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The purpose of this literature review was to describe research findings related to how teachers could support friendships in inclusive early childhood classrooms, with particular interests in friendship development for young children with disabilities. This literature review was conducted to examine the following two questions: (a) How are friendships between young children with and without disabilities defined and measured? and (b) What teaching strategies and intervention programs does research recommend to promote friendships between young children with and without disabilities? The following criteria were used to determine the inclusion of articles: studies included teachers, were conducted in inclusive early childhood classrooms in the United States, had measures for friendships, and were published in peer-reviewed journals between 1990 to 2018. A total of eight studies were identified. The results of this review demonstrated that across all studies there were several common characteristics (e.g. mutual liking, spending time together) in defining young children's friendships. The studies reviewed also included various methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations) to measure friendships and suggested effective strategies and intervention programs that teachers could use to support friendship development. However, results also showed that teachers did not readily use the evidence-based practices. Based on the results, implications for future research and practices are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited research regarding how Assessment for Learning (AfL) can support mainstream classrooms that have students with special needs. In current literature, it is assumed that AfL functions in similar ways across different contexts. Studies on how AfL practices can accommodate mainstream and special educational students in the same classroom are very limited. The present study sets out to investigate AfL practices in the context of mainstream classes that include high-functioning students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing specifically on questioning techniques and teacher feedback. Though these strategies are associated with positive learning outcomes, learners with ASD may face difficulty in engaging in such questioning and feedback dialogue because of various challenges (e.g., atypical attentional networks). This qualitative instrumental case study involved observing six mainstream teachers from five schools during lessons and separately interviewing the teachers and the students with ASD. The study found that these teachers used approaches that focused on three considerations: addressing the cognitive needs of students (e.g. precise and direct questions); their socio-emotional needs (e.g. affirmative feedback); and supporting structures (e.g. visual cues). The study expands our current limited understanding of AfL in inclusive classrooms and highlights the implications for classroom practice.

While the practice of inclusive education has recently been widely embraced as an ideal model for education, the acceptance of inclusive education practices has not translated into reality in most mainstream classrooms. Despite the fact that education policies in South Africa stipulate that all learners should be provided with the opportunities to participate as far as possible in all classroom activities, the implementation of inclusive education is still hampered by a combination of a lack of resources and the attitudes and actions of the teachers in the classroom. The main purpose of this paper was to develop a deeper understanding of a group of South African teachers' personal understanding about barriers to learning and how their understanding relates to their consequent actions to implement inclusive education in their classrooms. A qualitative research approach placed within a cultural-historical and bio-ecological theoretical framework was used. The findings, in this paper, indicate that the way in which teachers understand a diversity of learning needs is based on the training that they initially received as teachers, which focused on a deficit, individualised approach to barriers to learning and development, as well as contextual challenges, and that both have direct and substantial effects on teachers' classroom practices. As a result, they engage in practices in their classrooms that are less inclusive, by creating dual learning opportunities that are not sufficiently made available for everyone, with the result that every learner is not able to participate fully as an accepted member of their peer group in all classroom activities.

