Shaping the Future of Special Education Using the Student Voice

Dear Colleagues,

Special education should involve the student voice in order to create more inclusive, equitable, and effective learning environments. In many cases, students with disabilities and special educational needs often face exclusion, segregation, and limited opportunities to express themselves in traditional educational settings. Using their own voices will empower them as active participants in their education and school communities. Shaping the future of special education using the student voice means actively involving students with disabilities in shaping their educational experiences, policies, and practices. This approach not only empowers students but also leads to more responsive, inclusive, and effective education systems that honour the diverse needs and aspirations of all learners.

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, including but not limited to the following:

• Empowerment and Engagement: Encouraging students to actively participate in planning, learning, and leadership roles within their classrooms and schools in order to foster empowerment and engagement. 
• Inclusive Practices: Providing accessible tools, personalized support, and differentiated instructional strategies ensures that all students, regardless of ability, can meaningfully contribute their voices. 
• Professional Development: Training special educators to understand and amplify the voices of students with disabilities is crucial. 
• Impact on Educational Practice: Listening to students with disabilities offers valuable insights that can shape instructional methods, reduce stigma, and improve academic and social outcomes. 
• System-Level Change: Student voice can drive transformational change at multiple levels—classroom, school, and community—by informing policies, enhancing cultural responsiveness, and expanding educational opportunities. 
• Promoting Inclusion: Engaging students in dialogue and action promotes inclusion by valuing their input and fostering open adult mindsets. 

Suggested themes:

Manuscripts that address the following are solicited:

• Systematic reviews or meta-analyses that integrate the voices of students with disabilities.
• Teaching approaches that increase the participation of students with disabilities. 
• Teaching approaches that increase inclusion.
• Teacher development models that change classroom instruction strategies to include students with disabilities.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Maria Georgiadi
Dr. Eleni Tragoulia
Guests Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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