There are different ways of theorising dyslexia and different ways of constructing meanings around dyslexia in different learning contexts. This paper considers the role of neoliberalist ideology in shaping conversations about dyslexia and "fairness" during two focus group conversations analysed as part of a study into the discursive…

Words and labels used about a person inevitably have an impact, whether intended or unintended. This article discusses the need for intentional and overt, critical reflection and discussion in higher education regarding the language faculty and students use. The authors provide language examples commonly used in courses that could have varied…

In the United Kingdom (UK), Higher Education Institutions share with other educational providers the duty to provide reasonable adjustments for students who disclose disabilities. The role of academic administrators in the operationalisation of legislation-driven policy related to disability within the university context is overlooked within…

To help preservice teachers gain an emotional understanding of the feelings of handicapped students who are separated from their classmates because of their individualized educational programs (IEPs), letters were sent to the class explaining that the three lowest scorers on the next exam would be given IEPs and placed in a separate section of the…

This article reports on a British study that examined the connotations of several special education labels (abnormality, deficit, impairment, disability, learning difficulties, and special educational needs) to experienced teachers, trainee teachers, and trainee educational psychologists (total N=220). All three groups rated "special…

Although community-based treatment strategies have gained in prominence, recipients of those services still suffer from negative labeling and public reactions. To investigate differential effects of labels and/or descriptions of handicaps on attitudes toward disabilities, two studies were conducted. In the first study, 140 college students (65%…

The nine guidelines offered in this paper serve as suggestions to teachers and other concerned individuals who want to ensure that the curricular materials at all educational levels are free of unnecessary stereotypes and bias. Adapted from criteria offered by the National Center on Education Media and Materials, the guidelines apply to…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter discusses experiences in the Human Relations Program at the University of Minnesota. The program has developed from one that offers undergraduate and graduate courses in human relations to one that also responds to requests from community agencies other than the…

Describes what inclusion is and how people in the helping professions may unintentionally promote exclusion. Describes the author's use of alphapoems in a course to develop college students' affective learning and advocacy toward people with disabilities. Offers examples of students' work and concludes that alphapoems served to further pedagogical…

Forty-eight textbooks in educational psychology published after 1950 were located for review. Half the books were published before 1975 and half following 1975. The purpose of the study was to describe changes in coverage and treatment of individual differences and special populations since the passage of Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All…

Since attitudes, expectations, and practices related to minorities and handicapped individuals are similiar, it is suggested that teacher education programs for these groups also be similar. Compatible components of special education and multieducational teacher competencies are discussed. (DF)

This article presents knowledge about disability issues that seven undergraduate students constructed through participation in a semester-long service learning class. In-depth interviews and examination of reflective journals revealed that students used their experiences to question the nature of relationships with people with disabilities, the…

The influence of disability labels, writing behavior of the person labeled, evaluator's expertise, and the interaction between these variables on the scores assigned to children's writing was examined. Disability labels did not affect the score, but the quality of writing and the examiner's expertise had a significant influence. (JAZ)

This book of 24 papers presents divergent views on 12 issues in special education: organizational strategies, classroom service delivery approaches, maximizing the talents and gifts of students, classification and labeling, assessment, instructional strategies, classroom management, collaboration/consultation, research practices, higher education,…

A brief overview is provided of the levels of training and areas of concentration that are available through the 29 institutions of higher education in the State of Pennsylvania offering preparation for the kindergarten through high school special education certification program. Consideration is then given to whether the teacher training is…