A Study on Ways of Opening NCS-Based Specialized Subjects in Special Schools for Students with Developmental Disabilities

This study explored ways of opening NCS-based specialized subjects in special schools for students with developmental disabilities through interviews with 12 experts. The results of the study were as follows: First, under the upper category of “curriculum development for human resource development pursued by specialized special schools,” the subcategories were organized as “determining the type of human resource development for specialized special schools through environmental analysis,” “need to cultivate T-Shaped talent rather than I-Shaped talent,” and “strength -oriented job matching based on the individual characteristics of students with developmental disabilities.” Second, regarding “competency-based NCS practical subject-based curriculum,” the subcategories were “the core of what to teach is NCS practical subjects,” “what one can do is important in NCS practical subjects,” and “differentiation of teaching methods according to major-specific characteristics.” Third, regarding “the composition of vocational education facilities similar to the workplace according to job characteristics,” the subcategories were “practical spaces centered on job performance similar to the workplace” and “appropriate practical equipment standardized by job type.” Fourth, the subcategory “Sufficient completion time required for job acquisition” is composed of “Appropriate allocation of practical and theoretical subjects to maintain interest in career paths,” and “Sufficient completion time required to acquire job skills.” In the discussion, the following issues were addressed: the necessity of establishing a studentcentered curriculum in specialized special schools, the need to ensure the professionalism of vocational education teachers in specialized special schools, the restructuring of school spaces to support NCS-based vocational education, and the flexible design of NCS-based vocational education curricula considering the severity of disabilities.