In this essay, I discuss three key ideas related to the construction and treatment of "difference" in and around schools and schooling. First, just as difference is most commonly located within marginalized populations at the intersections and along the lines of race, disability, social class, national origin, sexuality, sex, language,…

This study began by dissecting what the research says regarding students with disabilities, inclusion and its current practices, the characteristics of those leaders that promote inclusive cultures, perceptions of inclusion of teachers and principals, and school culture. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the perceptions of inclusive…

Federal legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, mandates that individuals with disabilities be integrated in all aspects of life from education to employment to independent living. A recent development involves a settlement reached between the United States and the…

Today's students are digital natives. From computers to MP3 players, the everyday use of technology in society underscores the necessity of using technology in education. The use of digital simulations especially has had positive outcomes for students with disabilities in generalizing various life skills necessary for transition beyond high…

Finding a job, learning to live independently, and obtaining further education are important goals for all young adults as they leave high school. But achieving these goals is often extremely difficult for students who are deaf-blind. Limited or absent hearing and vision, difficulties with communication, and the frequent presence of additional…

This study used an ethnographic research methodology to identify effects of inclusion of students with severe disabilities on regular class teachers at the Harry L. Johnson Elementary School in Johnson City, New York. The school has been gradually integrating students with severe disabilities into regular classes since 1986. As of the 1991-92…

This study examined 95 secondary students' perceptions of teacher adaptations to meet the special learning needs of students in general education classrooms. All students felt they needed further assistance to learn from textbooks and would benefit from using learning strategies. Students also identified grouping preferences and types of…

This instrument was developed to assist individuals or teams to review best practice indicators regarding the development of inclusive school communities and to establish priority targets for improvement. The instrument covers three areas: (1) school community issues, (2) team issues, and (3) classroom issues. For each area, there is a review…

This report examines family and community experiences in transition from school to post-school life for students receiving special education services. It presents the vision of transition planning in Texas, the state of practice as reflected in a study of 27 students, and conclusions and recommendations. The transition planning vision calls for…

This paper discusses recent trends in provision of educational programs and services reflecting the Deaf community's recognition in Australia as a linguistic and cultural minority, focusing on the Bilingual/Bicultural program of the Thomas Pattison School in Sydney (Australia). The history of Deaf culture, language, and education in Australia and…

This monograph presents a collection of experiences and insights about building inclusive school communities in which all members, adults and children, learn and grow together. The monograph addresses the challenging and hopeful venture of welcoming all children into their neighborhood schools, regardless of their abilities and interests. The more…

This guide was developed to help people meet the challenge of developing early childhood programs that are inclusive of all children, regardless of disability. The manual was written in the spirit of a quilting book, in its recognition of the importance of the quiltmaker's (and the program developer's) own adaptations, creativity, and inspiration.…

Overviews background of the movement toward full inclusion of special education students into regular classrooms, including legal issues and successful educational practices. Suggests that full inclusion does not benefit all students and that inclusion should be one of several alternatives to meeting students' educational needs. Of approximately…

A survey of 312 teachers and families of students with severe disabilities in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Utah, and Virginia was designed to measure the extent of implementation of 12 educational "best practices" and the level of demonstration of 7 student outcome variables. The educational practices included: integration into school and…

This book provides a history and overview of transitional services and educational programs provided for high school students with disabilities and proposes a new model of comprehensive transition education and services. The book is organized in 12 chapters: (1) "Secondary Special Education in Perspective"; (2) "Transition Education and Services…