic challenges remain. An Enhanced Inclusive Education Implementation Plan is recommended to strengthen resources, improve training, enhance collaboration, and support effective policy implementation.