Copyright of Perspectiva Educacional is the property of Perspectiva Educacional and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article includes findings from a mixed method survey at a large, public midwestern university following the election of Donald J. Trump as the president of the United States. It examines student perceptions about effective engagement in political discourse within social work classes. Survey questions urged students to suggest how instructors might facilitate this dialogue fairly in the classroom given the passionate emotions and differing viewpoints surrounding the election, while acknowledging and educating about values espoused by the profession. Findings from this study illustrate the challenges that students face in having these conversations and outline their recommendations to social work educators for facilitating safe, sensitive, and inclusive classroom discussion about politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reasons underlying the social exclusion of children with intellectual or learning disabilities are not entirely understood. Although it is important to heed the voices of children on this issue, it is also important to consider the degree to which these ideas are informed. The present authors invited educators to evaluate the content of children's ideas on the causes of social exclusion. Method Educators thematically sorted and rated children's ideas on why classmates with intellectual or learning disabilities are socially excluded. Sorted data were analysed with multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. Results Six thematic clusters were identified differing in content to those provided by children in an earlier study. Educators generally rated children's ideas as showing somewhat uninformed ideas about why social exclusion occurs. Conclusions Educators indicated that children need to be better informed about intellectual and learning disabilities. Limitations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching mathematics in inclusive classrooms with students who are blind or visually impaired is seen as a rather difficult task by many teachers. Thus, there is a need for professional development programs. These should be soundly based in knowledge and theories from the fields of mathematics education, special education, and inclusive education. In addition, they have to match the needs of the teachers in practice. This article describes the results of a survey with teachers already working in such inclusive settings. Their reported needs and requirements can serve as a starting point for the design of professional development courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the role of the special assistant teacher (SAT) compared to the general teacher as English teacher (ET) through instructional interactions in helping slow learner students (SLS) in the English lesson. Twenty-three grade 9 students were observed; interviews were also conducted with the two teachers and several students using semistructured interview guides to determine types of instructional interactions and the role of SAT in helping SLS. Findings from this study indicated that both types of teachers engaged in academic and non-academic interaction with SLS during learning activities. In almost every learning activity, the role of the SAT to the SLS that, the SAT is more dominant than the ET in assisting the SLS. This dominance can lead to both dependence and independence of SLS toward SAT in learning activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents research into Canadian elementary and secondary teachers’ understandings of inclusion. The research investigates how a sample of 120 teachers in the southern part of Ontario defined inclusion, and the extent to which they believed an inclusive classroom is an effective way to teach all students. The article draws upon literature into how inclusion is currently defined followed by research into the politics of diversity in inclusive education; the latter signals the socio-political aporia which attends many understandings of inclusion. The study employs Nancy Fraser’s conception of justice as requiring redistribution, recognition, and representation; Fraser’s approach also demands attention to issues of recognition as intimately connected with concerns about social status. The findings reveal teachers’ relative lack of attention to issues of resourcing, but considerable emphasis upon issues of representation. While issues of recognition are largely valued, there is a tendency to reify categories of student identity, rather than challenging concerns about the lack of social status attending such foci. The research reveals a push ‘beyond the binary’ of considering teachers’ practices as either inclusive or exclusive, and how teachers’ engagement with resource provision, recognition of learners, and representation of student needs exists along contingent and intersecting spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The middle level classroom presents unique challenges to educators who strive to provide opportunities that acknowledge learner diversity in terms of social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development. This is confounded even further within inclusive middle-school classrooms where the responsibility to differentiate instruction is even more critical. One way to meet the needs ofallstudents is through cooperative grouping. Through cooperative grouping, middle-level educators can differentiate instruction and promote active learning by leveraging the naturally social nature of young adolescents. In this article, the authors present research on cooperative grouping as well as several considerations for effectively designing and implementing cooperative grouping for middle-level learners in an inclusive setting. Suggestions and examples with regard to group size, membership, group structure and roles, and classroom management and clear expectations are provided. Additionally, the four-clue group strategy is presented as a specific instructional method to support effective group learning experiences in the inclusive middle-level classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We examined instructional processes in classrooms where students with and without disabilities received mathematics instruction to understand the relationship among key instructional process variables and achievement as measured by interim and end-of-year summative assessments. Teachers (N = 78) completed instructional logs daily and administered easyCBM probes quarterly to 162 students with disabilities and 165 students without disabilities. Examination of instructional data indicated both groups of students had nearly equal opportunities to learn (OTLs) the same mathematics content, yet there were significant differences in these students’ mathematics achievement on interim and summative tests. Special education status and instructional practices were found to be significant predictors of achievement growth. Furthermore, grade level and special education status, along with OTL scores, accounted for significant variance in end-of-year mathematics scores. Discussion of results focuses on instructional practice implications and the role these practices play in achievement gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of TESL Canada Journal / Revue TESL du Canada is the property of TESL Canada Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is a burgeoning need to consider new ways of providing early educational services for young and often newly diagnosed children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Such children do not respond naturally to linear curricular delivery, normally utilized in inclusive classrooms that predominate public education, but rather need an educational model incorporating intra and interpersonal development skills. In addition, there is an urgent need for the ability of keeping track of and addressing uneven progress in specific areas; characteristic of learners with ASD. It is suggested that a new curricular model be designed that integrates the advantages of e-learning for data management and communication exchange with the inclusion classroom learning. A multi-disciplinary approach to the problem has lead to the proposal of an alternate model using an Intelligent Guided E-Learning System, which can be of benefit to such learners, their parents, and their teachers. This system utilizes a Knowledge Representation model that incorporates the complex multidisciplinary data related with ASD, along with curricular information as well as other Artificial Intelligence techniques that guide the curriculum in a simple and directed, yet evolving, manner such that the complexity increases as the learner with ASD's understanding progresses.

