PRODUCTS

Attaining a Just Future: Disability Studies Examines Curriculum and Transition for Students Labeled with Intellectual Disability is a critical volume in the area of Disability Studies in Education that investigates current trends in curricular access for 14- to 21-year-old students with intellectual disabilities (ID), offering revelatory insights into how students with ID are understood and taught in U.S. schools. By analyzing the state of curricular access for students with ID through a myriad of perspectives, this book reveals that ideological barriers, educational policies, and neoliberal priorities substantially contribute to ongoing segregation and unequal outcomes for people with ID in U.S. schools and society. It examines how commonly used school curricular practices play a role in sustaining segregation and negative outcomes experienced by people with ID labels.

The book centers the experiences of six young adults with ID labels, who, along with their families, were qualitatively interviewed with the goal of understanding the complexities of curriculum access and future planning from a first-person perspective. In addition, professionals who work with young adults with ID labels were also interviewed, including transition program directors, teachers, child study team members, administrators, a curriculum specialist, a transition advocate and a state-level employee. A mixed-methods survey was disseminated, which received 77 responses from teachers, administrators, and transition specialists regarding their usage and understanding of curriculum for their students. Finally, an analysis of publicly available documents from the websites of five commonly used published curricula targeted to students with significant disabilities was conducted.

The first chapter in the book offers the readers information about the six students centered in this project and then provides contextual policy frameworks, a review of literature, and an overview of the intersectional theoretical approach that guides the analysis throughout the book. Chapter two considers the role that the Least Restrictive Environment policy plays in concretizing tracking in alignment to curricular opportunities for students with ID. Chapter three digs into the kinds of content curricular publishing companies target to high school and transition-aged students with ID, professional beliefs about curriculum for students with ID, and the learning goals students and families have for themselves. Chapter four unpacks the concept of “independence” within special education and how it becomes a justification for funneling students away from academic learning. Chapter five evaluates both segregative and inclusive practices found in 18-21 transition program planning, curricula and programming. Finally, chapter six highlights best-practices, advocacy tactics, and teaching approaches that can lead to improved outcomes for young adults with ID labels.

Overall, Attaining a Just Future uses a variety of perspectives to investigate the kinds of curricular decisions made either alongside or on behalf of young people with ID labels. This book reveals that the curricular choices made on behalf of many young adults with ID are often not aligned with their desires and are often based upon ideologies about intellectual functioning itself, rather than being based on the individual interests, cultural backgrounds, potential, skills, or ambitions of the young person. Ultimately, the book offers educators, administrators, advocates, disabled people, and families tools and ways of thinking that can lead to more just and inclusive futures for transition-aged students with ID labels.

Perfect for courses such as: Foundations of Inclusive Education; Foundations in Curriculum Studies; Special Education and Educational Leadership; Inclusion and Educational Leadership; Special Education Law and Policy; Pedagogy in Secondary Inclusive Education; Disability Studies in Education; Foundations and Philosophies in Inclusive Education; Issues, Policies, and Trends in Inclusive Education; Inclusive Methods for Middle and Secondary Schools

Let's face it: studying Special Education Law is difficult and can be quite tedious. If it were not a part of the requirements for most advanced administrative degrees in education, many students would prefer to skip the course. However, skipping the study of Special Education Law would be quite detrimental to the anticipated and actual experience not only of principals, but also of many other central office administrators, and especially Superintendents. Mistakes in Special Education Law not only lead to shortchanging students and failing to meet their needs, but the same mistakes can be quite costly to school districts in lawsuits, sanctions, and personnel issues. Case Studies for Special Education Law: One Foot in the Real World, the Other Grounded in the Law gives actual case studies that discuss the issues in special education today. It is a great resource and textbook addition for university courses, and would be outstanding for school district personnel to use for professional development.

For each case study, the book follows the Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion (IRAC) format:

• Clearly identify the ISSUE associated with the case. What did the school do? What are the parents alleging? What are the parents asking for?
• Determine the relevant RULE: what part of special education law most impacts this case? Who else is involved in the case? Is it clear cut for either side?
• ANALYSIS or APPLICATION: as an outside observer, what did the school do right? Do the parents have an actionable case? Did it go to hearing? Was due process involved? Were advocates involved?
• CONCLUSION: was a settlement arrived at through mediation? If not, what was the next step? Did the parents hire an attorney? What lessons were learned? How can this be applied to administrative practice?

Transition planning for students with disabilities is often treated as a procedural task rather than an opportunity to address systemic inequities. Beyond Graduation: Navigating Postsecondary Success for Students with Disabilities reframes postsecondary transition through a justice-centered framework that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices. The book examines the current state of transition planning, highlighting disparities in access, employment, and community integration for disabled students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. It advocates for early intervention, comprehensive assessments, and individualized goals aligned with each student’s strengths and aspirations.

The book explores how race, disability, and socioeconomic status intersect to shape postsecondary experiences, emphasizing the need for equity-centered transition practices that address systemic biases in special education. It critiques traditional definitions of college readiness and advocates for inclusive curriculum design and equitable access to advanced coursework.

Strategies for fostering independence, financial literacy, and self-advocacy are outlined, along with practical recommendations for navigating postsecondary systems and digital spaces. The concluding chapter underscores the importance of accountability, systemic change, and justice-oriented planning that prepares all students to thrive beyond graduation. Designed for educators, practitioners, students, families, educators, and policymakers, this research bridges the gap between policy and practice, offering actionable solutions to empower students with disabilities to achieve success beyond the classroom and into adulthood.

