Creating Compassionate Classrooms: Understanding the Continuum of Disabilities and Effective Educational Interventions is a must have book that offers a comprehensive look at the thirteen disability areas under IDEA. In order to ensure the reader has a comprehensive understanding of special education, the first chapters examine IEPs and RtI, while subsequent chapters give in-depth descriptions of each disability category and the necessary accommodations and modifications to ensure student success. Readers will truly appreciate the candor and clarity this book provides and will find themselves referring to it often in their own practice.

Martha H. von Mering, Ph.D.

Administrator of Special Services and Student Support Services

Westfield Public Schools, Westfield, MA

It is rare to find a book so complete that it answers all your questions about special education, yet, Creating Compassionate Classrooms: Understanding the Continuum of Disabilities and Effective Educational Interventions does just that. The authors begin with an explanation of special education, response to intervention, and the creation and meaning of individualized education plans. Attention is then placed on describing each disability area according to the Individuals with Disabilities Act and providing student modifications and accommodations as well as practices and strategies that will enhance educator best practices. The importance of providing just-right educational settings for students while simultaneously supporting teachers in their quest to educate them cannot be ignored.

Vinnie Regan, MS, MEd

Principal

Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MA

Compassionate Classrooms: fills an especially important gap in the prevailing special education literature. This book is one of those few sources that thoroughly examines all thirteen recognized student disability classifications while, simultaneously, presenting best practices in educational interventions for each. For this reason, every special education educator, administrator and parent should consider this one a must read and maintain a copy on their bookshelf for future reference. Those who work with students with disabilities understand that this landscape is complex—this book helps help make it all that much more understandable.

Judith L. Klimkiewicz, Ed.D.

Senior Consultant for K-12 College/Career Education and Workforce Development

Commissioner's Office

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Superintendent of Schools, retired, Nashoba Valley Technical School District, MA