Key Issues In Special Education: Raising Standards of Pupils

In this review of Key Issues In Special Education: Raising standards of pupils' attainment and achievement, the book is recommended mainly for professionals who must translate policy into classroom practice. Michael Farrell's text is a practical, case-study driven guide that clarifies the role of educational standards in schools and explains how to identify needs, set targets and align provision with the Code of Practice. The bottom line: this is a hands-on, policy-aware resource for special educational needs coordinators and senior staff seeking clear, evidence-informed approaches to raising pupil attainment.

Key Features

• Practical case studies: Detailed, real-life examples demonstrate how theory and policy play out in everyday school settings and support decision making.
• Standards focus: Clear explanations of the definition of standards help readers align assessment and benchmarking with improvement goals.
• Assessment and benchmarking: Guidance on assessment offers practical ways to measure progress and set realistic targets for pupils with special educational needs.
• Curriculum provision: Discussion of curriculum and target-setting explains how to adapt teaching to raise attainment without sacrificing curriculum integrity.
• Code of Practice relevance: Examination of the Code of Practice clarifies legal and procedural expectations for schools and coordinators.

Who It's For

This book is well suited to special educational needs coordinators, senior managers in schools and trainee teachers who need a concise, practical bridge between policy and classroom practice. It benefits readers seeking concrete examples rather than only theory and who want focused guidance on assessment, target-setting and the Code of Practice.

Those looking for step-by-step lesson plans or a textbook on pedagogy for specific disabilities may find the emphasis on standards and policy less directly applicable. Researchers seeking exhaustive empirical studies might also prefer a more academic monograph.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Practical, case-study based examples make abstract policy accessible for practitioners.
• Strong focus on assessment and benchmarking helps schools set meaningful targets for improvement.
• Clear coverage of the Code of Practice supports legal and procedural understanding in school contexts.

Cons

• The book concentrates on standards and policy rather than detailed, lesson-level instructional methods.

Specifications

Title	Key Issues In Special Education: Raising standards of pupils' attainment and achievement
Author	Michael Farrell
Focus	Educational standards, assessment and the Code of Practice
Intended readers	SEN coordinators, senior managers, trainee teachers
Approach	Practical case studies and policy clarification

Our Verdict

Key Issues In Special Education offers pragmatic, policy-aware guidance that helps school leaders and SEN coordinators translate complex legislation into workable assessment and curriculum strategies. Its case-study approach and focus on assessment and benchmarking make it good value for practitioners aiming to raise attainment, though those needing detailed classroom routines may need a supplementary resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain the Code of Practice?
Yes. It examines the role of the Code of Practice and its implications for school procedures and SEN coordination.

Is it suitable for new teachers?
It is useful for trainee teachers who need to understand standards and assessment, though not a substitute for practical lesson planning guides.

Are there practical examples included?
Yes. The book draws extensively on detailed, real-life case studies to illustrate key points.