This book promotes a positive message for people with Down syndrome across the world. Living with Down Syndrome is a positive experience for the majority of children and adults with Down syndrome, and for their families. Of course there are difficulties to be faced, but quality of life, from infancy to old age, is determined more by the quality of healthcare, education and social inclusion offered to individuals, than by the developmental difficulties that are associated with Down syndrome.

The aim of this book is to bring the latest information on research and good practice to families, practitioners and policy makers in order improve the services available to individuals with Down syndrome in all countries.

"La Clase Magica: Imagining Optimal Possibilities in a Bilingual Community of Learners" vividly captures the social and intellectual developments and the promises of an ongoing after-school project called La Clase Magica. It is a blow-by-blow description of the early transformations of a project that began as an educational activity and slowly but deliberately turned into a social action project whose aim was to serve those with low economic and political means and little access to educational resources. This multivocal account details research in action for effectively serving Spanish-English bilingual speakers from a Mexican origin community, as well as--on a broader level--the diverse populations that increasingly characterize American society today. The focus is on the early foundational work of the project between 1989-1996, though attention is also given to the national and international recognition the project has subsequently received, the college-going patterns of its long-term participants, and the transplantation of the project to other cultural communities.
The book speaks out from the "zones of contact" between the university and a language minority community about new ways to extend and intersect theory and practice in many areas of the educational enterprise. Contact is defined not only in the physical sense of face-to-face interaction but also as symbolic interaction between languages, cultures, histories, and epistemologies. Thus, Vasquez speaks of optimal possibilities situated in the middle grounds, or more technically speaking, in the borders between Spanish and English, Mexican and mainstream culture, minority and majority designations, and between school and community contexts where contact is made and new arrangements are imagined.
This account uses the reflections of participants at times to take readers from the scientific to the everyday, to make real and concrete the theoretical conceptualizations that box in human behavior. In this way, it defines the theories, methods, and philosophies for linking multiple disciplines, institutions, and participant groups into a concerted effort with potential to reframe the educational opportunities of under-served populations. A close look is provided into the intricacies and the fundamental principles for building and sustaining effective learning environments and institutional relations necessary for enhancing the potential of learners of all ages. In the process, the book also suggests ways in which community members and institutional agents can play an active and integral role in creating learning opportunities that serve both constituencies. Educators and policymakers will find the systems approach for pursuing parent and community involvement in the educational enterprise useful. In sum, the book offers researchers, practitioners, and policymakers much needed guidance, insight, and perhaps inspiration for rethinking educational goals and objectives.

"La Clase Magica: Imagining Optimal Possibilities in a Bilingual Community of Learners" vividly captures the social and intellectual developments and the promises of an ongoing after-school project called La Clase Magica. It is a blow-by-blow description of the early transformations of a project that began as an educational activity and slowly but deliberately turned into a social action project whose aim was to serve those with low economic and political means and little access to educational resources. This multivocal account details research in action for effectively serving Spanish-English bilingual speakers from a Mexican origin community, as well as--on a broader level--the diverse populations that increasingly characterize American society today. The focus is on the early foundational work of the project between 1989-1996, though attention is also given to the national and international recognition the project has subsequently received, the college-going patterns of its long-term participants, and the transplantation of the project to other cultural communities.
The book speaks out from the "zones of contact" between the university and a language minority community about new ways to extend and intersect theory and practice in many areas of the educational enterprise. Contact is defined not only in the physical sense of face-to-face interaction but also as symbolic interaction between languages, cultures, histories, and epistemologies. Thus, Vasquez speaks of optimal possibilities situated in the middle grounds, or more technically speaking, in the borders between Spanish and English, Mexican and mainstream culture, minority and majority designations, and between school and community contexts where contact is made and new arrangements are imagined.
This account uses the reflections of participants at times to take readers from the scientific to the everyday, to make real and concrete the theoretical conceptualizations that box in human behavior. In this way, it defines the theories, methods, and philosophies for linking multiple disciplines, institutions, and participant groups into a concerted effort with potential to reframe the educational opportunities of under-served populations. A close look is provided into the intricacies and the fundamental principles for building and sustaining effective learning environments and institutional relations necessary for enhancing the potential of learners of all ages. In the process, the book also suggests ways in which community members and institutional agents can play an active and integral role in creating learning opportunities that serve both constituencies. Educators and policymakers will find the systems approach for pursuing parent and community involvement in the educational enterprise useful. In sum, the book offers researchers, practitioners, and policymakers much needed guidance, insight, and perhaps inspiration for rethinking educational goals and objectives.