Inclusive education of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) has become a global trend. However, a considerable number of studies have shown that mere enrolment in mainstream classrooms is not enough to support the social participation of pupils with SEN. These children are at risk of experiencing difficulties in their involvement with peers at school. Thus, the question arises of how social participation can be fostered in mainstream classrooms. A systematic review of 35 studies was conducted to investigate which interventions are effective in inclusive mainstream preschool and elementary classrooms. Teaching interaction strategies to typically developing pupils, group activities in the academic context (cooperative learning and peer-tutoring), support groups for pupils with SEN, and training paraprofessionals to facilitate social interactions, were found to improve the social participation of pupils with SEN in general education classrooms. Nevertheless, there is need for more intervention studies implementing a variety of strategies and including different groups of pupils with SEN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-teaching is an instructional strategy that can be implemented by educators in several different ways. This paper considers how frequently co-teachers implement different approaches to co-teaching and what factors are associated with the implementation of these approaches. This study found that teachers most frequently reported implementing an approach to co-teaching in which one teacher designs and delivers a lesson and the other teacher provides individualised support to specific students with disabilities. The approach to co-teaching in which educators co-plan and co-instruct different components of the curricular content occurred the least frequently. The results of logistic regression analyses indicated that structural aspects of co-teaching (multiple years with co-teacher, time spent daily with co-teacher, number of current co-teachers), teacher attitudes, and professional development opportunities (pre-service and in-service) were associated with the use of different approaches to co-teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA) is identified as a researchbased approach used in many Western schools to support student behaviour. This study aimed to assist Thai classroom teachers by providing a professional development and learning programme in FBA to develop an effective and efficient process to address behaviour problems and allow students to reach their educational potential. Classroom teachers participated in the professional learning programme in FBA. Various data sources including staff interviews, rating scales, observational time samples and descriptive notes were utilised. In the investigation the majority of teachers included FBA practice in their classrooms during the study and employed more positive and preventative approaches to deal with the students. This study confirmed that the opportunity to learn and practice skills during professional development was essential in supporting teachers in the task of improving student outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is practice focus, advocating the imminent need to develop inclusive humanities of the digital for schools. It will trace the development of our SSHRC-funded SAGITTARIUS Literature Digitizing Project in the past seven years, especially the section on digitizing the works of George Bernard Shaw for schools in Canada. The project evolved through the digital humanities stage. Developed in collaboration with our industrial partner, the Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION), our scholarly partner the International Shaw Society and the Shaw Festival, and other strategic partners in teaching and learning, first, it went through the theoretical framework of big data as we digitized and amassed a huge amount of data. Next, making use of the strategies of e-publishing and e-learning, we prepared the data for schools in Canada in packages according to the play texts complete with textual and contextual materials. We discovered that an “inclusive humanities of the digital” is needed. Our pilot studies in school classrooms with tablet computers proved that we have to design curricular materials with the students and teachers in mind. Instead of focusing on texts, digitized curricular materials have to address the cultural contexts of the diverse students in the classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of TESL Canada Journal / Revue TESL du Canada is the property of TESL Canada Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Trans studies has usually been taught within gender studies and women's studies programs. Yet, as trans studies has become highly interdisciplinary, trans awareness is still an issue in many fields; thus, incorporating trans discussions in courses in multiple disciplines is imperative. This study demonstrates how the firsthand teaching experience of a student-centered, literary-theory-related undergraduate course unit given by the English department incorporated trans studies through fan fiction. Particularly, we utilized the theoretical concept of nonbinary genders and its resistance to the heteronormative and heteropatriarchal system via a study of Loki's gender fluidity in the Loki miniseries, some exemplary transgender fan fiction, and the Omegaverse. Fandoms and fan fiction can be valuable course materials to create a comfortable space for students from different backgrounds to actively engage, discuss, and think critically about trans topics and trans theories. In this sense, this course unit explores the possibility of teaching trans studies beyond gender studies classrooms as well as courses focusing primarily on trans studies, encouraging more students to understand trans concepts and become trans allies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important factors in the successful inclusion of students with specific learning difficulties in mainstream classrooms is the teacher. Despite strong support for inclusion, mainstream teachers still demonstrate mixed responses to the inclusion of certain students in the classrooms. Further, their attitudes towards inclusion seem to be