Educational Inclusion as Action Research: An Interpretive Discourse (Inclusive Education)

“One of the most accessible features of the book is the incorporation of vignettes of real-life action research enquiries, and in some cases, drawing on the field notes an journals kept by the teachers themselves. There is much to welcome in this book… There is an engaging honesty of tone… an abiding sense of authenticity in the author’s voice; this is writing which comes out of long professional experience of teaching pupils with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour, and equal experience of facilitating action research enquiries in her practice as a teacher educator.” European Journal of Special Needs Education

In its detailed elaboration of action research as a basis for teacher professional development this book locates inclusive practice in a discursive process that continually interprets its meaning while at the same time inevitably changes educational cultures. The book starts by linking government policy with social justice and inclusion issues and argues that inclusion is currently promoted via a democratic political process, which needs to be complemented at a professional level through the demonstration of democratic and inclusive procedures in the investigatory process itself.

The text argues for:
* action research as a means of implementing and evaluating inclusive practice in classrooms and schools
* action research as an interpretive and discursive process
* inclusion related to specific educational contexts
* inclusion as responsive to change and improvement at any level

This book is ideal for postgraduate students, teachers and educational professionals who need a basis for developing inclusive practice.

Christine O'Hanlon is an Honorary Reader in the Centre for Applied Research in Education(CARE), School of Education and Professional Development at the University of East Anglia. She was previously a senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham and the University of Ulster. She has an international reputation for her involvement in education initiatives and research projects since the mid-eighties and her associated writing about policy and practice in 'inclusion' and 'special educational needs.' Her publications also develop ideas related to action research, which she uses as a means of professional development in education, from Certificate and Diploma level to PhD.