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Exceptional Lives: Practice, Progress, & Dignity in Today's Schools

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Real students, real stories, and real solutions
Exceptional Practice, Progress, & Dignity in Today’s Schools pairs real-life stories about children, their families, and their educators with the most recent evidence-based research on inclusion of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.

The 9th Edition highlights the important themes of ensuring students’ progress using research-based instruction and the ethical principle of dignity. New chapters examine educational progress and long-term outcomes; school-wide supports; cross-cutting instructional approaches; and diversity and social justice. With its focus on real students, stories, and solutions, Exceptional Lives gives readers a comprehensive view of the rewards, challenges, and triumphs involved in special education today.

Also available with MyLab Education
By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLab personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student. MyLab Education gives teacher candidates opportunities to apply theory to practice ― better preparing them for success in their future classrooms.
You are purchasing a standalone product; MyLab Education does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyLab Education, ask your instructor to confirm the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

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0134893638 / 9780134893631 Exceptional Practice, Progress, & Dignity in Today’s Schools plus MyLab Education with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package
Package consists

528 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1994

18 people are currently reading
313 people want to read

About the author

Ann P. Turnbull

23 books5 followers
Ann Turnbull is the Marianna and Ross Beach Distinguished Professor Emerita in Special Education, at University of Kansas.

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5 stars
70 (21%)
4 stars
112 (33%)
3 stars
105 (31%)
2 stars
27 (8%)
1 star
19 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Katie.
91 reviews6 followers
April 22, 2014
This was a great introduction to special education and the students effected by various special needs. While this book left me wondering after more practical support of students in the classroom, it did provide a broad overview of the topic as well as many resources to further investigate solutions and strategies when working with specific students. Very easy to read, each chapter followed the same outline formula when discussing categories of needs, and there was brief mention to IEP development for each student. Overall, a solid text and great introduction to this field of study.

It was not listed on Goodreads, but I studied out of the 7th edition of this book.
Profile Image for Lauren.
54 reviews6 followers
May 28, 2008
This was an assigned text for a class that I withdrew from several weeks into the semester. However, being the book-nerd that I am, I continued reading it and found it on a whole to be informative, coherent and well-written, despite the overly "touchy-feely" aspects to the formatting. Great information about the history of disability recognition in America, disability law, and the particulars of living and learning with disabilities... The text is formatted to include lots of pictures and is easy to read.
Profile Image for Rinjaminbutton.
19 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2021
Overall this text has good information and anecdotes that will be helpful to teachers in best helping students with special needs both in general education and special education classrooms. Some of the writing felt unnecessarily repetitive and there is an air of social justice warriorism which I don't like and must be taken with a grain of salt and much discernment; but it pretty well covers the bases of students with disabilities and ways to respond to them, and in that there is much fruit.
Profile Image for Eric.
1,098 reviews9 followers
February 19, 2024
Again, required reading, but actually interesting at times. Very dry most of the time though. The real life scenarios were a nice touch.
Profile Image for Rachel.
51 reviews
June 26, 2025
HAHAHA READ FOR THIS CLASS BUT IT COUNTS😘
Profile Image for Brittany.
112 reviews
January 25, 2024
I had to read this book for a class. I loved it. I felt like I learned so much from this and felt better prepared for when I started teaching Special Ed. I also loved the examples the book gave and how it felt like I was reading personal experiences and giving me so much insight to my new career field.
Profile Image for Joy.
1,591 reviews11 followers
March 4, 2014
This was the assigned textbook for the special education survey course I took in the fall. I found it to be an enjoyable read with lots of helpful information. Each chapter covers a different disability with a description of the disability, legal information and appropriate educational interventions. This is one book that I will not be selling. It is a great resource for someone venturing into the world of special education.
Profile Image for Valerie Zink.
377 reviews11 followers
July 30, 2016
Yes, I read the whole thing. Every chapter was assigned for a class. It was okay, but it was a very broad overview of special education that in my opinion got too "medical" in its descriptions at time. The pattern of how each chapter was set up got to be boring as well. But overall, the reference list in the back is great and I did learn a lot from this book.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
315 reviews
September 16, 2008
I read this for a special ed class. I don't plan on ever giving this one away as long as I'm teaching. It goes into great detail all aspects of special ed and how to best teach. The case studies are amazing examples.
Profile Image for Dr. Fitz.
127 reviews
August 8, 2020
So this is a great book for teachers. Lots of great suggestions for teaching and accommodating student needs.
As a text book it develops empathy and understanding with voices of students with learning needs and/or their families.
Profile Image for Angela.
12 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2007
Has a lot of good information on understanding disabilities and inclusion.
Profile Image for Erin.
11 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2013
Great book! Breaks down each individual disability. Definitely a good text book, doesn't read like a manual.
496 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2013
If you want to work in special ed, read this book. If you want to be a teacher, read this book. Oh, just read it already.
Profile Image for Katkemm kemm.
4 reviews4 followers
February 12, 2015
Great updated information for every area of disability. I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Simon.
997 reviews11 followers
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January 1, 2016
For a class and I would not recommend reading.
Profile Image for Amanda.
543 reviews17 followers
December 30, 2016
Read this for my graduate level Special Education class...was well-written, and breaks complex topics down in ways that are easy to understand. Lots of visuals and examples as well.
Profile Image for Joe.
1,559 reviews13 followers
May 8, 2020
For what it is—a textbook—it’s not bad. I definitely like this version better than the previous one.
Profile Image for Evienne.
72 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2021
Textbook for school and a really well done overview of special education. I really appreciated the focus on intersectionality and dignity.
Profile Image for Glenda.
1 review
July 15, 2012
Good for helping students with disabilities, but only one chapter was devoted to gifted ed.
Profile Image for Laura.
126 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2014
great resource for anyone going into education
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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