The authors of this book join a growing number of voices calling for teachers in diverse, inclusive schools to move beyond facilitating social participation in classroom activities and consider ways to intellectually engage ALL learners. They draw on emerging work linking critical theory with disability issues; work being done in curriculum studies around issues of social justice teaching, authentic instruction, service learning, and critical pedagogy; and the movement in the field of special education away from a deficit-driven model of education to an orientation that values students' strengths and gifts. "Access to Academics for ALL Students: Critical Approaches to Inclusive Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy: "
*examines the perceptions teachers hold about students with disabilities, students who are racially and ethnically diverse, students using English as a second language, students labeled "at risk," students placed in both "high" and "low" academic tracks, and students in urban schools;
*highlights how students who traditionally have been denied access to challenging work and educational opportunities can be supported to participate in academic instruction; and
*provides ideas for recognizing and challenging inequities, offers a framework for fostering access to academics for students with a range of strengths and needs, and explores pragmatic ways of increasing academic success for all learners.
This volume is appropriate for both undergraduate and master's level courses in curriculum and instruction, methods of teaching (special and general education), inclusive education, multicultural education, and cultural foundations of education. It will serve as a resource for elementary and secondary teachers, for school administrators, and for parents.

This volume brings together four semi-autonomous bodies of research (choice, self-determination, self-regulation, and self-management) to form a new theory of self-engaged learning entitled, Self-Determined Learning Theory. This theory explains why and how students self-engage. It identifies the factors that give students the sense of control over their learning that is needed for sustained, adaptive, and ultimately successful learning. It begins by describing the characteristics of disengaged learners, then describes and illustrates self-determined learning theory within both normal and special populations. It then examines the theory's predictive value across several special population contexts and then concludes with a critique of the theory's credibility and worth.
Divided into three sections--theory construction, theory verification, and theory evaluation--this volume is organized using the four steps of a previous book, "Learning to Theorize: A Four Step Strategy." Step 1 defines a problem of not understanding something as discrepancy between what is known and not known about a circumstance. Step 2 searches for information and explanations to change the condition of not knowing into a condition of knowing. Step 3 evaluates the credibility and worth of the explanation constructed in Step 2. Step 4 adjusts existing beliefs so they are consistent with the new theory.
Although aimed primarily at leaders in special education, it should also appeal to researchers and scholars in psychology, educational psychology, and school psychology who are interested in the applications of self-regulated learning theory--in this case to special populations.

This book considers current issues in the development of policies to promote inclusive education for pupils with special educational needs. By examining issues from the perspective of individual pupils, schools, and local education authorities, it raises critical commentary on the ways forward for a co-ordinated approach to inclusion.
Strategies to Promote Inclusive Practice draws upon the experience and expertise of teachers, policy makers, and researchers, who explore the many factors which need to be addressed in the development of a more inclusive education system. The authors explore the link between theoretical perspectives and the production of policy, as well as the potential for translating this into good classroom practice. They provide examples of approaches which have proved successful in enabling pupils to become better equipped to address the needs of a wide range of pupils. In considering the impact of recent policy, legislation, and research, the authors suggest that several models of inclusion may be necessary in order to become an inclusive education system.
This book will be of interest to students, teachers, policy makers, and researchers, who are concerned to advance the debate on inclusion towards a more pragmatic approach to providing for all pupils with special needs. It is a companion text to Promoting Inclusive Practice edited by Christine Tilstone, Lani Florian and Richard Rose (RoutledgeFalmer, 1998), which was the joint winner of the 1999 TES/NASEN Academic Book Award.

