Innovatory mainstream practice: What's happening in schools' provision for special needs?

Alan Dyson's analysis of changing roles in special needs, both in this journal and elsewhere, has aroused considerable interest and discussion. Now he moves from speculation to what is actually happening in schools. A trawl of schools and local educational authorities has yielded a mass of data and information on the features of innovatory practice and the characteristics of innovating schools. At this stage the analysis is tentative but nevertheless makes fascinating reading. Readers may, for example, find themselves identifying with an ‘inquiring’ or ‘innovating’ school. The Innovatory Mainstream Practice project at Newcastle is sure to have a profound effect on future provision. Schools still wishing to be part of this investigation should contact Alan Dyson at the School of Education, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, St Thomas' Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.