Key Issues for Teaching Assistants

Working in Diverse and Inclusive Classrooms

Edited by Gill Richards, Felicity Armstrong

Price: $31.95

Add to Cart

• ISBN: 978-0-415-43425-6
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 31st October 2007
• Pages: 176

About the Book

Teaching Assistants are increasingly relied upon to provide for children who experience difficulties in learning. Key Issues for Teaching Assistants is an essential companion for any Teaching Assistant who wants to understand more about inclusion and diversity in today's classrooms.

While focussing particularly on the diverse roles of teaching assistants in supporting inclusive education, this book will be invaluable for all those involved in the development of inclusive learning and teaching.

This highly accessible resource explores the values and the possible contradictions in policies and beliefs, enabling Teaching Assistants to develop a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles of inclusive education. Contributions from leading experts in the field consider common classroom issues such as:

• inclusion and special needs
• dealing with hard-to-reach parents
• tackling bullying and supporting those bullied
• boys, girls and the different ways they achieve
• being the class 'TA' not 'PA'.

Each chapter contains an overview of topical debates, current research and initiatives, emphasising inclusive approaches and the importance of understanding the perspectives of children, regardless of their difference. Useful questions for reflection and a helpful list of suggested further reading material are also provided. Teaching Assistants, whether in practice, or as part of their study, will find this book an indispensable resource.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Inclusive Education 2. Listening to Learners: Whose Voice Counts? 3. Supporting Traveller Children 4. Not in my Image – Ethnic Diversity in the Classroom 5. The Influence of Gender on Achievement 6. The Inclusion Assistant. Young People with High Level Support Needs in Mainstream Schools, Colleges and Universities: Developing Good Practice 7. I’m a TA not a PA! Teaching Assistants Working with Teachers 8. Inclusive Relationships: Insights from Teaching Assistants on how Schools can Reach Parents 9. A New Role for Special Schools? 10. Inclusion, Extension and Enrichment: Personalised Gifted and Talented Provision 11. How Schools Create Challenging Behaviours 12. Bullying in Schools – or Bullying Schools? 13. Disabled Children, Inclusion and the Law in England and Wales 14. Social Justice, Human Rights and Inclusive Education

About the Author(s)

Gill Richards has worked in schools, further education colleges and higher education with learners identified as having special educational needs. She is the Director of Professional Development at Nottingham Trent University.

Felicity Armstrong is course leader for the MA in Inclusive Education at the Institute of Education, London.

Customers who bought Key Issues for Teaching Assistants also bought:

© 2007 Routledge, member of the Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa Business