Leadership for Inclusive Schools: Cases from Principals for Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs - Paperback

by Steven Ray Sider (Author), Kimberly Maich (Author)

This book supports the professional learning of school principals, and those who aspire to be such, in development of their skills and knowledge around fostering inclusive schools for students with special education needs. The book includes 27 case stories that are based on research with school principals. Each case includes expert commentaries and resources to support principals and emerging leaders as they consider how to effectively support students with special education needs in inclusive schools. Its premise is based on the recognition that there are increasing numbers of students with disabilities and special education needs in neighbourhood schools. Principals need to develop new competencies to navigate the challenges, and benefits, of including students with special education needs into inclusive classroom settings. The book provides opportunities to build leadership competencies by considering a diversity of cases related to inclusive leadership. The cases in the book are divided among nine sections addressing the following areas: transitions, early years, elementary school cases, secondary school cases, community supports, school board/district supports, school teams, complex cases, and cases specific to new teachers. Seven cross-cutting themes are addressed in these cases including: communication, parents/caregivers, agency/efficacy, collaboration, relationships/trust, legal, and advocacy.

Author Biography

Steve Sider is a former school administrator and current university faculty member who researches inclusive education and school leadership. He directs the Centre for Leading Research in Education and has held six national research grants exploring how school principals' leadership competencies are nurtured. Kimberly Maich is a current university professor, psychologist, and behavior analyst, as well as a former autism consultant to schools, vice principal, resource teacher, and guidance counselor in charge of special service.