Widening the Circle by Mara Sapon-Shevin

Widening the Circle by Mara Sapon-Shevin

Widening the Circle is a passionate, even radical argument for creating school and classroom environments where all kids, including children labeled as disabled and special needs, are welcome on equal terms.

In opposition to traditional models of special education, where teachers decide when a child is deemed ready to compete in mainstream classes, Mara Sapon-Shevin articulates a vision of full inclusion as a practical and moral goal. Inclusion, she argues, begins not with the assumption that students have to earn their way into the classroom with their behavior or skills, it begins with the right of every child to be in the mainstream of education, perhaps with modifications, adaptations, and support. Full inclusion requires teachers to think about all aspects of their classrooms--pedagogy, curriculum, and classroom climate.

Crucially, Sapon-Shevin takes on arguments against full inclusion in a section of straight-talking answers to common questions. She agrees with critics that the rhetoric of inclusion has been used to justify eliminating services and dumping students with significant educational needs unceremoniously back into the mainstream with little or no support. If full inclusion is properly implemented, however, she argues, it not only clearly benefits those traditionally excluded but enhances the educations and lives of those considered mainstream in myriad ways.

Through powerful storytelling and argument, Sapon-Shevin lays out the moral and educational case for not separating kids on the basis of difference.

Mara Sapon-Shevin is a professor in the Teaching and Leadership Program at Syracuse University. She teaches in the Inclusive Elementary and Special Education Teacher Education Program which provides teacher preparation for heterogeneous classrooms. Her areas of interest and expertise include full inclusion of students with disabilities, cooperative learning, teacher education and anti-racism, and diversity education. She is the author of many book chapters and articles related to these topics, and is a frequent presenter within the United States and abroad. She is active in teacher education reforms as well as school change projects throughout the country.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780807032800
ISBN 10	0807032808
Title	Widening the Circle
Author	Mara Sapon-Shevin
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Beacon Press
Year published	2007-03-15
Number of pages	280
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.