Inclusion

Intended for parents, general and special education teachers, Inclusion: The Dream and the Reality in Special Education is a book about laws and practices that impact the inclusion of students with disabilities in public schools. Each chapter illustrates a child who presents a challenging problem. The book presents inclusion issues through compelling stories. People rarely change their attitude based on facts. Stories can change the way we think and feel about issues. Written by a college professor, teacher candidates find these experiences hilarious or tragic, but always illuminating. As new teachers they must be prepared to confront the important challenge in our schools- reaching every single student, black, white, indifferent or frightened. This is the secret strength and wonder of the American educational system.

Inclusion is a significant contribution to our current knowledge about providing educational opportunities for children with differing abilities. Jeanne D’Haem candidly discusses current practices based on case histories as well as the history of the inclusion movement. We obtain a first- hand view of the teaching methods that are working in our schools today. Parents, teachers, administrators and others that work with children will find a wealth of practical information to help students achieve their rightful place in the community., Dr. Jeanne D’Haem has taken a sensitive and challenging subject and made it enchanting. She is a wonderful story teller, and this is a story that needs to be told until ALL children, no matter what their differences, are educated together., Jeanne’s experiences as a special education teacher and supervisor are up-close and personal.  She provides the reader with compassionate and, at times, humorous authentic accounts of misunderstood and misdiagnosed children and young adults with special needs.  She reminds the reader of the evolution of laws protecting this vulnerable population, dating back to the Magna Carta through ADA and IDEA, and how these laws can be easily compromised. An important book for teachers and anyone interested in advocating for the rights and respect of persons with special needs.  , Inclusion is a valuable tool for students studying education. Readers will marvel at the pioneers, like D’Haem, who fought and finessed for small advances leading to monumental changes in the lives of those with disabilities. D’Haem weaves the wisdom of her experiences into stories that define the times and celebrate the triumphs of educators and children with special needs. It is eye opening to read about the progress of inclusion in education!

Jeanne D'Haem, is associate professor of Special Education at William Paterson University in New Jersey. She was a special education teacher and a director of special services for over thirty years.