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The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a frequently used screening instrument for behavioral problems in children and adolescents. There is an ongoing controversy-not only in educational research-regarding the factor structure of the SDQ. Research results speak for a 3-factor as well as a 5-factor structure. The narrowband scales (5-factor structure) can be combined into broadband scales (3-factor structure). The question remains: Which factors (narrowband vs. broadband) are better predictors? With the prediction of child and adolescent outcomes (academic grades, well-being, and self-belief), we evaluated whether the broadband scales of internalizing and externalizing behavior (3-factor structure) or narrowband scales of behavior (5-factor structure) are better suited for predictive purposes in a cross-sectional study setting. The sample includes students in grades 5 to 9 (N= 4642) from the representative German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS study). The results of model comparisons (broadband scale vs. narrowband scales) did not support the superiority of the broadband scales with regard to the prediction of child and adolescent outcomes. There is no benefit from subsuming narrowband scales (5-factor structure) into broadband scales (3-factor structure). The application of narrowband scales, providing a more differentiated picture of students' academic and social situation, was more appropriate for predictive purposes. For the purpose of identifying students at risk of struggling in educational contexts, using the set of narrowband dimensions of behavior seems to be more suitable.

Social participation of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is a central topic in the current inclusion debate. Numerous studies have shown that the risk of social exclusion is considerably higher for children with SEN compared to their peers without SEN, especially for pupils with behaviour problems (BP) or learning difficulties (LD). Since most of these studies are based on cross-sectional designs, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the direction of the effects. This leads to the question to what extent BP and LD have an impact on pupils' social position in the class and, vice versa, to what extent the social position has an effect on the development of BP and LD. To address these questions, we analysed sociometric data of 1244 primary school children. E A cross-lagged panel analysis was conducted. The results indicate that BP and LD in 1st grade lead to significantly less social acceptance by peers in 2nd grade but do not predict significantly higher social rejection. A directed influence of LD or BP on a higher social rejection cannot be found. Conversely, neither social acceptance nor social rejection at 1st grade has an influence on the development of BP or LD at grade two.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the perceived opportunities and threats of teachers working on a primary level in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, regarding inclusive schooling. Two open-ended questions using a standardized paper-pencil-questionnaire format were administered to 452 general and 130 special education teachers. Results of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses indicated that both teacher groups expressed strong concerns related to students' educational needs and learning opportunities. Nevertheless, their perceptions differ significantly in specific categories. General education teachers anticipate inclusive schooling to improve social school climate; however, they expressed several concerns: declining teaching quality, having insufficient professional skills themselves, higher work load, and lack of resources. Their special education colleagues expected improved learning opportunities would result for all students but were worried about changes in their professional role and the political realization of inclusive schooling. Implications for practice, limitations, and the need for future research are discussed.

The present study - involving teachers practicing inclusion at the primary level (N = 618) - examines the extent to which self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and also one's own teaching experience influences attitudes towards inclusion. The results corroborate the assumption that differences between the school faculties (N = 67) in regard to attitudes towards inclusion, to individual and collective efficacy as well as to actual experience in teaching children with special needs indeed do exist. A hierarchical linear model demonstrates, as we expected, that self-efficacy collective efficacy, and the experiences already acquired in teaching children with special needs significantly interact with attitudes towards inclusion.