The Shift from “Special Needs” to “Diverse Needs”: A Paradigm Change in Education
Inclusive Education, Diverse Needs, Paradigm Shift, Educational Equity, Inclusive Pedagogy, Diversity, Social Justice.
The discourse surrounding learner differences in education has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from the traditional notion of “special needs” to the more inclusive and holistic concept of “diverse needs.” This paradigm shift reflects a movement away from deficit-oriented models toward inclusive, equity-driven frameworks that recognize diversity as an inherent and valuable characteristic of all learners. The present paper critically explores this transition by examining its philosophical, theoretical, and policy underpinnings, as well as its implications for curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. Drawing upon global frameworks and contemporary educational reforms, particularly in the Indian context, the study highlights how the reconceptualization of learner needs contributes to reducing marginalization and promoting inclusive educational environments. The paper argues that while the shift is conceptually transformative, its practical realization requires systemic restructuring, teacher empowerment, and attitudinal change.
"The Shift from “Special Needs” to “Diverse Needs”: A Paradigm Change in Education", JETNR - JOURNAL OF EMERGING TRENDS AND NOVEL RESEARCH (www.JETNR.org), ISSN:2984-9276, Vol.4, Issue 4, page no.b766-b769, April-2026, Available :https://rjpn.org/JETNR/papers/JETNR2604233.pdf
Volume 4
Issue 4,
April-2026
Pages : b766-b769
Paper Reg. ID: JETNR_233792
Published Paper Id: JETNR2604233
Downloads: 00074
Research Area: Arts1 All
Country: Paschim Medinipur , West Bengal , India
ISSN: 2984-9276 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.87 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2023
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.87 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
Publisher: RJPN (IJPublication) Janvi Wave
