Contextualizing Inclusive Education

Inclusive education is a complex and problematic concept that raises many questions. A team of prominent academics present fresh and critical perspectives on these issues, drawing upon their global resources and knowledge. The over-arching theme of this book is that social, political, economic and cultural contexts play a central role in determining whether or not inclusive education is implemented in a range of regions and countries around the world. A series of original and provocative conclusions is presented, such as: inclusive education means creating a single system of education, which serves all children; inclusive education is a site of conflicting paradigms of children with special needs, centering on a psycho-medical model and a socio-political model; and while many countries seem committed to inclusive education in their rhetoric, legislation and policies, in practice this often falls short. This major landmark resource is suitable for educational policy-makers, researchers, teacher educators, students and international agencies with interests in education.