and Norwich (2005) came to a similar conclusion in their
review of specialist pedagogy. They suggested that teaching
strategies might be arranged along a continuum from high to
low intensity, rather than being arranged according to their
association with a particular type of special educational
need. Once again, the emphasis is on the use of a strategy
rather than apparently different teaching approaches. This is
important because it challenges the notion that mainstream
classroom teachers do not recognise or know how to implement
effective teaching practices for pupils with special
needs.
However, responding to differences between pupils is not
just a matter of ‘good teaching’, because we know that what
works for most does not work for some. Indeed, that is the
reasoning that originally led to the development of special
needs education as a separate form of provision; but this is
also the point where difficulties arise in articulating what is
distinctive about either special or inclusive education. What
do teachers need to know and do? What is the role of specialist
knowledge and how should it be used?