Chapter 1: Introduction

Lani Florian

Introduction There are many stories that could be told about special education and the account in this Handbook is but one. This story explores special education as a response to notions of human difference. In addition it explores the contribution that different understandings of this response make, not only to theory, but also to practical knowledge. In other words, how do we know when, why and how to respond when students experience difficulties in learning? For many years scholarship in the field of special education has sought to develop this knowledge, and it has been influenced by competing ideas about what constitutes a special educational need and how pupils who experience difficulty in learning might be taught. The Handbook attempts to present a range of perspectives about the nature and purpose of special education as well as what might be considered an appropriate response to disability or other difficulties, This ...

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