formed during their initial training. The purpose of this research was to examine the attitudes of pre-service teachers towards students with specific learning difficulties by analyzing their attributional responses to hypothetical students. Participants included 205 pre-service teachers, and the results demonstrated that the pre-service teachers' attributional responses differed according to whether or not the hypothetical students had a specific learning difficulty. Their attributional responses were likely to have an unintended negative impact on students' attributions, self-efficacy and motivation. One implication of these findings is that pre-service teacher-training needs to include a focus on teachers' attitudes and behaviors in inclusive classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaffolding is an important tool for meeting the challenging needs of heterogeneous groups of students in inclusive classrooms. It is especially useful when supporting low achievers. A video study (funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Project Nr. 134652) of 36 inclusive classes, (3rd grade, aged 9 years), was conducted to examine how classroom teachers and special education teachers implemented a remedial mathematics program in a classroom setting. The program focused on the following facets of scaffolding: cognitive activation, stimulating discourse, handling errors productively, target orientation, and using manipulatives. The results show that 54 % of the teachers achieved a high competency for using manipulatives and target orientation, facets for which the program provided more detailed instructions. The teachers attained lower values for stimulating discourse, cognitive activation, and handling errors productively, where the program offered more general guidance. The special education teachers had lower rating scores than the classroom teachers, although the same scoring pattern as the teachers. This study shows that it is possible to encourage the use of scaffolding in inclusive classrooms. However, the disparate results for the different facets imply that scaffolding in classroom situations is a competency that cannot simply be adopted from a 'program', and more intensive teacher training programs seem to be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thailand is aiming to improve special education practices, and inclusive education has been introduced and mandated by national laws in the past few years. However, inclusive practices are challenging for many Thai teachers and schools. Many teachers are unprepared to support students with diverse needs and to deal with behavior problems. To successfully support such students, teachers need to apply systematic and effective approaches. Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is one such approach that may assist teachers in general classrooms. As FBA is a relatively new practice in Thailand, a contextualized approach is required. This article discusses several essential components in FBA implementation processes that need to be considered as well as an example of a research project that involved training Thai teachers in the use of FBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the practice of inclusive education has recently been widely embraced as an ideal model for education, the acceptance of inclusive education practices has not translated into reality in most mainstream classrooms. Despite the fact that education policies in South Africa stipulate that all learners should be provided with the opportunities to participate as far as possible in all classroom activities, the implementation of inclusive education is still hampered by a combination of a lack of resources and the attitudes and actions of the teachers in the classroom. The main purpose of this paper was to develop a deeper understanding of a group of South African teachers' personal understanding about barriers to learning and how their understanding relates to their consequent actions to implement inclusive education in their classrooms. A qualitative research approach placed within a cultural-historical and bio-ecological theoretical framework was used. The findings, in this paper, indicate that the way in which teachers understand a diversity of learning needs is based on the training that they initially received as teachers, which focused on a deficit, individualised approach to barriers to learning and development, as well as contextual challenges, and that both have direct and substantial effects on teachers' classroom practices. As a result, they engage in practices in their classrooms that are less inclusive, by creating dual learning opportunities that are not sufficiently made available for everyone, with the result that every learner is not able to participate fully as an accepted member of their peer group in all classroom activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on inquiry-based instruction in inclusive science teaching have mainly focused on elementary and middle school levels. Little is known about inquiry-based instruction in high school inclusive science classes. Yet, such classes have become the norm in high schools, fulfilling the instructional needs of students with mild disabilities. This study explores high school chemistry teachers' perceived benefits and challenges of inquiry-based instruction in inclusive chemistry classes. The study also seeks to establish chemistry teachers' knowledge of inclusive teaching. Participants in this study are 61 chemistry teachers in different school districts across the United States. A questionnaire is used to collect data. Results show that most teachers have no training in inclusive teaching, lacked knowledge of chemistry teaching in inclusive classes, and have moderate confidence in teaching chemistry in inclusive classes. However, most teachers acknowledge that inquiry instruction in inclusive chemistry classes has several benefits and challenges to students. On the other hand, teachers believe there are more challenges on inquiry-based instruction for them than for students in inclusive chemistry classes. Results have implications on science teaching and learning and teacher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What does the take-up of