Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today's Schools » (6th Edition)

Through real-life stories about children, their families, and their teachers, and through the use of the most recent evidence-based research on special education, this important book provides students with a comprehensive introduction to special education and its relationship to general education. The sixth edition provides this experience within the framework of three guiding themes: Inclusion, Partnerships, and Universal Design for Learning.

Long noted for its focus on progress in general education through inclusion, families, and parent-professional partnerships, the new sixth edition of Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today's Schools, now includes a “Values and Outcomes” end-of-chapter feature that discuss the ideal educational outcomes for each student presented in the opening vignette - outcomes that can occur if teachers put highly effective, research-based strategies into practice and uphold the values addressed throughout the book.  In addition, the new edition has an in-depth focus on the IEP process with more coverage in chapter 2 and IEP margin notes integrated throughout each chapter to help inform teachers of their role in the IEP process in relation to chapter content.

Booknews

This text introduces concepts, people, and relationships important to special education, and features many real-life vignettes of special education students, families, and teachers. There is a focus on inclusion of disabled students in general education classrooms. After an overview of special education and a chapter on implementing IDEA, chapters cover various disabilities including behavioral disorders, autism, severe and multiple disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and blindness. There is also a chapter on giftedness. This edition contains new material on topics such as behavior management, assistive technology, and universal design, and an increased focus on collaboration. A Web site and video library are linked to the text. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)