""Exceptional Learners" is an outstanding introduction to the characteristics of exceptional learners and their education, emphasizing classroom practices as well as the psychological, sociological, and medical aspects of disabilities and giftedness. In keeping with this era of accountability, all discussions and examples of educational practices are grounded in a sound research base."" "With over 600 new references added to the 11th edition, the authors are committed to bringing the most current and credible perspectives to bear on the ever-increasing complexity of educating students with special needs in today's schools. The authors believe firmly that responsible instruction can help all students to maximize their potential, and they offer practical suggestions for ways in which educators can meet the educational needs of students with special needs and diverse abilities in collaborative environments that include families, other professionals, and the community. HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT'S NEW IN THE ELEVENTH EDITION Over 600 new references have been added, reflecting the authors' commitment to present readers with the most current perspectives on the ever-increasingly complex issues involved in educating students with disabilities in today's schools. NEW Assessment of Academic Progress sections in all categorical chapters provide readers with category-specific information about Progress Monitoring, Outcome Measures, Testing Accommodations and Alternative Assessment for students with special needs. Significantly reorganized Chapter 2, "Integration, Inclusion, and Support of Positive Outcomes" both provides new information on Universal Design, use of technologies, differentiated instruction, response to intervention (RTI), and assessment of academic progress and student outcomes, highlighting the current focus of federal mandates (e.g. NCLB, IDEA) on student outcomes, and makes it easier for students to absorb that information. Increased coverage of Response to Intervention (RTI) in accordance with changes to federal law, including major new sections in Chapter 2 and Chapter 6, emphasises the importance of multi-tiered assessment to readers. Marginal references throughout the text make it easy for readers to use the relevant multimedia assets on the MyEducationLab website created specifically to accompany Exceptional Learners, 11e, to improve their mastery of key concepts. New information on Identifying and Implementing Effective Reading Instruction (for English Language Learners). New information on Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers. New discussion of the change in terminology from mental retardation to intellectual and developmental disabilities. New information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The lastest research on gullibility as a characteristic of persons with mild intellectual disabilities. New research on neuroimaging and genetics findings relevant to the causes of Learning Disabilities and ADH. New Skills definition of blindness. The latest research on the role of visual-spatial abilities in autism.
I don't know that I can rate a textbook the same way I do my personal reading, but here goes: I liked the format of the book; it was consistent and made things easy to find from chapter to chapter. It gives a pretty good general overview on the various subjects it covers (and it covers quite a few areas of disability, as well as gifted and talented students). It's not very specific, and I don't think it's intended to be, so it would be a frustrating reference if you're looking for details on a certain topic or intervention. Still it's one that I plan to keep around for a good quick reference on general disability subjects.
I can't believe I finished the first textbook of my Special Education graduate career!
This is a really great resource that I will keep in my teacher library forever. I learned so much about different exceptionalities, including great details about my own child that I hadn't considered before. Unlike most textbooks, this was actually readable and enjoyable.
I think it's a must read book for special education students. It has many contents and this is one of the book that I'm looking for. I just wanna start read this book :)
Outstanding introduction to exceptional learners and their education, emphasizing classroom practices ,the psychological, sociological, and medical aspects of disabilities and giftedness.
I only had to read like 5 chapters of this for class but idk how else to mark it because this isn't a DNF situation, so. The overall book is fairly balanced and updated (my class...less so).
Previously: Despite this being an updated edition published LAST YEAR, I've already found that it uses the actual phrase "transgendered to male" so this should be fun...
I had so many problems with this textbook. It does try to cover a huge amount of content in fewer than 400 pages, but this means that many issues are glossed over or ignored. Massive amounts of text are used detailing history and causes (which are interesting) while topics more relevant to educators such as diagnosis and teaching strategies are far less detailed. There are also many examples of political and cultural bias in the book that will leave new educators wondering why they are getting pushback from parents and community members if they speak on some disabilities the way that the book does. And even though my edition was printed in 2015, there are several errors I found regarding IDEA and Section 504 laws. There are many errors in the text. I'm not talking about typos, but entire lines of print that repeat themselves. I also did not like the formatting of the book. I understand that a lot of students may purchase an electronic copy of the book, making the hyperlinks that are embedded in the text easy to follow, but this is not the case if you have a print edition. Hyperlinks in the main text are written out, but links within captions or special focus sections are hidden under linked key words, making them completely unavailable to a reader. Even if I had an electronic copy I would prefer a section at the end with the links listed, because leaving in the middle of the text would probably lead me into hours of off-topic link-chasing, but that's just a personal preference.
Pretty standard textbook. Each chapter follows a similar format so it is rather predictable. At times I found the subjects extremely interesting and other times I found them boring and redundant. One of my pet peeves is when a book says the same thing over and over again. I did end up learning a lot but would not recommend for light reading or in-depth study.
I did not find this book a particularly helpful resource. It is heavy on anecdotes, which I understand is an important way to better understand a disability, but I find video interviews and resources (like F.A.T. City) much more helpful in this regard.
Seriously, this text has the most abstract, worst prose of any text I've ever read. I have a friend who prefers a poor grade to reading it. It is, however, very informative, with good politics.