new technology have in common with the adoption of inclusive pedagogies to support students with additional needs in regular classrooms? Both are profound changes in the way we do things. Both are in response to changes in society. Both are championed by true believers and villainised by those more resistant to change. In this paper I consider why inclusive education has been so difficult to sell within schools, despite empirical evidence that is highly supportive of this practice. I review meta-analyses on the academic outcomes of students with disability in inclusive and segregated environments and discuss why the apparent benefits of this approach are not universally appreciated by Australian classroom teachers. I then compare the adoption of inclusive education with the uptake of innovative technology to develop an appreciation of what may be required for teachers to gain an understanding and commitment towards inclusive education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework as one way to understand how to support learners with severe disabilities and how to support their access to authentic and appropriate curricula that improves their quality of life. Two key ideas from the UDL framework, (a) understanding learner variability and (b) supporting the expert learner, are reviewed and used to address the education of learners with severe disabilities. By using the UDL framework to better understand how to support this population teachers can reform curricula in ways that will create greater and more inclusive options for all students. The article shows how UDL can be used to support reform for this population and how this will improve education for all learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher-student interactions in 17 inclusive classrooms were examined using a mixed-methods approach that involved quantitative analysis of interactions recorded during classroom observations and follow-up interviews with seven general educators. Observational findings suggest that classrooms were organised along traditional lines with the vast majority of interactions provided by general educators to the whole class, followed by brief intervals of 1 : 1 interactions directed towards individual students, most frequently children with disabilities. Interview findings suggest that teachers were aware of the greater individual attention devoted to students with disabilities and described a number of ways that they adapt their instruction that are consistent with the research on effective teaching. In addition, participants struggled with the dilemma of balancing their attention between students whom they perceived as needing it most and ensuring that the class as a whole made adequate progress. The analysis of both observational and interview data indicates that paraprofessionals were responsible for a large portion of instruction and curricular decision making for children with severe disabilities in these classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to illustrate how principles of the Delphi Method were used informally to evaluate and enrich a continuous professional learning (CPL) program. The program was developed to train classroom teachers to use music as support for diverse learners in an inclusive classroom. This paper explains the difference between the 'classical' Delphi method and the applied variant, and describes the method of the variant. As there is no known similar program, the first draft of the program was written by the researcher after a literature study. Experts were selected from different appropriate fields such as music education, inclusive education, creativity and materials development. An open-ended questionnaire was developed and e-mailed to experts, together with the first draft of the program. Responses were analyzed, categorized and incorporated into the program. Only one round was necessary. It can be concluded that this variant of the Delphi method was effective in ensuring that an innovative idea could be turned into a program and made available in a relatively short time to teachers in an enriched, practical format of good quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative teaching is a widely used method of including and supporting students with disabilities to provide all students equal access to education. Yet, there is a dearth of research on its implementation and outcomes, and the few existing studies are limited to academic and testing outcomes. This study assesses the degree to which schools are implementing co-teaching practices and the relation between co-teaching and student psychosocial outcomes using a mixed method design. Data from 12 schools, which included 16 school leaders and staff, 13 teachers, and 56 students with disabilities, were examined. Schools achieved 0–75% of the co-teaching best-practices criteria, with the majority achieving 25%–50% of the criteria. Higher levels of teacher-reported co-teaching were related to higher levels of student-reported school belonging, school satisfaction, and self-efficacy for new experiences. The benefits and challenges of co-teaching, as well as implications for intervention and research are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The question of inclusive education is not straightforward. Despite all its good intentions, inclusive education, in practice faces numerous challenges today. This study analyses these challenges in the Swedish special education context. The author explores special educators' experiences, possibilities and challenges when applying inclusive education. Findings reveal positive attitudes to the concept of inclusive classrooms. Nevertheless, teachers face more than a few grey areas that need to be put in place in order to achieve socially and cognitively inclusive classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even when enrolled in general education classes, students with complex communication challenges may remain socially isolated from their classmates when receiving one- to-one paraprofessional support. We evaluated the efficacy and social validity of an intervention package incorporating paraprofessional facilitation, peer initiation, and increased availability of speech-generating devices (SGDs) for early adolescents