Included or Excluded?

In a pamphlet published in 2005 Mary Warnock expressed concerns about some of the concepts that she had helped to introduce in the field of special education almost three decades earlier. She argued that the role of special schools was unclear and the pursuit of inclusion had become too ideological. This highly topical book suggests that distinctions should be made between kinds of special needs and the possibility addressed that some SEN children might be happier and more effective as learners within non-mainstream settings. Her call for a government review to investigate these problems raised its media profile, fuelling the debate. This book pulls together contributions from all sides of the argument. An essential read for anyone involved in special education as well as the philosophy and ethics of education this book truly breaks new ground.

Dr Ruth Cigman is lecturer in philosophy at Birbeck Faculty of Continuing Education, University of London, UK. Baroness Warnock, Peer and lead author of The Warnock Report (1978) that radically shaped UK education policy.

Part 1: Moderate Inclusion and the Case for Special Schools 1. A Defence of Moderate Inclusion and the End of Ideology 2. Rights, Efficacy and Inclusive Education 3. Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders 4. Speaking as a Parent: Thoughts about Educational Inclusion for Autistic Children 5. 'Jig-Sawing It Together': Reflections on Deaf Pupils and Inclusion 6. The Road to Marrakech: Reflections on Small Schools and Fragile Children 7. Diversity and Choice for Children with Complex Needs Part 2: Philosophical and Practical Perspectives on Inclusive Education 8. Dilemmas of Inclusion and the Future of Education 9. Reforming Special Educational Needs Law: Vocabulary and Distributive Justice 10. Beyond the Dilemma of Difference: The Capability Approach to Disability and Special Educational Needs 11. Meeting Additional Educational Needs With or Without Statements 12. But What about the Others: Patterns of Student Achievement in Inclusive Schools 13. Towards a More Inclusive Education: A Consideration of the Future Roles of Special Schools 14. Visions for the Village: A New Framework for Inclusive Learning 15. Inclusion through Technology for Autistic Children 16. Disaffected, Distressed and Distressing: What Can We Do about Pupils Who Present Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties? 17. Nurture Groups: Making Inclusion Work for Difficult and Disadvantaged Children