June 2023 MBR The Education Shelf

The Education Shelf

The Way to Inclusion
Julie Causton, et al.
ASCD
www.ascd.org
9781416631804, $30.95, PB, 137pp

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Inclusion-Leaders-Schools-Student/dp/1416631801

Synopsis: The research is clear: Including students with disabilities in general education classrooms is the most effective way for all students (able and disabled) to learn.

With the publication of "The Way to Inclusion: How Leaders Create Schools Where Every Student Belongs " by the team of educators and inclusion experts Julie Causton, Kate MacLeod, Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, Jenna Mancini Rufo, and Paul Gordon is an invaluable guide for for those charged with the responsibility of educator leadership..

A compendium of research, resources, and seasoned advice, "The Way to Inclusion" takes the reader, step-by-step, through the inclusivity change process, from envisioning a path to reimagining the roles of existing staff and everything in between. "The Way to Inclusion" also outlines seven clearly defined milestones tied to an Action Plan that will help the reader to stay the course with so vital an initiative.

In addition to milestones and leadership questions, "The Way to Inclusion" offers: Instructions for conducting an equity review of your system with a focus on special education; Guidance for creating and analyzing service-delivery maps, including before-and-after examples from systems that have successfully shifted to greater inclusivity; Classroom observation and staff survey tools; First-person accounts from educators who have undergone the change process; Best practices for developing an inclusivity-focused vision statement; Downloadable forms and templates to help you move forward with implementation.

Critique: Segregating students with disabilities from the rest of the student body is simply not necessary. A strongly recommended and core addition to personal, professional, school district, college, and university library Special Education Integration collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, "The Way to Inclusion: How Leaders Create Schools Where Every Student Belongs" is an exceptionally 'user friendly' and indispensable guide for making certain that all students in a school system will not only learn but also thrive in the least restrictive environment possible.

Editorial Note #1: Dr. Jenna Mancini Rufo is an experienced public-school leader turned inclusive education consultant. She is the founder and owner of empowerED School Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in equity and inclusion. Having served as an assistant superintendent, director of special education, state policy specialist, special education teacher, and inclusion facilitator, Jenna has practical experience in leading systems change for inclusion. She has shared her knowledge at numerous events, including The Atlantic's Education Summit, and recently launched a blog and video series. Jenna was inspired to enter the field of education by her sister, Nina, who has multiple disabilities. She views education as her calling and is passionate about providing high-quality programs for all students.

Editorial Note #2: Dr. Paul Gordon has spent much of his education career working for the Adams 12 Five Star School District outside Denver, Colorado, where he served as a classroom teacher, a middle school principal, the director of professional development, and the chief academic officer. During the last 10 years, Paul has served as the superintendent of three school districts. Early in his career, he worked with students with significant reading challenges, which forged his path toward creating inclusive environments for each student and understanding the impact this has on the overall system. As a practitioner, Paul continues to learn from students, teachers, parents, and others working in inclusive classrooms about the challenges and the incredible opportunities that inclusion offers each student.

The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education
Jen Neitzel, author
Ebonyse Mead, author
Brookes Publishing Company
www.brookespublishing.com
9781681257204, $39.95, PB, 200pp

https://products.brookespublishing.com/The-Handbook-of-Racial-Equity-in-Early-Childhood-Education-P1470.aspx

Synopsis: The goal of every early educator is to prepare all students for school success -- but for young Black children, entrenched biases and racial inequities have created an achievement gap that must be closed. Now with the publication of "The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education", educators can transform their practices and work for systemic change with the help of a visionary guidebook presenting a comprehensive roadmap to promoting racial equity in early childhood education.

The only handbook of its kind that takes a rigorous, in depth look at the historical roots of racial bias, "The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education" goes beyond band aid approaches to equity and prioritizes real transformation and healing: of adults, communities, programs, systems, and children. Grounded in research but focused on action, this empowering guide offers both deep foundational knowledge and practical classroom strategies that promote better outcomes for Black children and families.

Of special note are the contributions from voices of experience (influential scholars, teachers, and parents) offering authentic perspectives on the impact of racism and the importance of anti racist practices.

Critique: Timely given the present attempts in many parts of the country to eliminate information about Black American History, Personalities, Historical and Current Racism from elementary school curriculums, "The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education" must be recognized as essential reading for classroom educators, school administrators, and schoolboard/governmental policymakers working toward equity and justice. Simply stated, "The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education" will materially help early childhood professionals to fight back and dismantle racially based inequitable systems and ensure high quality learning experiences for every child regarding their racial identity and the genuine history of African-Americans. While an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to school district, college, and university library Early Childhood Education collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Handbook of Racial Equity in Early Childhood Education" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $28.99.