with disabilities attending inclusive classrooms. Two students with an intellectual disability, their parents, peers without disabilities, paraprofessionals, and classroom teachers participated in this study. We used a multiple baseline design across participants and classrooms to evaluate the intervention package's impact on social interaction among students with and without disabilities. In addition, we conducted individual interviews to explore the acceptability of the multicomponent package. Following the intervention, students' interactions with peers increased in three classrooms and SGD use increased in all four classrooms. Participants perceived the intervention to be important, appropriate, and beneficial. We discuss implications and recommendations for improving the social participation of students with complex communication challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-teaching is a widely implemented instructional strategy that poses unique challenges to teachers and may require targeted training. This study considers the role of pre-service and in-service professional development opportunities regarding co-teaching and teacher confidence, interests, and attitudes regarding co-teaching in a sample of general education and special education teachers. After controlling for key teacher demographics, professional development opportunities around co-teaching were positively associated with each teacher outcome. Teachers with more frequent in-service opportunities in co-teaching were more confident in their co-teaching practice and demonstrated higher levels of interest and more positive attitudes about co-teaching than did those teachers with less frequent in-service opportunities. Pre-service training on co-teaching was also positively associated with teacher confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses how teachers can increase the effectiveness of homework assignments for all learners. Homework, when designed and implemented properly, is a valuable tool for reinforcing learning. This essay provides a summary of educational research on homework, discusses the elements of effective homework, and suggests practical classroom applications for teachers. The synthesis of these three areas is intended to supplement the literature on homework in order to help preprofessional and current teachers increase the effectiveness of homework and employ best practices in inclusive classroom settings. With the increasing number of students with special needs included in general education settings and the increasing pressure placed on students to make academic gains on standardized tests, it is more important than ever that teachers are equipped with the tools necessary to effectively use homework as a learning tool for all students regardless of their ability levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the light of educational reforms aimed at promoting greater inclusive policies and practices, it is important to put a more pronounced emphasis on the needs of English language learners ( ELLs) with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Simultaneously, a focus should also be placed on understanding and dealing with the disproportional representation of English language learners in special education categories. This dual and arguably sometimes mutually reinforcing phenomenon, along with its potential implications for education policy and practice, needs to be discussed against a convergent analytical framework drawn from bilingual and special education. The cross-fertilisation of these disciplinary fields can provide a multimodal and comprehensive approach to meeting the intersectional needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students with special educational needs. To this end, it is important that issues of culture and language should become indispensable aspects of the special education knowledge base in inclusive classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how a preschool writing community in an inclusive classroom provided the space for children to enact a critical literacy stance when they reconceptualized jail from being a place where 'bad' people are taken to a place that people are sometimes placed because they perform acts of social justice. This case study highlights how conversations that are authentic and meaningful to children can be utilized by other children with different perspectives to scaffold each other's learning. Structuring classroom environments to be inclusive allows students to bring their strengths to an activity while supporting new learning for others in their community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper outlines concerns for inclusive classrooms involving personal digital image modifications and selections, as well as avatar configurations. Classroom interactions incorporate various dimensions of personal appearance; however, educators try to make them primarily about knowledge and wisdom. Students in environments where they can interact with each other face-to-face are constantly immersed in issues involving their exterior manifestations. However, the utilisations of digital media in the classroom and in the online delivery of instruction are providing new ways of manipulating the digitised images of individuals, as well as their characteristic patterns of speech and motion. The rising popularity of avatars in education (such as in Second Life) also provides a new spectrum of representational choices. Individuals who reconstitute their images so as to appear more 'normal' may achieve results that are more problematic than liberating, however. Fostering the development of manipulated images and avatars for the purposes of educational interaction can also be construed as an attempt to 'erase' stigma and in effect disempower individuals, especially those with disabilities. Likewise, image modification can be incorporated into bullying initiatives as part of efforts to ridicule and marginalise. In endeavours to mitigate these problems, faculty and staff can model the creative and empowering use of digital image and avatar technologies while celebrating (and not eradicating) their own idiosyncratic personal characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]