Michael Farrell

Debating Special Education is a provocative yet timely book examining a range of criticisms made of special education in recent years. Michael Farrell analyses several key debates in special education giving balanced critical responses to inform policy and practice for the future of special education. The book identifies possible limitations to the current special education knowledge base and provision. Michael Farrell examines the value of labelling and classification, and asks if intelligence testing may have detrimental effects; and addresses a number of complex issues such as:how practitioners work within special education; and if, sometimes, professionals may be self-serving whether there is distinctive provision for different types of disabilities and disorders inclusion as mainstreaming offered as an alternative to special education, and the challenges this presents. The author's conclusion is that in responding to these challenges, special education demonstrates its continuing relevance and strength. Presenting a range of international, cross-disciplinary perspectives and debates – which are vital to an understanding of special education today, and written in Farrell's typically accessible style – this book will be relevant for teachers of special children in ordinary and special schools; those on teacher training courses and anyone whose work relates to special education.

Debating Special Education is a provocative yet timely book examining a range of criticisms made of special education in recent years. Michael Farrell analyses several key debates in special education giving balanced critical responses to inform policy and practice for the future of special education. The book identifies possible limitations to the current special education knowledge base and provision. Michael Farrell examines the value of labelling and classification, and asks if intelligence testing may have detrimental effects; and addresses a number of complex issues such as:how practitioners work within special education; and if, sometimes, professionals may be self-serving whether there is distinctive provision for different types of disabilities and disorders inclusion as mainstreaming offered as an alternative to special education, and the challenges this presents. The author's conclusion is that in responding to these challenges, special education demonstrates its continuing relevance and strength. Presenting a range of international, cross-disciplinary perspectives and debates – which are vital to an understanding of special education today, and written in Farrell's typically accessible style – this book will be relevant for teachers of special children in ordinary and special schools; those on teacher training courses and anyone whose work relates to special education.

A unique cross-disciplinary critique of the foundations of Special Education. Covers legal, conceptual, medical, pharmacological, neuropsychological, social, behavioural, cognitive, psychotherapeutic, psycholinguistic, technological and pedagogical foundationsProvides examples of how each foundation provides insights or practical contributions to special education generally, and to specific disabilities and disorders in particularDelivers information across all major types of disorder/disability in a single volume, creating a must-have reference for anyone involved in special education training, research or teaching

'What a terrific resource: comprehensive and current, this Handbook is a vital acquisition for all involved in special education programs. Dr Farrell writes clearly and with a practical flair ... Highly recommended.' – Michael Arthur-Kelly PhD, Associate Professor and Director, Special Education Centre, University of Newcastle, AustraliaThis acclaimed, bestselling and comprehensive guide, now in a fully updated fourth edition, is an essential reference book for anyone involved with special education. All entries have been reviewed to reflect current practice and the book is enriched with extra resources, including references to useful Internet sites. Focusing on current educational frameworks in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the author has gathered into one A to Z volume a wide range of information essential to good practice in mainstream and special schools. A thematic index helps the reader plot a course through topics of interest. The broad themes and areas covered are: basic terms, ideas and valuesvenues relating to special education, and school organisationroles and responsibilitiesindividual differences among learners with disabilities and disorderscurriculum and assessment, resources and technologypedagogy and classroom organisationtherapy and care. Presented in a handy quick reference format The Special Education Handbook also provides a coherent account of the complexities of special education, combining a wealth of practical guidance with the latest research findings. This clear and concise Handbook is indispensable for all those involved in special education, including teachers, teaching assistants, parents, administrators and others.

'What a terrific resource: comprehensive and current, this Handbook is a vital acquisition for all involved in special education programs. Dr Farrell writes clearly and with a practical flair ... Highly recommended.' – Michael Arthur-Kelly PhD, Associate Professor and Director, Special Education Centre, University of Newcastle, AustraliaThis acclaimed, bestselling and comprehensive guide, now in a fully updated fourth edition, is an essential reference book for anyone involved with special education. All entries have been reviewed to reflect current practice and the book is enriched with extra resources, including references to useful Internet sites. Focusing on current educational frameworks in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the author has gathered into one A to Z volume a wide range of information essential to good practice in mainstream and special schools. A thematic index helps the reader plot a course through topics of interest. The broad themes and areas covered are: basic terms, ideas and valuesvenues relating to special education, and school organisationroles and responsibilitiesindividual differences among learners with disabilities and disorderscurriculum and assessment, resources and technologypedagogy and classroom organisationtherapy and care. Presented in a handy quick reference format The Special Education Handbook also provides a coherent account of the complexities of special education, combining a wealth of practical guidance with the latest research findings. This clear and concise Handbook is indispensable for all those involved in special education, including teachers, teaching assistants, parents, administrators and others.

Giving an up-to-date picture of the work of special schools, this practical and informative book provides an invaluable and timely companion for anyone teaching or planning to teach in special schools in the United Kingdom. Using case studies of good practice to provide clear suggestions on how special schools may be further developed, the wide-ranging chapters address topics such as:adapting the curriculum to give special schools more flexibilityimplications of Every Child Matters and multi-professional workingorganisational changes in special schoolsthe changing roles of staff in the modern special schoolways of assessing the progress and achievement of pupilsworking with parents. With a no-nonsense, non-academic approach, and with each chapter featuring think points and suggestion for further study, The Special School's Handbook contains a wealth of invaluable information, resources and advice and is a handy reference book which staff can dip in and out of at their leisure.

