Multicultural powers of “fluffy” words and actions in general and special education

The search for “quality” has been the driving force behind general and special education programs; and rightly so! This search has led to incessant demands for scientifically proven and evidence-based methods, both in research and practice. However, this search has frequently ignored “fluffy” words and actions that make up the gum that glues together good friendships, marriages, relationships, classrooms, organizations, institutions, and communities. The reality is that this Utopian demand for quality has downplayed or eliminated “hearty” and caring sensibilities in general and special education programming. This systematically creates psychological, socio-emotional, and educational problems for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) and vulnerable learners who have been traditionally disenfranchised, disadvantaged, and disillusioned. The critical question is, What can be done to incorporate and value “fluffy” words and actions in general and special education in this puritanical search for quality? This is the focus of this article.