Special and Inclusive Education: A Research Perspective

This book fills a gap in the dissemination of practitioner research on special and inclusive education in Ireland. The successful implementation of an inclusive education policy is a process which depends largely on the attitudes, knowledge and competencies of teachers. In this volume, teacher-researchers report on work undertaken within the Special Education Department of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. The studies are grouped around three key issues: responding to diversity, access to the curriculum and collaboration for inclusion. They offer valuable insights into the challenges and barriers to inclusive education and point to ways that schools can address these challenges from the perspective of small-scale research. The authors draw on a range of research methodologies, from single case experimental design to case studies, in order to illuminate the issues at the level of the individual student, teacher, class and school. The book is relevant to all who have an interest in practitioner research, the implementation of inclusive education and how policy translates in individual contexts.