Biography

Marija Kavkler is a leading expert in special education and inclusive education. She is currently an associate professor of special and rehabilitation education, working as an external associate at the Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. In 2015 she received the National Award for Lifetime Achievements in Higher Education. In 2019, she was appointed professor emeritus of the University of Ljubljana. Her field of research is related to inclusive education for children and adolescents with special needs, especially those with general and specific learning difficulties. She devoted most of her attention to the study of specific learning difficulties in mathematics. Her work has significantly contributed to the development of inclusive education policies and practices, particularly in the context of Central and Eastern Europe.
Her early research focused on identifying effective interventions for students with learning disabilities. Over time, her interests expanded to include broader issues of inclusive education, particularly how schools can support the diverse needs of all students. Kavkler’s work is characterized by its commitment to inclusion and its interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from psychology, education, and sociology.
In addition to her research, Kavkler has been actively involved in various national and international projects aimed at promoting inclusive education. She has served on several advisory boards and committees, contributing to the development of policies and practices that support inclusive education. 

Selected Publications:

   Kavkler, M., Tancig, S., Magajna, L., & Aubrey, C. (2000). Getting it right from the start? The influence of early school entry on later achievements in mathematics. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 8(1), 75-93.
   Magajna, L., Kavkler, M., & Ortar-Krizaj, M. (2003). Adults with self-reported learning disabilities in Slovenia: findings from the international adult literacy survey on the incidence and correlates of learning disabilities in Slovenia. Dyslexia (Chichester, England), 9(4), 229–251.
   Košak Babuder, M., & Kavkler, M. (2014). The latent structure of reading comprehension problems in pupils living in poverty. Hrvatska revija za rehabilitacijska istraživanja, 50(1), 1-12.
   Kavkler, M., Magajna, L., & Babuder, M. K. (2014). Key factors for successful solving of mathematical word problems in fifth-grade learners. Health Psychology Report, 2(1), 27-38.
   Kavkler, M., Košak Babuder, M., & Magajna, L. (2015). Inclusive education for children with specific learning difficulties: Analysis of opportunities and barriers in inclusive education in Slovenia. CEPS journal: Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 5(1), 31-52.           
   Javornik, K., Kavkler, M., Lychatz, S., Košak Babuder, M. (2022). How the covid-19 pandemic was experienced by Slovenian and German adolescents with specific learning difficulties. CEPS journal : Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal.   12 (3),  243-265.