Statement of Purpose

The Inclusive Education Special Interest Group proposes to provide CIES members with a forum in which the research and practice of those interested in Inclusive Education takes center stage.

Inclusive Education takes on different meanings depending upon geographic, cultural, and situational contexts and, therefore, this SIG will approach Inclusive Education from a broad international and interdisciplinary perspective. The guiding principals will be those of the Salamanca Declaration (UNESCO, 1994) expressed by:

"developmental approach seeking to address the learning needs
of all children, youth and adults with a specific focus on
those who are vulnerable to marginalization and exclusion"

By using a broad definition of Inclusive Education we hope to elicit the participation of all members interested in educational issues specific to (but not limited by) children who are marginalized due to special education needs. These might include: disabilities, second language acquisition, poverty, racial and ethnic discrimination, social exclusion, etc.