Learn More about the Book
This book is an alternative account of special education from the cross-generational perspective of 15 mothers whose children labelled learning dis/abled (LD) attended public schools during the last four decades.
About the Book
This book documents the experiences of 15 mothers whose children labeled learning disabled attended public schools during the last four decades. Despite the right of parents to participate in educational decision-making, these mothers describe the challenge of exercising that right. In candid and compelling narratives, mothers speak to the language of experts, conflicts in shared decision-making, devaluation of "mother knowledge," and the influence of race, class, and gender. The constancy of issues suggests that this landmark legislation may, in fact, have engendered minimal changes in the lives of mothers and their children.
Review Quotes
1. "This topic is extremely important and Valle covers it well, bringing to light a number of critical issues which, sadly to say, we have been dealing with ineffectively for over forty years. What is particularly striking is that regardless of the legislation for parent involvement, the school consistently gives it only lip service. Fortunately, this collection offers a tremendous amount of information for parents and educators."--Darra Pace, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the CRSR Department, Special Education Program, Hofstra University
2.
“This book provides a fresh perspective on the history of special education law and collaboration, but from a perspective that is often overlooked - that of the mothers. These perspectives are important for all educators as they engage in the collaborative process with parents and continue to improve education for students with special needs.”--P.S. Arter, "Choice"
"This topic is extremely important and Valle covers it well, bringing to light a number of critical issues which, sadly to say, we have been dealing with ineffectively for over forty years. What is particularly striking is that regardless of the legislation for parent involvement, the school consistently gives it only lip service. Fortunately, this collection offers a tremendous amount of information for parents and educators."--Darra Pace, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the CRSR Department, Special Education Program, Hofstra University
3. "This book provides a fresh perspective on the history of special education law and collaboration, but from a perspective that is often overlooked - that of the mothers. These perspectives are important for all educators as they engage in the collaborative process with parents and continue to improve education for students with special needs." - P.S. Arter, Choice "This topic is extremely important and Valle covers it well, bringing to light a number of critical issues which, sadly to say, we have been dealing with ineffectively for over forty years. What is particularly striking is that regardless of the legislation for parent involvement, the school consistently gives it only lip service. Fortunately, this collection offers a tremendous amount of information for parents and educators." - Darra Pace, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the CRSR Department, Special Education Program, Hofstra University
4.
"This book provides a fresh perspective on the history of special education law and collaboration, but from a perspective that is often overlooked - that of the mothers. These perspectives are important for all educators as they engage in the collaborative process with parents and continue to improve education for students with special needs." - P.S. Arter, Choice
"This topic is extremely important and Valle covers it well, bringing to light a number of critical issues which, sadly to say, we have been dealing with ineffectively for over forty years. What is particularly striking is that regardless of the legislation for parent involvement, the school consistently gives it only lip service. Fortunately, this collection offers a tremendous amount of information for parents and educators." - Darra Pace, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the CRSR Department, Special Education Program, Hofstra University
5.
"This book provides a fresh perspective on the history of special education law and collaboration, but from a perspective that is often overlooked - that of the mothers. These perspectives are important for all educators as they engage in the collaborative process with parents and continue to improve education for students with special needs." - P.S. Arter, Choice
"This topic is extremely important and Valle covers it well, bringing to light a number of critical issues which, sadly to say, we have been dealing with ineffectively for over forty years. What is particularly striking is that regardless of the legislation for parent involvement, the school consistently gives it only lip service. Fortunately, this collection offers a tremendous amount of information for parents and educators." - Darra Pace, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the CRSR Department, Special Education Program, Hofstra University
