이 연구는 특수학교 자유학기제 도입에 대한 특수교사의 인식, 기대효과 및 운영과제를 알아보는데 있었다. 연구대상은 부산광역시에 위치하고 있는 15개의 특수학교 중에서 장애유형을 고려하여 시각장애, 청각장애, 지적장애, 지체장애학교 각 1개교에서 중학교 수업을 지도하는 교사 150명을 편의목적표집을 하였다. 연구에서 얻은 결과는 다음과 같다 첫째, 특수학교 자유학기제에 대한 특수교사의 인식 결과는 다양하게 나타났다. 특수교사들은 전체적으로 자유학기제에 대해 잘 알고 있는 것으로 나타났으며, 자유학기제 연수 참여 경험이 있다고 응답한 특수교사들은 자유학기제의 연수의 내용이 도움이 되었는지에 대해 `보통이다`의 응답이 높게 나타났다. 특수학교에 바람직한 `자유학기 활동` 운영 모형과 `자유학기 활동` 연수는 진로탐색 활동, 주제선택 활동, 예술·체육 활동, 동아리 활동 순으로 나타났다. 특수학교 자유학기제 시행에 따른 특수교사의 가장 큰 역할에는 통합수업 운영을 통한 교과 간의 융합과 진로체험, 지역 인프라 탐색 및 적용이 가장 큰 역할이라고 인식하고 있었다. 둘째, 특수학교 자유학기제에 대한 특수교사의 기대효과는 학교생활의 만족도 증가와 긍정적인 학생의 정서 발달, 진로ㆍ직업교육 강화 등이었다. 셋째, 특수학교 자유학기제에 대한 특수교사의 운영과제는 담임업무 경감과 지역 인프라 확충, 특수학교에 표준화된 자유학기제 프로그램 개발 등이었다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate recognitions, expected effectiveness and operational issues of special teacher on execution of special school free semester. The subjects from 15 special schools located in Busan metropolitan city were sampled. The subjects were sampled four special schools for visual, auditory, intellectual and physical disabilities. The sampled were 150 middle school teachers. Recognitions, expected effectiveness and operational issues of special teacher on execution of special school free semester were analyzed. The results of this study are summarized as follows. First, recognitions of special teacher on execution of special school free semester are well acquainted. There were many special teachers who answered that they had not received the experience in the free semester training, but the special teachers who answered that they had participated in the free semester training program. The answer of `usually` was high whether it was helpful or not. And it were recognized that the preferred period of the free semester in the special schools was the ` grade 1 semester 2` as the most desirable. The `Free Semester Activities` model, which is desirable for special schools, appeared in the order of career exploration activity, topic selection activity, arts and sports activities, and club activities. The `free semester activity` training required on execution of special school free semester were appeared in the order of career exploration activity, topic selection, arts and sports activities, and club activities. Namely, special school teachers preferred career exploration activity as `free semester activity`. The most important role of special education teachers on execution of special school free semester was recognized as the most important role of integrated class operating and exploring the local infrastructure for career experience. Second, expected effectiveness on execution of special school free semester, the increase of satisfaction of school life was the most expected effect and followed by positive student emotional development, career and vocational education. Third, operational issues on execution of special school free semester, reduction of teachers business, expansion of local infrastructure, and development of standardized free semester for special schools were the biggest operational issues. Through this study, free semesters in the special school is successful operation and activity requires to need a variety of special teacher training program. Depending on the type of special school, it may suggest that the program requires the development of a free semester for student characteristics.