Perfect for courses such as: Foundations of Postsecondary Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities; Equity and Inclusion in College Readiness Programs; Principles of Independent Living and Life Skills Development; Addressing Ableism and Systemic Barriers in Higher Education; Intersectionality and Disability: Navigating Race, Class, and Access; Technology and Access in Postsecondary Education; Advocacy and Self-Determination for Students with Disabilities; Introduction to Special Education; and Exceptional Children

Adapt and Thrive: Strategies for Inclusive and Special Education is a compassionate, evidence-based guide for teachers, special educators, and caregivers supporting children with autism and sensory or behavioral challenges. Tara Cosco provides educators and caregivers with strategies to help each child flourish with dignity, joy, and confidence. Success begins with building strong relationships, understanding students’ strengths, interests, and what brings them joy. You’ll learn ways to determine the cause of challenging behaviors, then respond with motivation, engagement, and personalized support. Sensory needs are treated as essential, not optional: the book guides you in integrating movement and using visual and tactile tools so students feel safe, regulated, and understood. Emotional regulation is also central: with strategies like Zones of Regulation and restorative practices, the goal is equipping students with self-awareness and empathy rather than enforcing compliance.

Because every learner is unique in pace, style, level, and readiness, Adapt and Thrive offers flexible strategies. It emphasizes early intervention, providing communication tools, sensory accommodations, and emotional regulation strategies early to help prevent frustration, isolation, and shame. Practical, classroom-tested tools are woven throughout: reward charts, visuals, regulation strategies, and restorative conversation templates. Written with warmth, humility, and respect, this book celebrates the inherent worth and beauty of every child. If you want to build inclusive, compassionate classrooms where every learner is known, valued, and supported, this book will guide your way.

Adapt and Thrive can be adopted in a variety of classroom courses, including:

• Selected Topics in Special Education
• Advanced Studies in Special Education
• Policies and Procedures in Special Education
• Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education
• Advanced Assessment in Special Education
• Student Teaching in Special Education
• Instructional Strategies for Teaching Students with Disabilities
• Educational Planning for Exceptional Students
• Critical Issues in Education

Advancing Special Education Through Improvement Science: A Practical Guide offers a comprehensive and accessible resource for educators, administrators, and policymakers committed to enhancing equity and effectiveness in special education. It bridges the gap between theory and practice by providing a structured approach to applying improvement science within the unique context of special education services. Grounded in the principles of continuous improvement, the book introduces a methodical process for identifying, testing, and refining practices to achieve better outcomes for students with disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding educational systems' complexities and using data-driven strategies to foster lasting change.

A key strength of this guide is its focus on the role of data in driving improvement. Readers are guided through practical methods for collecting, analyzing, and using data to inform decisions, along with solutions to common challenges in the process. By centering evidence-based decision-making, the book empowers educators to make meaningful changes that positively impact student outcomes. Collaboration is another major theme. The text highlights the importance of engaging teachers, administrators, families, and students in improvement efforts. Strategies for building strong teams, fostering trust, and ensuring inclusive stakeholder participation are woven throughout, reinforcing the idea that sustainable improvement depends on shared responsibility.

Real-world case studies illustrate successful applications of improvement science in diverse school settings. These examples provide readers with insights into implementation challenges and successes, offering practical takeaways that can be adapted for their own contexts. To support day-to-day implementation, the book includes a variety of tools and resources such as data collection templates, PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle checklists, and facilitation guides for collaborative meetings. These practical assets make it easier for educators to incorporate improvement science into their routines.

Finally, the guide addresses the critical need for sustainability and scalability. It offers strategies for embedding improvement practices into school and district operations so that gains can be maintained and expanded over time. By focusing on long-term change, the book helps ensure that students with disabilities benefit from ongoing, systemic improvements.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, school leader, or policymaker, this guide provides the knowledge and tools needed to drive meaningful progress in special education through improvement science.

Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Special Education; Exceptional Children; Foundations of Special Education; Special Education Leadership; School Improvement and Reform

Do you have the desire to build relationships with the special education teachers in your school or district but constantly feel weighed down by compliance issues? Special education teachers are leaving the field at alarming rates, and positive change through transformational leadership practices can help administrators build confidence and self-efficacy as leaders of special education programs and strengthen special education teachers’ commitment to remain in the field.

In a book that guides an affective journey using John C. Maxwell’s teachings, Natasha Veale, a former special education teacher, professor of special education, and certified Maxwell Leadership consultant, demonstrates how to address administrators’ belief in their ability to become influential special education leaders and connect with their special education teachers, even without a background in special education. This book is ideal for pre-service and in-service assistant principals and principals, special education administrators, and general and special education teachers. Embedded school administrators’ anecdotes reveal experiences, challenges, and desires to build an emotionally supportive environment for their special education teachers. Practical advice and tips are offered to help administrators positively influence, individually consider, intellectually stimulate, and inspirationally motivate their special education teachers.

In How to Retain Special Education Teachers: A Transformational Leadership Guide for School Administrators, you learn how to:

• Support special education teacher workload
• Build self-efficacy as a leader of special education
• Build relationships with special education teachers
• Strengthen Principal Preparation Programs