In this pioneering book, Ramsey assesses the progress of three second-grade deaf students by first pointing out that they were placed in two different environments: with the general population of hearing students, and separately with other deaf and hard of hearing children. Her study reveals that although both settings were ostensibly educational, inclusion in the general population was done to comply with the law, not to establish specific goals for the deaf children. In contrast, self-contained classes for deaf and hard of hearing children were designed especially to concentrate upon their particular learning needs. This cohesive book offers educators, scholars, and parents a remarkable stage for assessing and enhancing the educational context for the deaf children within their purview.

Claire L. Ramsey is an associate professor of Education at the University of California, San Diego.