December 14, 2015
Education faculty members' book translated into Chinese
A textbook co-authored by College of Education faculty members has been translated into Chinese.
Collaboration, Consultation, and Co-teaching for Students with Special Needs, seventh edition, was authored by Peggy Dettmer, professor emeritus; Ann Knackendoffel, assistant professor of special education, counseling and student affairs; and Linda P. Thurston, associate dean for research and graduate studies and Lydia E. Skeen chair. The book was first published in 1993.
Pearson editor Ann Davis said it was significant that the book was selected for translation.
"While we have a number of our texts being translated into different languages, Chinese translations didn't start happening with any regularity until a couple of years ago. So the fact that this book has been translated is pretty cool," Davis said. "What it says is that Chinese universities have become more open to ideas, methods and strategies common in Western institutions of higher education."
Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education, believes this is a testament to the quality of the work, and it demonstrates the college's impact internationally as China is the most populated nation on Earth.
"This book is in its seventh edition, which says a tremendous amount about its scholarly contribution to the profession," Mercer said. "The college's expertise and impact are being broadened through this translation, and it is a significant contributor to our strategic goals for K-State 2025."
Thurston believes the book struck important societal issues and that is the heart of its longevity.
"'Collaboration' seems to be the watchword of the decade, with discussions in professional organizations, government, universities and industry about the critical need for collaboration across disciplines and organizations to address the important issues we face in our local and global communities," Thurston said. "Our textbook grew out of critical needs in understanding and serving students with disabilities in the early 1990s; those needs and issues are still prominent today. Many of the topics we address, such as communication, collaborative problem- solving, understanding individual differences and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, are recognized as essential skills for the 21st century workplace."
The back cover offers an outstanding summary of the book's content.
The seventh edition of Collaboration, Consultation, and Teamwork for Students with Special Needs focuses on collaboration in a variety of environments and emphasizes constructive ways to use educator differences to serve students with special needs.
This text's broad perspective ensures coverage of the history of the collaboration, ways to structure and implement collaborative teams, important processes and practices that ensure effective co-educator partnerships and the external support that makes collaborative school consultation successful. The seventh edition features new chapters devoted to professional perspectives, personal preferences, paraeducators and evaluation techniques. With coverage of the latest educational reforms, updated activities and tools of technology, this edition prepares educators, school personnel, families and community leaders with a strong knowledge base that celebrates strengths in personal differences.
The authors are currently working on the eighth edition. Dettmer, Thurston and the late professor emeritus Norma Dyck authored the first four editions.