Giving an up-to-date picture of the work of special schools, this practical and informative book provides an invaluable and timely companion for anyone teaching or planning to teach in special schools in the United Kingdom. Using case studies of good practice to provide clear suggestions on how special schools may be further developed, the wide-ranging chapters address topics such as:adapting the curriculum to give special schools more flexibilityimplications of Every Child Matters and multi-professional workingorganisational changes in special schoolsthe changing roles of staff in the modern special schoolways of assessing the progress and achievement of pupilsworking with parents. With a no-nonsense, non-academic approach, and with each chapter featuring think points and suggestion for further study, The Special School's Handbook contains a wealth of invaluable information, resources and advice and is a handy reference book which staff can dip in and out of at their leisure.

This book challenges the assumption that special schools are a second-best educational option for their pupils. It celebrates the success and importance of special schools within England and the support of local education authorities (LEAs) in maintaining them. Full of examples highlighting good practice, including the views of parents, pupils and ex-pupils who have all experienced a positive special school education, the book: clearly outlines the principles at the heart of the inclusion debatediscusses the tension in schools between raising standards and being inclusiveassesses the future role of special schoolsoffers an alternative vision of 'optimal education' for each child. Celebrating the Special School will be of interest to parents of children attending special schools or considering placement, LEA officers, special school staff, staff working in units for pupils with SEN and parents of these children.

Looks at the role of educational standards in the teaching of children with disabilities.

Considerable challenges can face all those involved in teaching children with special educational needs. Complex policy and legislation, bureaucracy, inspection and limited resources can all appear difficult obstacles to those seeking to provide effective tuition. In this highly practical book, Michael Farrell unpicks and clarifies the role of educational standards in today's schools. Drawing extensively on detailed, real-life case studies, he closely explores such issues as: the definition of standards, identifying and providing for special educational needs, assessment and benchmarking, curriculum provision and target-setting, the role of the Code of Practice. Special educational needs coordinators, senior managers in schools and students completing initial training courses will find this an invaluable resource, which effortlessly simplifies an often complicated process.

Answering challenging questions such as "Does the term SEN mean anything any more?" and "Is SEN biologically or socially determined?" this book:* Makes sense of the controversy surrounding Special Educational Needs with clear sign posted information* Is comprehensive in the range of Special Educational Needs it covers* Clarifies information with case studies

`This book provides a succinct overview of SEN policy and is likely to be a useful resource for those undertaking accredited courses related to SEN and inclusion' - SENCO Update 'The combination of the theoretical and practical aspects of special educational needs makes this book a valuable resource for practitioners and should enable them to develop reflective and insightful practice.' - Michael Shevlin, Trinity College Dublin, TES Extra Special Needs `This is a comprehensive and thorough overview of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) landscape as it is in the UK today. The book is very clearly aimed at specialists in the field, and Michael Farrell incorporates developments that are sometimes ignored - emotional intelligence for example. There is a nice touch in that each chapter concludes with 'thinking points'. I could see that the book could make a sound basis for a training course on SEN, based around these. The book is highly readable though I expect it is more likely to be used as a reference text, or, as I suggested above, as a basis for training. However it is used, it is invaluable as an up to date assessment of SEN in 2004 and highly recommended to anyone working, or planning to work in this field' - Nurtuting Potential `Essential reading for every SENCO, in fact, for everyone involved in special educational needs. By examining the background to key areas the book gives teachers, managers and advisers the depth of understanding that is necessary to make informed choices about what constitutes the most effective practice' - Dr Tony Lingard, Head of Learning Support, Cambourne Science and Community College `With its scope and depth of coverage, this book provides a useful resource through combining background information, theory and practice as well as the tools for further research for both novice and experienced practitioner' - Ms Lyn Hurst, Headteacher This book provides a `route map' for special education. Through examining related disciplines, which illuminate the field, it considers how special education can be better understood. The author views issues in special education within the wider disciplines of history, sociology, law, politics, ethics, economics, medicine and psychology. He looks at the national, local and school frameworks in which special education operates, and shows how provision for pupils with special educational needs is influenced by structures, procedures and practices at national, local and school levels. Features include: } the ethics of preventing disability } 'lesson's history } identifying value in sociological perspectives } psychological and other Models of teaching } aspects of the National Framework } aspects of the Local Framework } the School SEN Policy } the Curriculum and School Organization This book is essential reading for teachers, headteachers, Special Educational Needs co-ordinators and all those who have an interest in special education and managing inclusion.

