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The Implications of Selective Secondary Education for Inclusive Education in Barbados

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Achieving Inclusive Education in the Caribbean and Beyond

Abstract

This chapter provides a perspective on issues involved in achieving equitable and inclusive education for all school-age students in Barbados, with implications for other countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. It examines the conflict between the philosophy and practicality of inclusive education and the forms of ability grouping and selective secondary education typically found in Caribbean countries, focusing particularly on that in Barbados. The international literature on selective education and ability grouping is discussed and contrasted with the reality of practice in secondary school education in Barbados. The extent to which the inclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities, in schools that are streamed for ability, can be undermined and lead to their internal exclusion is discussed. Recommendations are made regarding the changes required of the education system in Barbados for implementing effective inclusive practice and achieving equitable education for all school-age students.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Providence Secondary School, St. George, Barbados

    Marcia Pilgrim

  2. Institute of Education, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

    Garry Hornby

Authors
  1. Marcia Pilgrim
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  2. Garry Hornby
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Correspondence to Garry Hornby .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados

    Stacey N. J. Blackman

  2. School of Education and Professional Studies, State University of New York at Potsdam, Potsdam, NY, USA

    Dennis A. Conrad

  3. Department of Educational Foundation and Leadership School of Education, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Launcelot I. Brown

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Pilgrim, M., Hornby, G. (2019). The Implications of Selective Secondary Education for Inclusive Education in Barbados. In: Blackman, S., Conrad, D., Brown, L. (eds) Achieving Inclusive Education in the Caribbean and Beyond. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15769-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15769-2_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-15768-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-15769-2

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