The specially commissioned essays in this book address the complexity of contemporary schools and classrooms as well as our need as a Canadian society to challenge the beliefs and practices that underpin lack of full access to, and benefit from education. They acknowledge the important influences of social, cultural, linguistic, academic, behavioural, gender and sexuality differences on the lives of students and raise important questions about how this diversity is respected in educational policy and practice.

Taken as a whole the essays are no less than a critical assessment of the theory, practices and policies of inclusive education and the promise of new assessment and empirical approaches, including "best practice", to affect positive change in the education of exceptional children. Parents, politicians and educators at all levels will find a wealth of ideas in the essays and an informed advocacy that cannot be ignored.

Judy L. Lupart is Canada Research Chair in Special Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta.