Tony Booth – författare

While many books explore the possibilities for developing inclusive practices in schools, and ‘inclusion’ is widely regarded as a desirable goal, much of the literature on the subject has been narrowly concerned with the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. This book however, takes the view that marginalisation, exclusion and underachievement take many forms and affect many different kinds of child. As such, a definition of inclusion should also touch upon issues of equity, participation, community, entitlement, compassion, respect for diversity and sustainability.

Here the highly regarded authors focus on:

The book is part of the Improving Learning series, published in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Research Project.

While many books explore the possibilities for developing inclusive practices in schools, and ‘inclusion’ is widely regarded as a desirable goal, much of the literature on the subject has been narrowly concerned with the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. This book however, takes the view that marginalisation, exclusion and underachievement take many forms and affect many different kinds of child. As such, a definition of inclusion should also touch upon issues of equity, participation, community, entitlement, compassion, respect for diversity and sustainability.

Here the highly regarded authors focus on:

The book is part of the Improving Learning series, published in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Research Project.

Inclusive education has become a phrase with international currency shaping the content of conferences and national educational policies around the world. But what does it mean? Is it about including a special group of disabled learners or students seen to have ''special needs'' (them) or is it concerned with making educational institutions inclusive, responsive to the diversity of all their students (us)? In this unique comparative study, the editors have brought together an international team of researchers from eight countries to develop case-studies which explore the processes of inclusion and exclusion within a school or group of schools set in its local and national context. The study includes classroom observation, the experiences of the school day of students and interviews with staff, students, parents and school governors. Through an innovative juxtaposition of the case-studies and commentaries on them, differences of perspective within and between countries are revealed and analysed. The study arose from a dissatisfaction with previous research, which presents ''national perspectives'' or seeks findings that have global significance. This book avoids such simplification and draws attention to the problems of translation of practice across cultures. The editors start from an assumption of diversity of perspective which like the diversity of students within schools can be viewed as problematic or as a resource to be recognized and celebrated.

Inclusive education has become a phrase with international currency shaping the content of conferences and national educational policies around the world. But what does it mean? Is it about including a special group of disabled learners or students seen to have ''special needs'' (them) or is it concerned with making educational institutions inclusive, responsive to the diversity of all their students (us)? In this unique comparative study, the editors have brought together an international team of researchers from eight countries to develop case-studies which explore the processes of inclusion and exclusion within a school or group of schools set in its local and national context. The study includes classroom observation, the experiences of the school day of students and interviews with staff, students, parents and school governors. Through an innovative juxtaposition of the case-studies and commentaries on them, differences of perspective within and between countries are revealed and analysed. The study arose from a dissatisfaction with previous research, which presents ''national perspectives'' or seeks findings that have global significance. This book avoids such simplification and draws attention to the problems of translation of practice across cultures. The editors start from an assumption of diversity of perspective which like the diversity of students within schools can be viewed as problematic or as a resource to be recognized and celebrated.

The emphasis in this book shifts to the coordination of practice into schools, regional and national policies and the power and interest groups concerned with educational difficulties and disability. In the opening section the authors review the location of power in the systems; the impact of Local Management of Schools, case studies of Union policy, the National Curriculum Council and voluntary societies. They then look at one threatened element of the power structure - the local education authorities. They examine the features of local authority policy and attempt to systematise local policy. The experience of families is examined in their relationships with professionals, particularly during the preparation of Statements of Special Educational Need. This is followed by sections on services for under-fives, integrating education and the authors provide examples of changing school policies and the practices that have arisen from them; supporting the learning of all pupils in primary and secondary schools, changing the role of special schools, ensuring that girls and boys are provided with equal opportunities, writing a development plan and the experience of a teacher with a disability. They then examine policies and practices in education after school and finish with theories of integration and disability.

The emphasis in this book shifts to the coordination of practice into schools, regional and national policies and the power and interest groups concerned with educational difficulties and disability. In the opening section the authors review the location of power in the systems; the impact of Local Management of Schools, case studies of Union policy, the National Curriculum Council and voluntary societies. They then look at one threatened element of the power structure - the local education authorities. They examine the features of local authority policy and attempt to systematise local policy. The experience of families is examined in their relationships with professionals, particularly during the preparation of Statements of Special Educational Need. This is followed by sections on services for under-fives, integrating education and the authors provide examples of changing school policies and the practices that have arisen from them; supporting the learning of all pupils in primary and secondary schools, changing the role of special schools, ensuring that girls and boys are provided with equal opportunities, writing a development plan and the experience of a teacher with a disability. They then examine policies and practices in education after school and finish with theories of integration and disability.