There are several important basic understandings when practicing inclusion in the classroom including:
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Inclusive education decisions must be based solely on the needs of the student.
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Labels, available space, and administrative convenience are not relevant to decisions regarding a student’s appropriate educational setting.
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Schools or districts cannot make top-down decisions either to eliminate services in a setting, such as the general education classroom or in a traditional resource or self-contained setting. This is inappropriate and illegal practice as individual student needs are ignored in favor of an organizational decision.
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An appropriate IEP that is collaboratively developed by educators, parents, and if possible, the student, provides the blueprint for supplementary aids and services needed to provide an appropriate placement.
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In our planning, we are expected to use our expertise and our commitment to student-based decisions to identify the specific services and supports that will result in success in the general education classroom whenever appropriate.
Every day, educators, parents and administrators are gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to increase the impact of inclusive education services and the in-school and post-school success of students with disabilities!
The Inclusive Schools Network is providing the following free tools and strategies related to inclusive basics for your use. Please let us know if they are helpful to you in your efforts to improve inclusive education for all!