"Teachers will love the straightforward, practical information. The topics and strategies are excellent." -Debi Gartland, Professor of Special Education, Towson University "Impressive. Pinpoints current classroom issues and offers direct problem-solving approaches. This easy-to-implement resource, with its organized chapter outlines and well-crafted format, is flexible and adaptable to any grade, subject, or ability level." -Erin Ann Witty, Special Education Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools, WI "Provides great insight for developing and organizing your overall daily routine, planning, and teaching." -Mariann C. Carter, Exceptional Needs Specialist, South Carolina Department of Education "A valuable reference for any special education teacher. With a focus on classroom management, the guide covers all aspects of teaching, from paperwork to professional relationships. New and veteran teachers will find indispensable resources to improve their practice and enrich their learning." -Peggy Holtman, Special Education Supervisor, Milwaukee Public Schools, WI Special education teaching strategies in a no-nonsense format! If you're a teacher new to special education, this book is for you! This newest Common-Sense Classroom Management guide addresses the most critical challenges that arise when teaching adolescent learners with special needs. In this flexible and easy-to-implement resource, educators will find 80 concise and teacher-tested strategies. Each strategy works in five steps or fewer, helping special educators feel competent and confident about working with coteachers, teacher aides, support staff, administrators, and families. The authors, all special education experts, provide practical assistance with: Specially designed instruction and student organization to make teaching more effective Legal responsibilities aligned with IDEIA and NCLB requirements Positive behavioral supports, including incentive programs and meaningful consequences Ideal for teachers new to special education, teacher trainers, and teacher mentors, this resource provides a clear-sighted focus to help you shape the structure of each teaching day and ensure success for all your learners with special needs!

With Internet access for every school now a reality, teachers are beginning to explore the use of the Internet in the education of children with special needs. This book describes its benefits for children across the spectrum of special educational needs, from those with physical disabilities or sensory impairment to those with learning or social difficulties.
With contributions from leading practitioners in the field, this book addresses the huge range of possibilities the Internet and associated technology offer for these pupils. Combining current theory and debate with practical guidance and inspiring case studies, this book considers:
*how the Internet can be used to gather and publish information
*how to communicate effectively through technology
*policy and management issues for schools
*the continuing challenges for access and inclusion
This book will be of interest to all teachers involved in special education needs, in both mainstream and special schools.

This practical comprehensive book for senior managers and inclusion coordinators covers all the essential aspects of how to manage inclusion more effectively. It informs coordinators about effectively managing their own continuing professional development, and that of other staff working within the inclusion team.

The book explores the role of inclusion assistants, managing an inclusive resource center, identifying barriers to learning for a diversity of pupils; and applying the Index for Inclusion, the Business Excellence Model and the Ofsted school self-evaluation model to review and support inclusive school practice. It also looks at the role of external professionals, support services, beacon, special and specialist schools, national initiatives and ICT enabling schools to improve their inclusive provision.

Local Education Authorities are now obliged to put in place arrangements to try to settle disagreements over the provision for children with special educational needs. This practical book aims to help those charged with making these arrangements and those directly involved in the conciliation and mediation process.
While there is no 'right way' to resolve disputes of this kind, the ultimate goal must be to reach a positive conclusion as quickly as possible for the benefit of the child involved. In this book, the authors look at a range of approaches and issues to achieve this such as:
*how to plan disagreement resolution
*skills and techniques for mediation
*tools for training and self-assessment
*the SEN tribunal
*ethical and legal issues
The book includes contributions from leading practitioners in special educational needs, law, mediation and conciliation. It is the ideal handbook for all those working in the area of special education needs, both in schools and for LEAs and other agencies.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203166213

The aim of this book is to consider how schools and LEAs can develop inclusive policies and practices for students who experience a range of difficulties in learning or behavior. it highlights debates and contradictions about the realities of inclusion and suggests ways in which practice can move forward. The contributors look at key areas of development in special and inclusive education and considers ways in which the latest research can inform practice.
Areas covered include promoting inclusion for all; how to make sense of the Code of Practice SEN Thresholds; working with Teaching Assistants; new approaches to counseling and pastoral care in schools; including pupils with EBD; how nurture groups are helping inclusive practice; making education inclusive for pupils with sensory disabilities; including pupils with specific learning difficulties; and preparing students for an inclusive society.
The book will be of particular interest to teachers, LEA support staff, educational psychologists and related professionals who face the challenge of meeting the needs of a diverse population within an inclusive framework. it will also be of relevance for students in further and higher education, and their tutors.

