A round-table discussion, "Multiple Perspectives on Special Educational Services," organized by Jonathan Vaughan, professor of psychology, was held as part of Education in a Liberal Democracy sophomore seminar in March.
The purpose is to bring together several different perspectives related to special education, as part of the Education in a Liberal Democracy sophomore seminar cluster, which looks at education from five disciplinary perspectives: public policy; philosophy; critical studies in race, class and gender; learning and cognition; and curriculum and pedagogy decision-making. Through readings and discussion of these diverse perspectives, students explore the inextricable links that result in the U.S. public education system and agenda.
Participants include: Esther Kanipe, Marjorie and Robert W. Ewen Professor of History, a historian of the family, with a particular interest in governmental social policy towards women and family.
Nancy Kelly, director of the Utica Safe Schools/Healthy Students Partnership and founder, former director of Promise Program of Utica-United Cerebral Palsy and lecturer in educational psychology at Hamilton College.
Daniel Lowengard, superintendent of Utica Public School District, is at the forefront of initiatives to bring reform to an urban school district through the Utica Safe Schools/Healthy Students Partnership and the Millennium Project of Proctor High School and MVCC.
Tara McKee, assistant professor of psychology, is a clinical psychologist whose specialty is working with the parents of developmentally disabled children to support and maintain their coping skills.
Vinnie Strully '69, founder and CEO of the New England Center for Children, a nationally recognized program that provides state-of-the-art education and individualized treatment for children with autism and other disabilities.
Discussants include:
Students in Sophomore Seminar 260 and other interested community members, including the Sophomore Seminar 260 faculty:
Vivyan Adair, assistant professor of women's studies, instructor for "Critical Studies in Race, Class and Gender" section.
Susan Mason, director of education studies and director of oral communication, instructor for "Curriculum and Pedagogy Decision Making" section.
David Paris, dean of the faculty and professor of government, instructor for "Public Policy" section.
Jonathan Vaughan, professor of psychology, instructor for "Learning and Cognition" section.
