Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms

Educational Point, 3(1), 2026, e146, https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800
Publication date: Jan 26, 2026

ABSTRACT

This study profiles the knowledge and utilisation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) among basic school teachers in the Effutu Municipality, with a particular focus on their application in inclusive classrooms. A total of 480 teachers participated, responding to a carefully developed questionnaire that assessed both their understanding and instructional use of EBPs. The results indicated that, on average, teachers possessed a high level of knowledge of EBPs, with mean scores for all EBPs exceeding the criterion mean of 2.50. Furthermore, a relatively even distribution was observed between teachers reporting low (50.2%) and high (49.8%) usage of EBPs in their instructional methods. The independent sample t-test results revealed no statistically significant difference between male and female teachers’ knowledge of EBPs and their reported use of EBPs. The findings suggest that basic school teachers use EBPs in inclusive classrooms. However, the distribution of usage levels highlights the need for tailored professional development programmes, peer collaboration, monitoring mechanisms, and resource allocation to enhance the quality and consistency of inclusive education practices.

KEYWORDS

disability inclusive development inclusive classrooms evidence-based practices knowledge use Ghana

CITATION (APA)

Mahama, I., Edjah, J. O., Dampson, G. D., Kwartemaa, E., & Ibrahim, R. (2026). Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms. Educational Point, 3(1), e146. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800
Harvard
Mahama, I., Edjah, J. O., Dampson, G. D., Kwartemaa, E., and Ibrahim, R. (2026). Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms. Educational Point, 3(1), e146. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800
Vancouver
Mahama I, Edjah JO, Dampson GD, Kwartemaa E, Ibrahim R. Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms. Educational Point. 2026;3(1):e146. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800
AMA
Mahama I, Edjah JO, Dampson GD, Kwartemaa E, Ibrahim R. Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms. Educational Point. 2026;3(1), e146. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800
Chicago
Mahama, Inuusah, Jane Odurowaa Edjah, George Dandy Dampson, Elizabeth Kwartemaa, and Ramuzia Ibrahim. "Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms". Educational Point 2026 3 no. 1 (2026): e146. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800
MLA
Mahama, Inuusah et al. "Profiling Teachers’ Knowledge and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Ghanaian Inclusive Classrooms". Educational Point, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026, e146. https://doi.org/10.71176/edup/17800

