Inclusion and School Reform: Transforming America's Classrooms.

Overview & Synopsis

This book examines the history of education of students with disabilities and the impact of educational reform. Section 1, "The Separate Special Education System," examines the current system; the limited outcomes for students; racial, social, and gender inequities; costs of special education; parental advocacy; the disability rights movement; and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Section 2, "Inclusive Education," addresses the historical background of inclusive education; court decisions regarding inclusion; a national overview of inclusive education; program implementation; classroom supports and instructional strategies; organizational attitudes toward inclusive education; evaluation of inclusive education; and critics' concerns and advocates' responses regarding inclusive education. Section 3, "School Restructuring," discusses the need for school restructuring, the limits of current restructuring efforts in terms of their inclusion of student with disabilities, and describes restructuring efforts that include all students. Section 4, "The Reform of Education and the Remaking of American Society," relates emerging changes in U.S. society with those necessary for the inclusive education of all students. In the final section, different authors amplify key issues presented in the volume's earlier sections, including fiscal issues relating to inclusion, inclusion court cases, technology and inclusion, and including inclusion in school reform. (Each chapter contains references.) (CR)