Contemporary Special Education: Shaped by Social, Philosophical, and Political Forces

Abstract

Reviews the book, From integration to inclusion: A history of special education in the 20th century by M. Winzer (2009). Margret Winzer describes the evolution of special education within a changing 20th century America. She notes that America's entry into World War II drew adults with disabilities into the war effort. Their contributions elicited curricular revisions to teach special education students more than fundamental skills and manual training. This text describes the educational history of the range of students served within special education, but readers will appreciate the sections that specifically address the education of deaf individuals, the only so-called disabled group to form into a discrete, identifiable, and politically viable cultural group. This would be an excellent text for those teaching a course on the history of special education to upper division undergraduate or graduate students. Winzer helps readers see that historical knowledge of special education will deepen our understanding and ability to critically evaluate current challenges and approaches to educating special students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)