This paper aims to examine some tensions that underlie inclusive education as regards pupils with disabilities and difficulties. Two key tensions are analysed: difference as enabling-stigmatising (dilemmas of difference) and participation-protection, both of which can lead to significant dilemmas. Berlin's hedgehog-fox distinction about the unity…

Policies of inclusion in schools now transcend national boundaries; but much less is known about how teachers interact best with each other in order to establish a successful inclusion environment. School psychologists cannot work in isolation and require being fully conversant with this perennially polemic topic. This article reports on a study…

This paper reports findings about placement questions relevant to disability in education. It is part of a larger international study of the perspectives of 132 education practitioners and administrators in England, the USA and The Netherlands to several dilemmas of difference. Participants were interviewed about their perspectives to a presented…

This report summarizes the status of students (ages 5 to 15) with disabilities placed in either special schools or ordinary schools in England local education authorities (LEAs) for the years 1988 through 1992. A summary notes some trends, including: a small increase from 1991 to 1992 in special school placements; wide variations in where LEAs…

This study examined the views of 101 boys and girls aged 10-11 and 13-14 with statements of special educational needs for moderate learning difficulties. Questions centred on their experiences of school, teaching and learning in mainstream and special schools. The study is set in the context of the international move towards more inclusion of…

The field of special education is discussed in terms of "connective specialization," the contrary tendencies in the distinctiveness and yet inherent connectedness of special education with other areas of education. Its implications for inclusion are reviewed. The article emphasizes the need to view children as having individual needs,…

This book is the first publication in the fifth series of seminars organised by the SEN Policy Options Steering Group to examine policy issues to do with special educational needs. The aim of the seminar was to examine in depth several underlying issues raised by the recent Audit Commission Reports on special educational needs. The seminar…

This study of English (United Kingdom) local education authority (LEA) data reports on the number of pupils (ages 5-15) with disabilities in special schools and ordinary schools for 1993, 1994, and 1996. Results indicate: (1) the overall percentage of pupils in special schools decreased from 1.49 percent in 1992 to 1.46 percent in 1993, to 1.45…

This is the seventh analysis of the percentages of pupils aged 5 to 15 in special schools and the percentages of pupils aged 5 to 15 with statements in special schools. The analysis is based on the official Department for Education and Skills data of indicators for England. Findings indicate the national percentage of 5- to 15-year-old pupils in…

This article discusses the withdrawal of a publication that tracked British local education agency (LEA) trends in placement of pupils with disabilities in special schools. It describes the data problem encountered by counting pupils in non-LEA special schools within the boundaries of LEAs that did not place the students. (CR)

Background: The study is set in the context of international moves towards more inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream schools and the greater importance attached to the child's voice in decision making in education. Aims: To examine how children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) in mainstream and special schools see…

This paper aims to examine what the capability approach has to offer to the field of special needs and inclusive education. Several key questions are addressed: can the capability approach replace the language of needs and rights; whether the capability approach can address key issues in the field of disabilities and difficulties in education and…

The project reported in this paper addresses the issue of trainee teacher learning with regard to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) during the school placement element of one-year postgraduate teacher training programmes in England. Through a focus on the university/school partnership, school organisational and classroom pedagogic…