"Spelltrack" is a practical approach to spelling, developed to help children who have specific difficulties with phoneme awareness, segmenting, blending and phoneme-letter correspondences. It helps to maintain a systematic progression through the process of learning to read and spell.
This book presents activities using tracking techniques to help those learners who have particular difficulty in memorizing high frequency words. By circling (tracking) each letter in one continuous movement, at the same time as saying the letter name, the learner is using visual and kinesthetic senses as well as learning the phonic components of the word. Writing out the spelling from memory, saying the letter names or mnemonic as he or she does so, provides reinforcement of correct letter formation and good handwriting.
The workbook focuses on helping children to learn 'tricky' words that are not phonically regular. Words in common everyday sequences have been included too, to give learners confidence with these words as quickly as possible.
Using Spelltrack activities can help children to scan a line of type effectively, improving reading, letter recognition and discrimination skills; correct problems of left-to-right directionality, omissions and reversals; improve visual recognition, matching and selecting; improve graphic knowledge and phoneme/graphic correspondence; work on fine motor control; consolidate phonic skills and early spelling strategies; and learn proofreading skills.

This title presents the findings of the Policing for London project, an independent investigation into policing in London in the wake of the death of Stephen Lawrence and the subsequent MacPherson Report. The main aim of the project was to identify the factors the police in London needed to consider in order to deliver an equitable and effective service to the people of London in the 21st century. The book sets out the findings of this project in terms of what Londoners wanted and needed for their policing, whether the Metropolitan Police was aware of the public's expectations, whether they met these expectations, and to examine how policing in London could be improved in the future. It also identifies a number of key policy issues in the light of its findings - for example in relation to the centralisation or devolution of decision making, specialisation of function, performance management, policing philosophies and partnership, and the need to regain the confidence of ethnic minority groups. In identifying the key issues facing policing in London this book provides a vital blueprint for addressing the question of police reform in the country as a whole - at a time of intense debate and concern about the future role of the police.

Psychology and Education provides a user-friendly introduction to educational psychology. The book covers psychological theories and their practical applications in education. Susan Bentham has written an ideal guide to this topic for students studying the OCR A-Level specification. The book will also be relevant to those studying the EdExcel specification and to those with a general interest in education and learning. The book covers the cognitive, behaviourist and humanistic perspectives on learning, including the work of Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner and others, and describes the practical applications of these theories. The assessment of educational performance is covered and the cultural and developmental factors affecting performance are discussed. Chapters on the special educational needs of the educationally disadvantaged and gifted, and disruptive behaviour in school are included, with sections on ADHD, autism and dyslexia. The book also discusses teaching and learning styles, and the design and layout of educational environments.
Psychology and Education requires little or no background knowledge and makes an ideal introduction for students of psychology, trainee teachers, child carers and anyone who is interested in what is happening in today's schools.

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Related link: A-Level Psychology Website

Originally published in 1996, Art for All is aimed at the non-specialist teacher of art, and offers a practical approach for working with pupils with wide-ranging learning needs. It presents a developmental framework for art in the light of National Curriculum requirements, with strategies for structuring and supporting appropriate art activity. It is presented in two volumes with colour illustrations: The Framework, which describes the principles of art education in relation to pupils learning difficulties and The Practice, which deals with the specifics of delivering these principles in the classroom. Whilst they stand as independent texts, they are intended to be used together. Art for All will be of interest to all those working in this and related fields in mainstream as well as special education.

Uses a game theoretic approach to explore which economic policies are 'credible' and 'politically feasible', questions that had eluded traditional macroeconomic approaches.

Psychology and Education provides a user-friendly introduction to educational psychology. The book covers psychological theories and their practical applications in education. Susan Bentham has written an ideal guide to this topic for students studying the OCR A level specification. The book will also be relevant to those studying the Edexcel specification and to those with a general interest in education and learning.
The book covers the cognitive, behaviourist and humanistic perspectives on learning, including the work of Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner and others, and describes the practical applications of these theories. The assessment of educational performance is covered and the cultural and developmental factors affecting performance are discussed. Chapters on the special educational needs of the educationally disadvantaged and gifted, and disruptive behaviour in school are included with sections on ADHD, autism and dyslexia. The book also discusses teaching and learning styles, and the design and layout of educational environments.
The book requires little or no background knowledge and makes an ideal introduction for students of psychology, trainee teachers, child carers and anyone who is interested in what is happening in today's schools.

