Debating Special Education is a provocative yet timely book examining a range of criticisms made of special education in recent years. Michael Farrell analyses several key debates in special education giving balanced critical responses to inform policy and practice for the future of special education.

The book identifies possible limitations to the current special education knowledge base and provision. Michael Farrell examines the value of labelling and classification, and asks if intelligence testing may have detrimental effects; and addresses a number of complex issues such as:

• how practitioners work within special education; and if, sometimes, professionals may be self-serving
• whether there is distinctive provision for different types of disabilities and disorders
• inclusion as mainstreaming offered as an alternative to special education, and the challenges this presents.

The author's conclusion is that in responding to these challenges, special education demonstrates its continuing relevance and strength. Presenting a range of international, cross-disciplinary perspectives and debates - which are vital to an understanding of special education today, and written in Farrell's typically accessible style - this book will be relevant for teachers of special children in ordinary and special schools; those on teacher training courses and anyone whose work relates to special education.

About the Author
Michael Farrell is an independent consultant in special education. He has published extensively in the field; his books include The Special Education Handbook, Celebrating the Special School, Key Issues in Special Education and Educating Special Children along with a number of The Effective Teacher's Guides (all published by Routledge).

Reviews

"I hope this book will be widely read. Special education needs greater understanding, and Michael Farrell's book will do much to help people understand what special education is and why we must have it." - James M. Kauffman, Professor Emeritus of Education, University of Virginia, USA

"This is an original text addressing a much needed topic. The book may ... become a seminal text in the field of special education" - Garry Hornby, Professor of Education, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

"His courage to challenge the popular interpretation of disability as a social construct is very well placed for the stage of debate we have reached in the UK, particularly the government's "mainstreaming" agenda. A unique and a particularly valuable addition to the national SEN discussion" - Richard Aird, Headteacher, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9780415567282
Author Michael Farrell
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 226g