We reviewed the literature on culturally responsive instruction published in "Multiple Voices for Ethnically Diverse Learners" over 10 years to examine how "culture" and "culturally responsive" were defined and for what purpose. Generally, we found that culturally responsive pedagogy was constructed in alignment with…

The purpose of this article of reflection is to share ideas of the comprehensive framework in the pedagogical and epistemic knowledge of Special Education. What it allows, to address the constructions facing the paradigmatic shift of migration towards an Inclusive Education that from the XX century takes a leading character in the pedagogical…

Approximately 15% of all students aged 3-21 receive special education services within their public schools (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES, 2022). For all individuals with disabilities, discrimination based on their disability status, known as ableism, is common and is often experienced through indirect actions rooted in stigma and…

The changing of the political and economic systems in Poland ushered in changes in the education system, including special education. After many years of segregation and social exclusion of children with disabilities, ideas of autonomy, normalization, and integration initiated the building of a modern system of education of children and youth.…

With the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the term disability is consolidated in its dynamic meaning as a condition that is defined by the interaction between personal factors and the environment in which one lives (WHO, 2001). The characteristics of the reference context that can be an obstacle or…

Koomen's study of Wizard--an articulate, inquisitive, energetic seventh grader with a penchant for science--adversely juxtaposed his learning-centered identity with classroom experiences that marginalized him. I claim in my response that critical commentary about Wizard's race is germane to any analysis of his experiences, as participation in an…

This article addresses the debate between traditionalism and inclusion within special education, and presents the argument that being disabled and having special needs are very real conditions, even though disabilities are socially constructed, and that teachers must respond to this reality. This article first presents a theoretical framework that…

The history of educational services for mentally retarded persons in Denmark is traced, along with the evolution of attitudes toward the population from a protectionist philosophy which promoted segregation to current thinking about normalization. The role of the national parents' association in influencing service review and reform is stressed.…

This article focuses on special education as cultural representation and explores how it is fashioned by the realities of the Caribbean diaspora. These realities are framed within the context of the Caribbean's response to the global agenda of education for all and the development of learning support systems that are relevant to regional and…

A model program for providing recreational and leisure services to special populations within the school system is described. (JMF)

Advocates normalization in art for students experiencing disabilities. Argues against the use of therapeutic or remedial approaches that use art to achieve nonart objectives. Provides a problem-solving matrix to help art teachers meet the needs of disabled students. (CFR)

The article proposes a unified educational system combining special and regular educational programs. Advantages include treatment of all children as individuals, integration of school personnel, personnel preparation organized according to areas of instructional expertise, and normalization of advocacy and funding activities. (DB)

Introduces three philosophical issues to consider when developing curriculum for mentally retarded children: (1) the role of content versus learning processes and teaching methodology in curriculum decisions; (2) the principle of normalization and its implications; and (3) the child's right to choice in curriculum content. (DST)

The paper reviews the development of special education from a sociological perspective as a social tool for segregation and then examines the recent reversal of this trend (normalization and de-handicapping). The author concludes by speculating on the role of special education in the new scientific technological era. (CL)

A New Zealand report on mainstreaming students with special educational needs has stimulated discussion of the policy's real outcomes and the wisdom of placing students in special education without appropriate support services. Development of specific educational and social goals and instructional and organizational changes facilitating…