Special education and cross-curricular approach: Possibilities and limitations

During the last years some major changes have taken place regarding the curricula in Greece. The current trend reflects the process of modifying the current curricula following the principles of the cross-curriculm approach for the education of children with and without special educational needs. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potentials and benefits but also the possible limitations that may derive from the implementation of the integrated approach in special education. The first part of the paper addresses the main positions and current instructional methods used in the education of children with special needs. The second section presents the basic principles and strategies of the cross-curricular approach. The final section analyzes the theoretical and educational implications of the cross-curricular approach for special education.