A Sociology of Special and Inclusive Education brings sociological perspectives to bear on the social, political and economic policies and practices that comprise special and inclusive education, and the education of lower attainers. Increasingly governments have accepted the premise that education should incorporate all social and ethnic groups, especially those regarded as having special educational needs, disabilities and difficulties in learning, but despite a plethora of literature on special and inclusive education world-wide, governments are still unsure of the reasons for this sector's expansion in their national education systems.

Professor Tomlinson applies critical sociological perspectives to the social processes, policies and practices that comprise special and inclusive education, particularly in England and the USA. She clearly examines the way in which people or groups exercise power and influence to shape this area of education, and discusses the conflicts of interest that arise in resulting social interactions and relationships. Key questions asked include:

• Why and how has a whole sector of education dealing with young people regarded as having learning difficulties, low attainments, behaviour problems or disabilities developed?
• How have special education programmes and resources become subsumed into variations of inclusive education?
• Why have ideological beliefs in hierarchies of ability, limits to learning potential and IQ as measurement continued to legitimate the treatment of young people?
• What happens to young people after their special, included or lower attainers' programmes, in terms of work and life chances?

A Sociology of Special and Inclusive Education will be of interest to a wide range of educators, professionals, practitioners and policy-makers concerned with special, inclusive and vocational education, in addition to undergraduate, post-graduate and research students and academics.

About the Author

Sally Tomlinson is Emeritus Professor at Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK, and an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Education, University of Oxford, UK. She has written and researched for over 30 years in the areas of educational policy, special education and the education of minorities. Her recent books with Routledge are Ignorant Yobs? Low Attainers in a Global Knowledge Economy (2013) and The Politics of Race, Class and Special Education (2014).

Reviews

"A Sociology of Special and Inclusive Education gives insights into beliefs and structures that form the contested ground of inclusive provision in contemporary schools [...] It serves a useful purpose in reinforcing a (perhaps cynical) view that, despite the 30 or more years of policy effort, a regrettable status quo remains in education."
-- Philip Garner, Schools Week Review

"Professor Tomlinson applies critical sociological perspectives to the social processes, policies and practices that comprise special and inclusive education, particularly in England and the USA. She clearly examines the way in which people or groups exercise power and influence to shape this area of education, and discusses the conflicts of interest that arise in resulting social interactions and relationships."
-- Julie Summers, The Midwest Book Review

"A Sociology of Special and Inclusive Education: Exploring the Manufacture of Inability provides a deep historical perspective on the education system that surrounds issues of race, gender, social class, and disability [...] The critical questions raised in this text, along with the research analysis and rich history, make this a powerful resource for educators, professionals, and policymakers."
-- Teachers College Record, August 2017

Book Information
ISBN 9781138182776
Author Sally Tomlinson
Format Paperback
Page Count 182
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 294g