The aim of this project has been to provide professional support to teachers and school counsellors so that we could build new strategies in our school that could enhance the success of students with and without learning difficulties and in that way, prevent the early drop out of students. We have wanted to make our employees: -aware of the principles of inclusive education and with new activities, develop our school into a comfortable and safe environment for everyone -become more proficient at making intervention plans and adjustments in working with students with special needs -understand the different needs of students with special needs and poor achievements and the connection between the school, the student and the family significant for the early recognition of students at risk of failure and dropout -skilled at implementing methods and technologies of modern teaching and learning, ICT and pedagogical concepts which correspond to the needs of the 21st century students and develop motivation, creativity and critical thinking -to enable the visibility of our school in the European surrounding, strengthen multicultural and linguistic competences of students and teachers and develop other international projects.
We have applied for this project since the number of students with the need for additional educational support, learning difficulties and disabilities or lack of motivation has increased. The number of students, who have failed in obtaining a good grade point average in accordance with their learning potential and therefore repeat the school year or drop out, has increased, as well. Self-evaluation has shown that it is of utmost importance to provide a more effective support for the students with and without learning difficulties, for the process of learning and the prevention of students’ drop outs. Also, with the assistance of ICT, we could modernize our teaching methods with the aim of motivating, encouraging initiative, creativity and cooperation of the students. The fact that our teachers and school counsellors have not dealt with inclusion during their academics, had led to the insecurity when it comes to lesson planning for the students with special needs. The teachers are in dire need of gaining new knowledge and skills, trainings and seminars, materials and learning from other people’s experiences and good practices from the long-lasting and successful European practice to provide adequate professional support.