`This book provides a succinct overview of SEN policy and is likely to be a useful resource for those undertaking accredited courses related to SEN and inclusion' - SENCO Update 'The combination of the theoretical and practical aspects of special educational needs makes this book a valuable resource for practitioners and should enable them to develop reflective and insightful practice.' - Michael Shevlin, Trinity College Dublin, TES Extra Special Needs `This is a comprehensive and thorough overview of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) landscape as it is in the UK today. The book is very clearly aimed at specialists in the field, and Michael Farrell incorporates developments that are sometimes ignored - emotional intelligence for example. There is a nice touch in that each chapter concludes with 'thinking points'. I could see that the book could make a sound basis for a training course on SEN, based around these. The book is highly readable though I expect it is more likely to be used as a reference text, or, as I suggested above, as a basis for training. However it is used, it is invaluable as an up to date assessment of SEN in 2004 and highly recommended to anyone working, or planning to work in this field' - Nurtuting Potential `Essential reading for every SENCO, in fact, for everyone involved in special educational needs. By examining the background to key areas the book gives teachers, managers and advisers the depth of understanding that is necessary to make informed choices about what constitutes the most effective practice' - Dr Tony Lingard, Head of Learning Support, Cambourne Science and Community College `With its scope and depth of coverage, this book provides a useful resource through combining background information, theory and practice as well as the tools for further research for both novice and experienced practitioner' - Ms Lyn Hurst, Headteacher This book provides a `route map' for special education. Through examining related disciplines, which illuminate the field, it considers how special education can be better understood. The author views issues in special education within the wider disciplines of history, sociology, law, politics, ethics, economics, medicine and psychology. He looks at the national, local and school frameworks in which special education operates, and shows how provision for pupils with special educational needs is influenced by structures, procedures and practices at national, local and school levels. Features include: } the ethics of preventing disability } 'lesson's history } identifying value in sociological perspectives } psychological and other Models of teaching } aspects of the National Framework } aspects of the Local Framework } the School SEN Policy } the Curriculum and School Organization This book is essential reading for teachers, headteachers, Special Educational Needs co-ordinators and all those who have an interest in special education and managing inclusion.

Teachers need to be fully equipped to respond to diversity in today's classrooms now more than ever before. The Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and Induction Standards are now the driving force behind initial teacher education, and students will need to demonstrate their competence against these, and in particular, their understanding of Special Educational Needs in today's inclusive classrooms. Each chapter of this indispensable text explores an important topic within SEN and directly relates it to the competencies, making it an essential course companion. Chapters on topics relating to the code of practice, school policy, literacy and numeracy, ICT, emotional and behavioural difficulties and dealing with parents all follow a similar template, which includes:a commentary on the relevant professional standardscontextualising of the standardswhat teachers can do to promote effective practice. Detailed referencing will lead students to pursue more detailed individual texts, which address many of the issues in greater depth. This is an ideal, highly accessible text for student and new qualified teachers who need a reliable introduction to today's vital issues within Special Educational Needs.

Teachers need to be fully equipped to respond to diversity in today's classrooms now more than ever before. The Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and Induction Standards are now the driving force behind initial teacher education, and students will need to demonstrate their competence against these, and in particular, their understanding of Special Educational Needs in today's inclusive classrooms. Each chapter of this indispensable text explores an important topic within SEN and directly relates it to the competencies, making it an essential course companion. Chapters on topics relating to the code of practice, school policy, literacy and numeracy, ICT, emotional and behavioural difficulties and dealing with parents all follow a similar template, which includes:a commentary on the relevant professional standardscontextualising of the standardswhat teachers can do to promote effective practice. Detailed referencing will lead students to pursue more detailed individual texts, which address many of the issues in greater depth. This is an ideal, highly accessible text for student and new qualified teachers who need a reliable introduction to today's vital issues within Special Educational Needs.

Amidst all of the bureaucracy and policy concerning special educational needs (SEN), it is easy to lose sight of the role of standards in the education of pupils with SEN. This book places the role of standards at the centre of the stage, showing:- what is meant by standards- how they are measured- how they can be improved- what pitfalls need to be avoidedTopics include: legisaltion; identification of SEN; target settting; benchmarking; value added; inclusive education; and resources. The book focuses on UK education systmes but includes frequent and sustained comparison with USA. There are also references to Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

Michael Farrell presents an examination of the main issues affecting secondary schools and the implications for secondary education. The resource includes information on accreditation of pupils, careers education and guidance, discipline, leadership and management and transition from primary to secondary school. By using the A-Z format, he tackles the issues in an easy to follow way. Each section ends with a series of points for action, selective suggestions for further reading and addresses of useful contacts. Michael Farrell's book is intended for a wide range of people professionally concerned with education, from Headteachers and governors to BEd and PGCE students. It is a reference book that no secondary school should be without.

Key Issues for Primary Schools is a concise comprehensive guide to the main issues in primary education and the implications for schools. Presented in a convenient A-Z format, the book includes coverage of:* special educational needs* attendance, truancy and exclusion* bullying and behavioural problems* management and administration* safety and security. There is also a review of up-to-date DfEE requirements and suggestions for further action and reading. The addresses of useful contacts help to make it a reference book no primary school should be without.

A new and innovatory volume, the Blackwell Handbook of Education is both authoritative and accessible and will be an invaluable guide for anyone involved in the field of education. It covers a wide variety of topics in A to Z format, and also features separate guides to acronyms, organisations and legislation, as well as both alphabetical and classified indexes.