Education that Fits: Review of International Trends in the Education of Students with Special Education Needs

Mitchell, D. 2010 Wellington: Ministry of Education. Education that Fits: Review of International Trends in the Education of Students with Special Education Needs

Mitchell, D. (2010). Education that Fits: Review of International Trends in the Education of Students with Special Education Needs. Wellington: Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education commissioned this extensive review of international trends to inform the 2010 Review of Special Education. Mitchell's review provides valuable evidence to inform decision-making. The topics covered are:

  • paradigms of special educational needs
  • definitions, categorisation and terminology
  • disproportionality in special education
  • response to intervention and graduated response
  • educational contexts
  • funding and resourcing
  • curriculum
  • assessment
  • evidence-based pedagogy
  • inclusive education
  • non-inclusive educational settings
  • teacher education
  • collaboration
  • parent involvement
  • universal design for learning.

In his 2007 book What Really Works in Special and Inclusive Education, David Mitchell provides practical guidelines for the implementation of 24 teaching strategies, including:

  • strategies for arranging the context of learning, such as inclusive education, cooperative group teaching and the classroom climate
  • cognitive strategies, including self-regulated learning, memory enhancement and cognitive behavioural therapy
  • behavioural strategies, addressing issues of functional assessment and direct instruction
  • formative assessment and feedback
  • assistive technology and opportunities to learn.

You can find a review of Mitchell's book here.

Mitchell, D. (2007). What Really Works in Special and Inclusive Education: Using Evidence-based Teaching Strategies. Abingdon, England: Routledge.

Relevance Resources for further learning Resources for taking action Resources for learning about other people's stories
Inquiry and knowledge-building
Leading change
Understanding autism spectrum disorder
Understanding inclusion Y
Effective schools Y
Special education and ASD in NZ school settings
Audit
Building inclusive school cultures Y Y
Producing inclusive school policies Y
Evolving inclusive practices Y Y
Managing transitions
Specific issues for secondary schools

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