Related link: Free Email Alerting
Related link: A-Level Psychology Website
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First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

"Specific learning disability" is by far the largest category of conditions served in special education. Unfortunately, few parents (and educators) truly understand what a learning disability is. Many erroneously believe it is a politically correct term for mildly mentally retarded or dull normal. Further, while most laypeople have heard of dyslexia, rarely do they know about other types of learning disabilities, such as dysnomia or dyscalculia. In addition to explaining what learning disabilities are and how they should be diagnosed, Learning Disabilities: What Are They? also explores the many different types of learning disabilities that affect children and adults today. Moreover, it presents a host of strategies and resources that can show parents and teachers how to help children succeed. Easy to read and informative, this book is essential for any parent or teacher who has a child with a learning disability.

Ever since its publication in 1995, this book has offered a means for teachers to consider why some bilingual pupils in their classrooms are not making learning progress or are academically underachieving. This new second edition has been revised and updated in the light of the new government legislation and guidance, most significantly the revised Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs.
It continues to look at ways of asking questions about the pupil, of collecting evidence of both learning and language development and of offering support within the classroom.
It contains a model and photocopiable proformas for use within schools, which should help to establish clear systems of identification of those bilingual pupils who may have special learning needs and to distinguish these from the need for language support.

Methods for Teaching in Early Education is a comprehensive textbook offering a thorough introduction to early childhood teaching methods, with a particular focus on inclusive practices. Aligned with both NAEYC standards and CEC's Division for Early Childhood recommended practices, this text explores various early childhood teaching principles and strategies, providing useful guidance for identifying and choosing between approaches. Covering topics from child-directed strategies to working with professionals in early childhood, the authors provide extensive support to prepare teachers for classroom planning and instruction. Each chapter opens and closes with representative vignettes of the challenges faced by today's early educators, and helpfully highlights key terms and objectives to inform learning goals. With the addition of sample worksheets, suggested exercises and helpful references, this book fully supports future teachers in understanding how they might implement these strategies in practice. Methods for Teaching in Early Education will prove indispensable for students of teaching methods courses in both general and special education programs, providing a comprehensive introduction to early childhood teaching strategies relevant for today's inclusive classrooms.

This book provides essential information and guidance about stammering for those working in educational settings. The highly experienced team of authors demonstrates how early intervention is essential if children who stammer are to have the best chance of recovery; the practical strategies that can help with children's oral participation in class, particulary in the light of recent innovations such as the literacy hour and national numeracy strategy; the ways in which teachers can address the educational and social implications of stammering, and reverse the risk of underachieving if these children become isolated, anxious, withdrawn or disruptive; how to influence the climate in schools so that children who stammer are better understood and can be helped to their full potential; and how to prepare pupils for exams, particularly in secondary schools where they may be taking oral examinations. Throughout the text, reference is made to new government initiatives where appropriate, and each chapter includes case studies, practical tasks and activities that can be used in the school setting.

This book tells us how various global regions are dealing with three major concerns within the field of multicultural education:
*the conceptualization and realization of "difference" and "diversity";
*the inclusion and exclusion of social groups within a definition of multicultural education; and
*the effects of power on relations between and among groups identified under the multicultural education umbrella.
All of the chapter authors pay attention to these themes, but, at the same time, they bring their particular interests and perspectives to the book, addressing issues, such as linguistic, racial, ethnic, and religious diversity; class; educational inequalities; teacher education; conceptualizations of citizenship; and questions of identity construction. In addition, the authors offer both historical and social contexts for their analytical discussion of the ideals and practices of multicultural education in a particular region.
This is not a book that tells us about multicultural education with an international "twist"; it provides readers with different ways to think, talk, and do research about issues of "diversity," "difference," and the effects of power as they relate to education.

This text offers the reader an introduction to the historical development of special educational provision. It concentrates on some of the key issues relevant to professionals currently working in the field. It looks at the recent drive towards inclusion and the implications of this for schools. In the present market-oriented context in education, there are a number of dilemmas facing schools which attempt to include all pupils and at the same time respond to the current focus on academic achievement in a national climate of competition and accountability. The book offers practical examples of ways to resolve these dilemmas at the level of the LEA, the school, the classroom and the individual child. It is an Open University reader.;Part one gives an overview of special and inclusive education, current thinking around issues related to equal opportunities, and how this affects schools. It also illustrates how one Local Education Authority has tried to promote a policy of inclusion in its schools.; Part two includes a discussion of the challenges facing teachers in schools who attempt to put current national policies related to inclusion into practice and provides practical examples o