From Disability to Possibility : The Power of Inclusive Classrooms

by Schwarz, Patrick

• ISBN13: 9780325009933
• ISBN10: 0325009937
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-07-31
• Publisher: HEINEMANN

Summary

From Disability to Possibility will change the way you look at your students with disabilities. And when you make that shift, the way those students look to you will change. You will see the possibilities, and in that vision, you will see the power of the inclusive classroom. -Kylene Beers Drawing on the stories of learners, both with and without disabilities, as well as families and teachers, Patrick Schwarz shows you not only why many current special education frameworks don't work, but also how they damage children, often for life. Then he demonstrates how possibility studies offers a meaningful, practical, and doable alternative to traditional special education practices both during the school years and after. Ideal for general educators, special educators, administrators, educational leaders, related service professionals, paraeducators and self-advocates, From Disability to Possibilityillustrates, through stories of struggle and success, how creative, conscientious teachers can work with everyone involved in a student's learning to make special education work.

Author Biography

Patrick Schwarz is Associate Professor of Special Education and Chair of Diversity Learning and Development for National-Louis University, Chicago.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Diversity is Good

Sam: Finding the Good in Everyone

Andrew: Going Places by Being Diverse

Special Education is a Service, Not a Sentence

Susan: Making Difference Ordinary

Gavin: Creating a Support Plan Around a Student Without Prerequisites

Fairness is Not Sameness

No Double Standards

Marco: Donrsquo;t Hold a Disability Against a Person

Zach: Learning the Rules

Dining in Siberia

Eric: Advocate for Students

A General Education Shouldnrsquo;t Need to Be Earned

Anthony: The Least Restrictive Environment and System Reform

Jenny: A Free Appropriate Public Education Is Not Always Free or Appropriate

Katie: Keeping the Faith

Inclusion May Not Be Easier, But Itrsquo;s Better

Mark: A Defining Moment for Inclusion

Components of Inclusion

Jack: Inclusion Is Better for Everyone

The Dignity of Risk Applies to All People

Ben: Portraying the Dignity of Risk

The Dignity of Risk and Learned Helplessness

Julie: Protection Instead of Isolation

Lindsay: Promoting Independence and Quality of Life

Mick: We all Need Confidence and Competence

Parents: The Gold Standard

Elizabeth and Trevor: Believe You Will Be Successful

Brenda and Brian: Never Give Up

Tonya and David: Families Are Our Most Valuable Resource

Get Rid of Labels

Nick: Beating A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Franklin: Self-Advocacy Stamps Out Labels

Would the Artist Formerly Known as Special Education Please Stand Up?

Make Education Real!

Jamie: Zero In on What a Student Does Best

Dylan: Donrsquo;t Waste a Studentrsquo;s Time

Justin: An Educational Wake-Up Call

Ella: Sometimes We Need Tough Love

Disability Is Normal

Works Cited

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