It Isn't Inclusion Without Peers

Brock's necessary book provides educators with easy-to-follow strategies to engage some of the most valuable and under-supported partners for children and youth with disabilities: paraprofessionals and peers. Brock respects educators' needs and distills these strategies to their most essential features. Reflective questions at critical points of each of the four peer-focused, evidence-based interventions prepare educators to make decisions ensuring success for students with and without disabilities.--Suzanne Kucharczyk, associate professor of special education, University of Arkansas One of the most important strategies for ensuring students with complex needs become members of inclusive and effective educational communities is to facilitate systems of peer supports. In this book, Dr. Brock draws upon both his teaching and extensive research experience to provide a roadmap for educators hoping to increase their students' access and success in inclusive classrooms through peer supports. This book is comprehensive, yet accessible and practical; it will certainly be a valuable resource for preservice and seasoned educators alike. Dr. Brock has also provided essential guidance on supporting paraeducators in inclusive classrooms, an important topic often insufficiently addressed in teacher education programs. I hope this book finds its way onto the shelf of every general and special educator!--Robert Pennington, PhD, BCBA-D, Lake & Edward J. Snyder, Jr. Distinguished Professor in special education, University of North Carolina-Charlotte This book tackles key barriers to inclusion, including strategies to support paraeducators, along with proven methods to engage peers in building inclusive communities with their classmates with disabilities. Four peer-based interventions are thoughtfully outlined for practitioners, along with case examples, practical how-to guides, and resources that can be used immediately in the classroom. Brock does a terrific job in making research evidence usable for classroom staff--a critical step in reducing the research-to-practice gaps that interfere with building inclusive settings. This book fosters competence, confidence, and connectedness for all staff and students.--Kara Hume, associate professor, School of Education, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill We've known for years that peer interventions can benefit all students in inclusive settings; however, several challenges continue to impede the implementation of this evidence-based strategy. Using plain language, this book clearly identifies the most prevalent challenges and provides practical recommendations for preemptively troubleshooting issues in order to effectively embed peer interventions throughout the school setting. Organized into two parts and seven chapters, it systematically describes how to partner with paraeducators and peers, with a focus on modeling, coaching, and feedback. The text details how to select and implement appropriate interventions through vignettes, activities, checklists, and blank consumable forms with detailed step-by-step directives for immediate use. For anyone looking to build sustainable and effective inclusionary practices, this book is an absolute must-have!--Luann Ley Davis, PhD, associate professor of special education, University of Memphis What a fabulous book! The interventions and implementation strategies presented in this text have the potential to profoundly impact the educational experiences of students with disabilities and their peers. I hope that teachers and teacher-licensure students all across the country have the opportunity to read this book and put it into practice.--Elizabeth E. Biggs, PhD, Vanderbilt University It Isn't Inclusion Without Peers provides a new and important viewpoint on supporting inclusive practices for children with disabilities: involving peers without disabilities. Packed with practical guidance for educators with any level of experience, the easy-to-read text highlights how to best partner with peers and use paraeducators to facilitate peer involvement. Educators will also be guided in selecting and implementing peer-focused interventions. A must-read text for teachers looking to implement sustainable inclusion practices.--Sarah N. Douglas, PhD, associate professor and RADD lab director, Michigan State University