Psychology for Inclusive Education: New Directions in Theory and Practice

What can psychology offer inclusive education? Traditionally, special education has looked to psychology for many of its theoretical resources and practical strategies. While those seeking to promote more inclusive education have tended to see psychology and psychologists as part of the problem by providing a rationale for segregation. However, in practice many psychologists today are developing inclusive ways of working, and are paying attention to psychological theories that underpin inclusive education.

Psychology for Inclusive Education reframes the contribution of psychology in terms of its relevance to inclusion and will show how psychological theories of learning and human development are compatible with inclusive education. Part 1 explores psychological theories relevant to understanding inclusive education and Part 2 looks at how psychology can contribute to promoting more inclusive education in practice. Chapters cover:

• how psychologists can collaborate with teachers for inclusive solutions

• Vygotsky's theories of learning and their significance for inclusion

• the challenge of developing pedagogies for inclusion

• sociocultural understandings of learning in inclusive classrooms

• the role of emotion in learning and inclusion

• cooperative learning and inclusion

• the challenges and tensions of inclusion and high standards for schools

• the practice of dynamic assessment as an inclusive alternative to IQ

• social justice and inclusive psychology

Bringing together a highly distinguished list of international contributors from the UK, USA and South Africa and including practising educational psychologists, this book will link theory to practice in schools and classrooms. International in focus and at the very cutting edge of the field, this is essential reading for all those interested in the development of inclusive education.

Peter Hick is Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has lectured at the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, the Open University and the University of Bolton; his professional background is as an Educational Psychologist and a teacher in a further education college. His research interests currently focus on inclusive learning mediated with ICT; and on race, ethnicity and disproportionality in the identification of special educational needs.

Ruth Kershner is a lecturer in psychology of education in the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education. She has particular interests in the areas of teaching children identified with learning difficulties, the development of teachers' pedagogical knowledge through school-based research, and the uses of technology such as interactive whiteboards in the primary classroom environment. She is currently an Associate Director of the Primary Review (directed by Professor Robin Alexander, 2006-8), an independently funded review of primary education in England.

Peter T. Farrell is Sarah Fielden Professor of Special Needs and Educational Psychology in the School of Education, University of Manchester, England and Past President of the International School Psychology Association. He has carried out a number of research projects in the field of inclusive education and has published widely in this area. Much of the focus of this work has been on the contribution educational psychologists can make towards promoting inclusive practice.