Condition Critical—Key Principles for Equitable and Inclusive Education

This important book provides a unique merging of disability studies, critical multiculturalism, and social justice advocacy to develop both the knowledge base and the essential insights for implementing fully inclusive education. The authors expand the definition of inclusion to include students with a broad range of traditionally marginalized differences (including but not limited to disabilities, cultural/linguistic/racial background, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and class). Chapters provide 12 key principles important to developing a critical perspective toward educating diverse students.

Book Features:

• Personal stories that make concepts accessible to new and pre-service teachers.
• Application exercises ideal for courses and professional development workshops.
• Highlight boxes that raise additional questions for discussion and debate.
• Interactive, multimodal instructional activities to use with many kinds of learners.
• Additional activities and resources available online at www.tcpress.com.

Introduction: Critical Pedagogies, Inclusive Schooling, and Social Justice

Diana Lawrence-Brown

Part I. Understanding and Envisioning Inclusive Education

1.;How We Respond to Differences—And The Difference it Makes

Mara Sapon-Shevin

2.;Understanding Critical Perspectives—Who Benefits?

Diana Lawrence-Brown

3.;Multiple Identities, Shifting Landscapes

Janet Sauer

4.;The Social Construction of Difference

Graciela Slesaransky-Poe and Ana Maria García

5.;Same Struggle, Different Difference: Linking Liberation Movements

Mara Sapon-Shevin

6.;Evaluating Assumptions; Examining Evidence

Diana Lawrence-Brown

Part II: Enacting Inclusive Education

7.;Building Inclusive Communities

Stacey N. Skoning & Kathryn Henn-Reinke

8.;The Art of Inclusive Teaching:

Developing a Palette to Reach All Learners

David J. Connor & Subini A. Annamma

9.;Considering Behavior as Meaningful Communication

Robin M. Smith

10.;We Are What We Assess:

How Schools Construct and Shape Identity and Performance

Elizabeth B. Kozleski & Laura Atkinson

11.;Fostering Self-Determination Through Culturally Responsive Teaching

JoDell Heroux, Susan Peters, & Maryl Randel

12.;Advocating for Successful School Change

Valerie Owen, Kathleen Kotel, Julie Ramirez, Virginia Zeitlin, Elizabeth Dejewski, & David Feingold

Conclusion: Examining Perspectives on Inclusive Education

Diana Lawrence-Brown & Mara Sapon-Shevin

Diana Lawrence-Brown is associate professor of differentiated instruction at St. Bonaventure University. Mara Sapon-Shevin is professor of inclusive education at Syracuse University

“Teacher educators will be thrilled to find complicated principles of equity and inclusion analyzed and explained in ways students will find not only insightful but enjoyable to read.”
—William A. Howe, past-president, National Association for Multicultural Education

“A powerful call to challenge rigid school practices that attempt to sort and level students. This extremely clear guide helps us move from critique to action, interweaving difficult matters of income disparity, language and religious marginalization, racism, and gender expression and identity. The authors inspire us to engage in the hard work of justice- and equity-oriented pedagogy and to do so collectively, with humor and with passion.”
—Celia Oyler, professor of education, Teachers College, Columbia University

“Condition Critical offers a critical framework for valuing and responding to student differences grounded in an expansive view of social justice, equity, access, and excellence. Accessible and engaging, each chapter skillfully weaves together first-person narratives, opportunities for self-reflection, and practical examples of key classroom practices. The result is a thoughtful and inspiring book that does more than critique the status quo; it points the way to transforming classrooms and schools for all.”
—Beth A. Ferri, associate professor, School of Education, Syracuse University

“In this comprehensive and important book, inclusion is firmly and unapologetically situated in the context of social justice—a crucial orientation often missing in how-to books. The authors encourage us to remember our roots and rekindle a movement based on civil rights.”
—Emma Van der Klift and Norman Kunc, co-directors, the Broadreach Training Centre, New Westminster, BC

Related Resources