BA; PGCE; Certificate of Teacher for the Deaf; MA; PhD

Profile

I have been active in the field of deaf education since 1976, first as a teacher in special and mainstream contexts, and since 1990 as a lecturer and researcher. Funded research has included a literature review for the DfEE on the achievements of deaf children, a review of good practice in deaf education (funded by RNID), and a study of high achieving deaf pupils (RNID). I have published widely on the inclusion of deaf children and their educational achievements.

Responsibilities held within the School

Director of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Research and Projects Interests

Research interests and publications relate to the education of deaf children and young people, their educational achievements, and educational inclusion. Current work focuses on high achieving deaf young people and the transition from school to work of deaf young people.

Teaching Interests

Main teaching on the programme leading to the Mandatory Qualification for teachers of the deaf. Also teaching PGCE students and on other CPD programmes. Supervising MEd students.

Publications (selection)

Powers, S. (2006) Learning from Success: High Achieving Deaf Pupils. Birmingham: University of Birmingham. http://www.education2.bham.ac.uk/documents/projects/lfs/LFS_Report_July06.pdf

Powers, S. (2003) Influence of student and family factors on academic outcomes of mainstream secondary school deaf students, Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 8: 57-78.

Powers, S. (2002) From concepts to practice in deaf education: a UK perspective on inclusion, Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 7: 230-243.

Powers, S. (2001) Investigating good practice in supporting deaf pupils in mainstream schools, Educational Review, 53, 181-190.

Powers, S., Rayner, S., Gunter, H.  (2001) Leadership in inclusive education: a professional agenda for special education. British Journal of Special Education, 28: 108-112.

Powers, S. (1996) Inclusion is an attitude not a place: Parts 1 and 2, Journal of the British Association of Teachers of the Deaf, 20: 30-41and 65-69.

Publications 2001 - 2008 [complete, pdf]