Contributions from: Stanley C Trent - The University of Virginia, USA
Abstract
As a result of demographic changes in the US, educators at all levels and in all roles are confronting the racism which they have largely ignored and which has hounded them for centuries. This challenge of building a society which is inclusive of racial diversity is of particular relevance to the US special education system, in which there has been intense controversy regarding the disproportionate representation of minority ethnic students. A significant change in the current discourse is the impact of research conducted by minority ethnic scholars at the Center of Minority Research in Special Education [COMRISE].
Europe is facing similar challenges in responding to racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious difference, because of increasing racism, xenophobia and political conflict. Current progress in developing a social system which is inclusive of minority ethnic communities across European states is hampered by conceptual conflict, ethnocentrism and ghettoization of minority perspectives. Whereas, mainstream education in individual states has had a measure of success, European Special Needs Education appears to be adopting a 'colour-blind' approach.
The presenters will offer comparative perspectives on demographic trends, conceptualisations of 'Inclusion', 'Racism' and 'Special Needs' in US and European discourses and invite discussion of future research and practice.
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