Research in science education for students with special education needs

In effort to synthesis a reasonable amount of information related to science education research for students with disabilities (SwD), this chapter focuses on students that make up a significant portion of disability categories and related areas. It reviews and discusses significant research for students in high-incidence disability categories (learning disabilities (LD); emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD)) and students considered English-language learners (ELLs). The chapter highlights a number of factors that may contribute to poor science performance for students with LD. It addresses science and special education for children in developing countries, such as South Africa, where educational policies, practices, and integration of these specialized fields are emerging and, at times, uncertain. The chapter describes the educational context of South Africa, examines separate key issues raised in special education and science education research, and then suggests ways in which both fields could address similar and overlapping challenges.