REFERENCES

  1. Ahmad, H., & Halim, H. (2017). Determining sample size for research activities. Selangor Business Review, 2(1), 20-34. https://sbr.journals.unisel.edu.my/index.php/sbr/article/view/12
  2. Alatifi, N. M., Gray, K. M., & Hastings, R. P. (2023). Knowledge and reported use of evidence-based practices by early intervention professionals working with autistic children in Saudi Arabia. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 105, Article 102182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102182
  3. Alhossein, A. (2021). Teachers’ knowledge and use of evidenced-based practices for students with autism spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 741409. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.741409
  4. Almutairi, N. R. (2022). Investigating the extent of training needs of teachers of students with learning disabilities: A survey of teachers’ perspectives. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(7), 241-268. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.7.13
  5. Alshehri, M. (2022). Higher education Saudi faculty perspectives on the instruction and inclusion of students with ASD and ID. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Illinois at Chicago].
  6. Ametepee, L. K., & Anastasiou, D. (2015). Special and inclusive education in Ghana: Status and progress, challenges and implications. International Journal of Educational Development, 41, 143-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2015.02.007
  7. Ananga, E. D. (2021) Gender responsive pedagogy for teaching and learning: The practice in Ghana’s initial teacher education programme. Creative Education, 12(4), 848-864. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2021.124061
  8. Antwi, F. B., & Palaganas, E. C. (2023). Evidence-based practice competency, EBP beliefs and research utilization among Ghanaian nurses: A mediation analysis. Philippine Journal of Nursing, 93(1), 36-43. https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A9%3A15022585/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A169982757&crl=c&link_origin=scholar.google.com
  9. Atakro, C. A., Atakro, A., Akuoko, C. P., Aboagye, J. S., Blay, A. A., Addo, S. B., ... & Sarpong, Y. G. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceived barriers of evidence-based practice among registered nurses in a Ghanaian teaching hospital. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 12, Article 100204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2020.100204
  10. Barry, L., Holloway, J., Gallagher, S., & McMahon, J. (2022). Teacher characteristics, knowledge and use of evidence-based practices in autism education in Ireland. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52, 3536–3546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05223-1
  11. Basckin, C., Strnadova, I., & Cumming, T. M. (2021). Teacher beliefs about evidence-based practice: A systematic review. International Journal of Educational Research, 106, Article 101727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101727
  12. Binkley, M., Erstad, O., Herman, J., Raizen, S., Ripley, M., Miller-Ricci, M., & Rumble, M. (2012). Defining twenty-first century skills. In: Griffin, P., McGaw, B., Care, E. (Eds.), Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills (pp. 17-66), Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2324-5_2
  13. Care, E., Kim, H., Vista, A., & Anderson, K. (2018). Education system alignment for 21st century skills: Focus on assessment. Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution, 1-47. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED592779
  14. Combs, K. M., Buckley, P. R., Lain, M. A., Drewelow, K. M., Urano, G., & Kerns, S. E. (2022). Influence of classroom-level factors on implementation fidelity during scale-up of evidence-based interventions. Prevention Science, 23(6), 969-981. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01375-3
  15. Cook, B. G., Tankersley, M., & Landrum, T. J. (2009). Determining evidence-based practices in special education. Exceptional Children, 75(3), 365-383. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290907500306
  16. Culyer, L. M., Jatulis, L. L., Cannistraci, P., & Brownell, C. A. (2018). Evidenced-based teaching strategies that facilitate transfer of knowledge between theory and practice: what are nursing faculty using? Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 13(3), 174-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2018.03.003
  17. Deku, P., & Vanderpuye, I. (2017). Perspectives of teachers regarding inclusive education in Ghana. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 13(3), 39-54. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1153995
  18. Gaffney, H., Ttofi, M. M., & Farrington, D. P. (2021). Effectiveness of school‐based programs to reduce bullying perpetration and victimization: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 17(2), Article e1143. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1143
  19. Gomda, A., Sulemana, N., & Zakaria, H. (2022). Access to education for persons with disabilities in Ghana: A Review. Environmental Sciences Proceedings, 15(1), Article 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/environsciproc2022015050
  20. Gooden, C., & Rous, B. (2018). Effective transitions to kindergarten for children with disabilities. In: Mashburn, A., LoCasale-Crouch, J., Pears, K. (Eds.), Kindergarten transition and readiness: Promoting cognitive, social-emotional, and self-regulatory development (pp. 141-162), Springer. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90200-5_6
  21. Government of Ghana. (2008). Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) (as amended by Act 759). Accra, Ghana: Author. https://ir.parliament.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/1771/CHIEFTAINCY%20ACT,%202008%20(ACT%20759).pdf
  22. Hatem, G., Zeidan, J., Goossens, M., & Moreira, C. (2022). Normality testing methods and the importance of skewness and kurtosis in statistical analysis. BAU Journal-Science and Technology, 3(2), 7. https://doi.org/10.54729/KTPE9512
  23. Kallam, B., Pettitt-Schieber, C., Owen, M., Asante, R. A., Darko, E., & Ramaswamy, R. (2018). Implementation science in low-resource settings: Using the interactive systems framework to improve hand hygiene in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 30(9), 724-730. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzy111
  24. Kaseka, P. U., & Mbakaya, B. C. (2022). Knowledge, attitude and use of evidence based practice (EBP) among registered nurse-midwives practicing in central hospitals in Malawi: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Nursing, 21, Article 144, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00916-z
  25. Khodari, A. (2019). Teachers’ knowledge on evidence-based practices for students with autism spectrum disorders in Saudi Arabia (Doctoral dissertation). University of Massachusetts Amherst. https://doi.org/10.7275/15005535.0
  26. Knochel, A. E., Blair, K. S. C., & Sofarelli, R. (2021). Culturally focused classroom staff training to increase praise for students with autism spectrum disorder in Ghana. Journal of Positive Behaviour Interventions, 23(2), 106-117. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098300720929351
