Widening the Circle: The Power of Inclusive Classrooms

by Mara Sapon-Shevin

Widening the Circle is a passionate, even radical argument for creating school and classroom environments where all kids, including children labeled as "disabled" and "special needs," are welcome on equal terms.

In opposition to traditional models of special education, where teachers decide when a child is deemed "ready to compete" in "mainstream" classes, Mara Sapon-Shevin articulates a vision of full inclusion as a practical and moral goal. Inclusion, she argues, begins not with the assumption that students have to earn their way into the classroom with their behavior or skills, it begins with the right of every child to be in the mainstream of education, perhaps with modifications, adaptations, and support. Full inclusion requires teachers to think about all aspects of their classrooms—pedagogy, curriculum, and classroom climate.

Crucially, Sapon-Shevin takes on arguments against full inclusion in a section of straight-talking answers to common questions. She agrees with critics that the rhetoric of inclusion has been used to justify eliminating services and "dumping" students with significant educational needs unceremoniously back into the mainstream with little or no support. If full inclusion is properly implemented, however, she argues, it not only clearly benefits those traditionally excluded but enhances the educations and lives of those considered mainstream in myriad ways.

Through powerful storytelling and argument, Sapon-Shevin lays out the moral and educational case for not separating kids on the basis of difference.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up with this book pseudo-accidentally. Which is to say, I got it because I helped do some work on it while I was interning at Beacon Press over the summer, and they were kind enough to send me a copy when I was done. I never would have gone out and bought it on my own.

Widening the Circle is a book dedicated to promoting the value of inclusive classroom instruction. Essentially, what the book proposes is that rather than segregating children by skill level, or removing certain students because of their learning or social disorders, that educators should strive to create a classroom where students of all different levels can work and learn together. Sapon-Shevin believes that this sort of instruction is not only more academically fruitful, but that in the long run, it will help teach students to be more open-minded, tolerant, and socially aware.

The book is broken down into three basic sections: Sapon-Shevin begins by defining inclusive instruction, what it is, and what it isn’t. She then follows by addressing some of the commonly brought up concerns about inclusion classroom, and then finishes by discussing how inclusion actually needs to be put into practice. All of this advice falls into the largely theoretical realm, which, sadly, is where most educational discussions tend to happen.

The book is well written, fairly engaging, and easily accessible. You don’t have to be an educator or a trained psychologist to understand what Sapon-Shevin is talking about. Her explanations are clear, and she peppers the book with stories, both real and imagined, that help illustrate her beliefs.

As for the content, it’s a mixed bag. I think Sapon-Shevin makes some good points, but she sometimes takes her arguments to extremes that I found a little hard to swallow. Like most educational texts, her “evidence” is almost entirely anecdotal; a nice story here, a tragic story there, but there is very little that indicates that these stories are part of a larger trend. I would have liked it if she had mentioned how many stories she had, or if she had collected stories from beyond her personal experience. One person's experience is valuable, but on it's own doesn't, to my mind, constitute strong evidence. [Edited for clarity on my part:]

In any case, it’s an interesting book, and it certainly made me think a bit. While I’m not sure I agree with all of Sapon-Shevin’s conclusions, she’s pushing for a change in the American educational system, and I can’t fault her for that. I certainly prefer her vision to the vision of standardized tests for all, and if she takes her ideals to places I don’t want to go, then I can worry about that when her ideas are actually in place.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to all educators and really those interested in how schooling informs our democracy. The subtitle is "The Power of Inclusive Classrooms," which is the theme of this book. It makes the argument that there is no place for separating students based on any quality, but specifically this book is aimed at separating student labeled for Special Education. She makes the argument mostly on what type of society we want to build--only by modeling and doing inclusion can we have an inclusive society where we do not grow up to divide people into "other." she also argues that it is better educationally for all. She explains what types of changes would need to occur to make it work on the school and classroom level, and gives lots of examples from real schools and classrooms.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of research about the benefits of inclusion for both disabled and non-disabled students. The testimonials and data were informative. At times, the author's whiteness and able-bodiness was extremely present and centered and I would have liked to hear more testimonials from disabled BIPOC individuals. There was a little too much focus on how those without disabilities benefit from this too (which I understand is who needs to be convinced for policy, but they are also those who are already benefiting from the system) There were many strategies discussed, but as with most books on this subject, it is mainly focused on K-6 and then humanities for the upper grades. I would really like more concrete strategies for high school math and science.

[Makena · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book was educational in many ways and at the end, had excellent pointers on how to be a generally good human being.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone involved in education, including parents, would read this book and implement the strategies. From preschool through grad school.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book for a research project for one of my middle school methods courses but only read the bits and pieces that seemed to be useful at the time. I picked this book up again "for fun" and wish I would have read it cover to cover the first time. I love being reminded of the benefits of inclusion and the importance of instilling social justice in our children so that they can become caring and intelligent adults who will positively impact their communities and the world.

[Agnes M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for a university class and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of being a teacher or even parents. Really interesting and insightful.