The Ghost of the Bell Curve: Ableism in American Education and an Agenda for Change (Futures of Disability & Difference)

This book is an enlightening look at how ableism creates exclusionary practices in education and how to dismantle them through informed, equitable decision-making.How did we arrive at an education system so deeply shaped by ableism? In The Ghost of the Bell Curve, Rebecca A. Cruz and Allison R. Firestone explore this question and address the persistent problem of poor academic and social outcomes for students receiving special education services.By reading this book, you will learn:How schools continue to create patterns of exclusion based on identity characteristics that intersect with ableismWhy our educational system is grounded in bell-curve thinking, which focuses on the myth of average and pathologizes differenceHow to build more inclusive learning environments  By tracing the medical, social, and legal models of disability, this book empowers readers to rethink long-held assumptions and implement practices that honor the full dignity, diversity, and potential of all learners. It will serve as a helpful resource for policymakers, leaders, and practitioners. Read more