RESEARCH INTO THE CONCEPT OF RESILIENCE AS A BASIS FOR THE CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN WITH EBD

Abstract

This paper reviews a corpus of research on educational resilience as developed by researchers in the USA. It is noted that at the present time the longstanding debate as to the relative importance of therapeutic and curricular aims in the education of children with EBD has been thrown into sharp relief by the Ofsted inspection regime that concentrates on curricular imperatives. It is argued that the concept of educational resilience provides a basis for a pedagogy that will attend to thereapeutic needs within any given curricular framework.

Research which supports the proposed focus on aspects of the educational process known to promote resilience at the individual and at the school level is then reviewed to provide ample examples of interventions that could be adopted in a curriculum aimed at promoting resilience.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeff Lewis

Jeff Lewis is Principal Lecturer in special education needs in the Rolle School of Education, University of Plymouth. His interests include the philosophy of education and pastoral care. He has published articles on listening to children, theoretical aspects of special education and spiritual education. He formerly taught in mainstream and special schools in London and Leicester.