The Impact of Inclusion on Children's Lives: Multiple outcomes, and friendship in particular

• Published in: International journal of disability, development, and education Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 9 - 31
• Main Author: Meyer, Luanna H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.2001
• Subjects: Children; Desegregation effects; Disabilities; Disabled children; Educational research; Elementary Secondary Education; Friendship; Friendships; Inclusion; Inclusive Schools; Integration; Interpersonal Competence; Longitudinal studies; Mainstreaming; Participatory research; Peer Relationship; Research coordinating units; Research Methodology; Research utilisation; Researchers; Social Development; Social life; Special education; Theory Practice Relationship; United States
• ISSN: 1034-912X; 1465-346X
• DOI: 10.1080/10349120120036288

This paper describes the work of a Consortium for Collaborative Research on the Social Relationships of Children and Youth with Diverse Abilities. The Consortium was a 5 year research institute funded by the US Department of Education, carrying out research in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento areas of California; the Seattle and rural-suburban regions of Washington State; New York State including New York City, Syracuse and rural regions; and Maryland. The work was undertaken in rural, urban, and suburban school districts, with a demographically diverse population, and also directly with families. This paper shares the results of research findings on children's social lives in inclusive settings, while weaving a theme throughout the presentation of how this research was done. The focus was upon the role research should play and was directed toward closing the gap between research and practice.