Education For All

Education for All offers an important resource for educators and parents who teach and support the more than 6.5 million students with disabilities. The book includes contributions from some of the most respected special and general education professionals including Mary Falvey, Diane Haager, Robert Rueda, and Janette Klingner. They address the important overarching issues in the field and focus on topics that are relevant to students no matter what their individual disability. Topics include:

• Working collaboratively with families as partners
• Including students with disabilities in general education settings
• Providing appropriate instructional practices for struggling learners
• Reducing the disproportionate representation of minorities in special education programs
• Establishing early intervention in K-12 settings
• Implementing special education law for the benefit of all children and families

Foreword by Michael M. Gerber ix

Acknowledgments xiii

The Editors xv

The Contributors xvii

Introduction xxiii

1. The Promise and Practice of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1
Nancy E. Huerta
From the Field: Reflecting on the Realities of Implementing Special Education Law, Marlene Canter

2. The Evolving Relationship Between Families of Children with Disabilities and Professionals 35
Elizabeth J. Erwin, Leslie C. Soodak
From the Field: Gabriel’s Journey—Never Quite Finished, Virginia M. Victorín

3. Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in General Education 71
Holly Menzies, Mary A. Falvey
From the Field: A Personal and Professional Journey with Inclusion, Robert W. Farran

4. Gaining Access to the Schoolhouse 101
Richard Cohen, with Terese C. Jiménez
From the Field: Accessing the Schoolhouse for Richard, Sandra Rentería

5. Reducing Disproportionate Representation in Special Education: Overview, Explanations, and Solutions 131
Robert Rueda, Janette Klingner, Nicole Sager, Alejandra Velasco
From the Field: Reflections on Disproportionality, Alnita Rettig Dunn

6. Early Intervention for Students in General Education: Promoting Academic Achievement for All 167
Diane Haager
From the Field: Addressing the Challenges of Early Intervention, Jo Ann Isken, with Terese C. Jiménez

7. Differentiated Instruction: Legislative Support and Classroom Practices 195
Tanya Santangelo, Greg Knotts, Katharine W. Clemmer, Marianne Mitchell
From the Field: Benefits and Challenges of Differentiated Instruction, Savina Woodyard

8. Transition Services and Education for All 241
Ernest Rose
From the Field: Supporting the Transition of Individuals with Disabilities, Gina Semenza

9. Personal Experiences with Disability and Special Education 267
Discovering the Real Me, Sue Rubin
A Lifelong Journey, Olegario D. Cantos VII
From Instinct to Intellect, Janeen Steel
From the Field: Building Academics, Leadership, and Community, Sandi Drinkward

Appendix: Discussion Questions 317

References 327

Index 351

Terese C. Jiménez, Ph.D., is assistant professor of special education at Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her doctoral work, Jiménez taught as a bilingual resource specialist in a predominantly low-income, Latino community within the Los Angeles area.

Victoria L. Graf, Ph.D., is professor of education and director of the special education program at Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her work at LMU, Graf taught students with learning disabilities, autism, mild mental retardation, and emotional disturbance.
In November 2005 Jiménez and Graf co-organized the Education for All conference in Los Angeles, which drew approximately 2,000 educationprofessionals.

PRAISE FOR EDUCATION FOR ALL

"This book, Education for All, represents a rich resource for 'every educator'. . . . This talented group of educators, advocates, parents, and researchers have provided schools and teachers opportunities to enhance their tool kits to do just that—help all students be successful."
—Alice D. Parker, Ed.D., executive director, Innovation and Dissemination for Special Education, Aspire Public Schools

"Education for All delivers knowledge both regular education and special education teachers need to know, and what advocates, administrators, university professors, legal representatives, and lawmakers should know."
—Carol Dinsdale, Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year 2005

"This book provides diverse perspectives on the evolution of special education policy and practice over the past forty years from professionals, parents, and individuals with disabilities. It will be a helpful supplemental text in a variety of courses preparing professionals involved in the education of individuals with disabilities."
—Fred Weintraub, education consultant and former assistant executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children

"This book demonstrates that the once- unimaginable—education for all children with disabilities—has been realized. It also shows that there is still more to be imagined."
—Rud Turnbull, Distinguished Professor of Special Education and Life Span Studies, and co-founder and director, Beach Center on Disability, the University of Kansas

"Jiménez, Graf, and the impressive list of public and higher education experts assembled for this volume effectively capture the history, scope, and impact of a law that has driven special education practice for more than three decades."
—Michael L. Hardman, Ph.D., dean, College of Education, University of Utah

"Unlike other academic books Education for All includes the voices of families, individuals with disabilities, and practitioners who truly live the implementation of special education policy, research, and practice. This is a must-read for anyone involved in the education of individuals with disabilities and their families—academicians, family members, persons with disabilities, advocates, and teachers." —Irene Martinez, executive director, Fiesta Educativa, Inc.