  27. Lacoe, J., & Steinberg, M. P. (2018). Rolling back zero tolerance: The effect of discipline policy reform on suspension usage and student outcomes. Peabody Journal of Education, 93(2), 207-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/0161956X.2018.1435047
  28. Merle, J. L., Larson, M. F., Cook, C. R., Brewer, S. K., Hamlin, C., Duong, M., ... & Lyon, A. R. (2022). A mixed‐method study examining solutions to common barriers to teachers' adoption of evidence‐based classroom practices. Psychology in the Schools, 59(9), 1825-1843. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22732
  29. Miralles-Cardona, C. (2025). Teaching gender equality in teacher education: Does existing practice actually support gender mainstreaming implementation? Frontiers in Education, 10, Article 1570115. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1570115
  30. Mursi, N. B., & Sulaimani, M. F. (2022). Influence of context related factors on Saudi special education teachers’understanding of evidence, evidence-based, and evidence-based practices. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 80(4), 588-601. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1061470
  31. Naami, A., & Mort, K. S. T. (2023). Inclusive education in Ghana: How prepared are the teachers?. Frontiers in Education, 8, Article 1056630. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1056630
  32. Naami, A., Mills, A. A., & Abbey, E. (2023). Financial capability and asset building (FCAB) for persons with disabilities in Ghana: The role of social workers. Global Social Welfare, 10(1), 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-022-00250-x
  33. Navaitienė, J., & Stasiūnaitienė, E. (2021). The goal of the universal design for learning: development of all to expert learners. In In: A. Galkienė, & O. Monkevičienė (Eds,). Improving inclusive education through universal design for learning (pp. 23-57). Cham: Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80658-3_2
  34. Nketsia, W., Saloviita, T., & Gyimah, E. K. (2016). Teacher educators’ views on inclusive education and teacher preparation in Ghana. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 12(2), 1-18. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/10132
  35. Opoku, M. P., Badu, E., Amponteng, M., & Agyei-Okyere, E. (2015). Inclusive education at the crossroads in Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions in Ghana: Target not achievable by 2015. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 26(1), 63-78. https://hdl.handle.net/102.100.100/567707
  36. Paynter, J. M., & Keen, D. (2015). Knowledge and use of intervention practices by community-based early intervention service providers. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(6), 1614-1623. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1007/s10803-014-2316-2
  37. Paynter, J. M., Ferguson, S., Fordyce, K., Joosten, A., Paku, S., Stephens, M., ... & Keen, D. (2017). Utilisation of evidence-based practices by ASD early intervention service providers. Autism, 21(2), 167-180. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1177/1362361316633032
  38. Rarieya, J., Wango, N., Oluga, M., & Abunga, O. (2024). Accelerating primary education tutors’ acquisition of gender-responsive pedagogies. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 5(4), 47. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2024.5.4.849
  39. Rogers-Shaw, C., Carr-Chellman, D. J., & Choi, J. (2018). Universal design for learning: Guidelines for accessible online instruction. Adult Learning, 29(1), 20-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045159517735530
  40. Salend, S., & Whittaker, C. (2018, January 24). A Collaborative process for incorporating universal design for learning and evidence-based practice into inclusive teacher education programs. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Retrieved 26 Jan. 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.152
  41. Santiago-Rosario, M. R., Austin, S. C., Izzard, S., Strickland-Cohen, M. K., Gallo, J. C., Newson, A., & McIntosh, K. (2024). Zero tolerance: Effects, bias, and more effective strategies for Improving school safety. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 68(4), 290-299. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2023.2236054
  42. Shutaleva, A., Martyushev, N., Nikonova, Z., Savchenko, I., Kukartsev, V., Tynchenko, V., & Tynchenko, Y. (2023). Sustainability of inclusive education in schools and higher education: Teachers and students with special educational needs. Sustainability, 15(4), Article 3011. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043011
  43. Stahmer, A. C., Suhrheinrich, J., Roesch, S., Zeedyk, S. M., Wang, T., Chan, N., & Lee, H. S. (2019). Examining relationships between child skills and potential key components of an evidence-based practice in ASD. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 90, 101-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2019.04.003
  44. Steinbrenner, J. R., Hume, K., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B., ... & Savage, M. N. (2020). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism. Child Development Institute. Retrieved September 04, 2023, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED609029.pdf
  45. Wango, N. C., Rarieya, J. F., Abunga, O. M., Oluga, M., & Datoo, A. (2024). The realities of tutor pedagogical practices and adaptation of gender pedagogy: A comparison of implementation in selected teacher colleges in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Educational Research and Reviews, 19(4), 60-78. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1425587
  46. Watkins, K. E., Levack, W. M., Rathore, F. A., & C. Hay-Smith, E. J. (2024). Challenges in applying evidence-based practice in stroke rehabilitation: A qualitative description of health professional experience in low, middle, and high-income countries. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(16), 3577-3585. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2251396
  47. Wong, C., Odom, S. L., Hume, K. A., Cox, A. W., Fettig, A., Kucharczyk, S., ... & Schultz, T. R. (2015). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism spectrum disorder: A comprehensive review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 1951-1966. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2351-z
  48. Yiridomoh, G. Y., Dayour, F., & Bonye, S. Z. (2020). Evidence-based practice and rural health service delivery: knowledge and barriers to adoption among clinical nurses in Ghana. Rural Society, 29(2), 134-149. https://doi.org/10.1080/10371656.2020.1795350
  49. Yu, H. P., & Jen, E. (2020). Integrating nanotechnology in the science curriculum for elementary high-ability students in Taiwan: Evidenced-based lessons. Roeper Review, 42(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2019.1690078
  50. Zamora, J. T., & Zamora, J. J. M. (2022). 21st century teaching skills and teaching standards competence level of teacher. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(5), 220-238. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.5.12

LICENSE

Creative Commons License
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.