The book takes as its premise the argument that diverse learner groups
are a fact of demographic change that should be considered foundational
in the preparation of teachers rather than be problematized as a
challenge. It promotes the idea of teacher education for inclusive
education based on a consideration of what it means to educate all
children together. Divided into four parts, the book considers key
issues for teacher education, teacher agency, teacher education for
diversity, and a research agenda for the future.
In today's world, the demographic profile of students in schools is more
complex than ever before, and the increasing cultural, linguistic and
developmental diversity of today's classrooms, along with the pressure
to achieve high academic standards for everybody has significant
implications for how classroom teachers should be prepared to meet these
demands. This book advances a new understanding of inclusive education
that addresses the limitations inherent in current approaches that
problematize differences between learner groups by promoting a view of
difference as an aspect of human individuality. It considers the
implications of the research evidence underpinning teacher education for
diversity and makes suggestions for future research in the field.