That Behaviour Book
Stephen Baker
Crown House Publishing
www.crownhousepublishing.com
9781785836688, $28.95, PB, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/That-Behaviour-Book-teaching-children/dp/1785836684

Synopsis: What kind of teacher are you? What values, beliefs and principles do successful teachers have and how do they sustain these in the face of challenging pupil behaviour?

In this timely book, Stephen Baker contends that rigid punishment systems weaponize young people's defiance against them and that punishment doesn't work. He believes that teachers need to take responsibility for behaviour and to lead it, not just 'manage' it, that we need to love the kids (even if we don't like them), that children are people, that we are an event in their lives, and that teaching is a relationship-based activity.

With each chapter followed by engaging 'takeaway tasks', That Behaviour Book will allow teachers to rapidly improve both their practice and their relationships with pupils and classes. The book looks at the values that will sustain you as a teacher, how routines will help you teach better and what 'positive expectations' really mean, making child-centred relational practice easy to apply in the classroom. Teachers will have a more realistic appreciation of their own situation and of the context in which they teach. In short, this book will help teachers learn how to get the very best out of their pupils.

"That Behaviour Book" is an essential guide for both the beginner and the more experienced classroom teacher. Its unique tone makes it an indispensable companion for the busy teacher, providing a sense of connection, challenge and reassurance all at once. Stephen Baker's anecdotes, drawn from his years as a pupil, teacher and trainer pack an emotional punch and are often hilarious.

Critique: Expertly written and presented by educator and consultant Stephen Baker, "That Behaviour Book: The simple truth about teaching children" is essential and instructive reading for every classroom teacher. Providing a wealth of engaging, illustrative, and unique mix of anecdotes, practical strategies and moral imperatives for successful and child-centered behavior management in an education setting, "That Behaviour Book" is a solid and recommended pick for personal, professional, school district, and academic library Educational Instruction and Child Management collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that it is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.75).

Editorial Note: Stephen Baker (https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/stephen-baker) spent 17 years in teaching, before working with local authorities and for the National Strategies as a regional adviser in Yorkshire and the Humber. He is now a behavior consultant and trainer, passionate about helping teachers to succeed.

Transforming Social Work Field Education
Julie L. Drolet, et al.
LCR Publishing Services
c/o University of Calgary Press
https://press.ucalgary.ca
9781773854380, $94.99, HC, 408pp

https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Social-Work-Field-Education/dp/1773854380

Synopsis: Social work field education in Canada is in crisis. New understanding and approaches are urgently needed. Innovative and sustainable models need to be explored and adopted. As professionals, social workers are expected to use research to inform their practice and to contribute to the production of research. Yet many social workers are reluctant to integrate research into their practice and into field education.

Collaborative compiled and co-edited by the team of Julie L. Drolet, Grant Charles, Sheri M. McConnell, and Marion Bogo,"Transforming Social Work Field Education: New Insights from Practice Research and Scholarship" encourages the adoption of research and scholarship into the practice of social work, especially field education. It offers current theoretical concepts and perspectives that shape social work field education and provides case studies of practice research grounded in the experiences of diverse communities and countries. Highlighting cutting-edge research and scholarship, each chapter addresses critical issues in social work practice and their implications for field education.

Bringing together scholars at various stages of their careers, "Transforming Social Work Field Education" fosters a meaningful dialogue on the dynamic, complex, and multi-faceted nature of social work practice, research, and innovation in the critical area of field education. A vivid and original work, "Transforming Social Work Field Education" stimulates interest and discussion on the integration of research and scholarship in social work field education in Canada and around the world.

Critique: A seminal and groundbreaking body of work, "Transforming Social Work Field Education: New Insights from Practice Research and Scholarship" is informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of Figures, Tabes, and Introduction (Field Research Scholarship in Social Work Education), a Conclusion by Sherri McConnell, Julie Drolet, and Grant Charles, a ten page listing of the contributors and their credentials, and a thirteen page Index. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, active social workers, and social work supervisors/trainers that "Transforming Social Work Field Education" is also available in a paperback edition (9781773854397, $44.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.55).

Editorial Note: The contributors include: Wasif Ali, Helen Asrate Awoke, Kelemua Zenebe Ayele, Afework Eyasu Aynalem, Nicole Balbuena, Morgan Jean Banister, Natalie Beck Aguilera, Sheila Bell, Heather M. Boynton, Janice Chaplin Mailing, Emmanuel Chinlanga, Jill Ciesielski, Alise de Bie, Emma De Vynck, Cyerra Gage, Anita R. Gooding, Zipporah Greenslade, Annelise Hutchinson, Christine Anne Jenkins, Vibha Kausik, Ermias Kebede, Edward King, Kaltrina Kusari, William Lamar Medley, Karen Lok Yi Wong, Alexandra Katherine Mack, The Ottawa Adult Autism Initiative, Endalkachew Taye Shiferaw, Richardio Diego Suarez Rojas, Margaret Janse van Rensburg, Jennie Vengris, and Courtney Larissa Weaver.

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