There is a divide in the view of special education. Is special education to be viewed under the lens of medical model or social model? The models contrast and for the most part it is the medical model which has taken precedence.
Danforth clearly presents John Dewey as a major contributor to the educational philosophy of intellectual disability and promoter of the social model.
Consider the following quotes:
“Rather than conducting an evaluation based on the actual activities that an individual undertakes in daily life, intelligence tests simple classify a person based on a series of contextually disconnected activities, thereby providing no insight into the current or potential talents of an individual” (Danforth, 2008, p. 48).
“Given that different purposes or outcomes would require different standards of evaluation, it struck Dewey as illogical that one test could conduct a universal scale of value that somehow applied to all life’s contests and goals. Additionally, he noted that, given the difference social positions and cultures of various ethnic and racial groups, a test that demonstrates the superiority of one over another is merely failing to evaluate life activities engaged in by the supposedly inferior group” (Danforth, 2008, p. 49).
“Within a society cultivating a deep commitment to equality and an appreciation for the unique individuality of each citizen, a so-called universal test the creates hierarchical classes of citizens is as useful as a porous soup bowl” (Danforth, 2008, p. 50).
References:
Danforth, S. (2008) John Dewey’s Contributions To An Educational Philosophy Of Intellectual Disability. Educational Theory 58:1, 45-62.
