Inclusive education is a process of addressing and responding to the diverse needs of all learners through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities, and reducing exclusion within and from education.
The benefits of inclusive education include improved academic outcomes for students with disabilities (as well as students without disabilities), improved social outcomes for students with disabilities, improved attitudes toward peers with disabilities and reduced bullying, more use of assistive technology by students without disabilities, lower dropout rates and a decreased need for special schools or classes.
On the other hand, segregated classrooms are expensive to maintain, can cause stigma and discrimination against students with disabilities, can promote lower standards of education for students with disabilities, and may not fully prepare students for life after school.
An inclusive education system means that all children in a given grade level have access to the same opportunities, resources, lessons, and social experiences. There are many reasons that school systems tend not to be inclusive—some of them due to historical exclusionary practices and some due to space or funding concerns. But in order for school systems to function as the bedrock of their communities, students must be able to receive a fair and equal education no matter what their background may be.
Inclusive education is an ongoing process—something that we’re always working towards. But with the right tools and knowledge, you can start making strides towards an inclusive educational system today.
Inclusive education is a commitment to make all learning opportunities available to all students, regardless of their individual differences. Inclusive education involves removing the barriers to participation and learning that some students face. Inclusive education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school.
Inclusive education is based on values of dignity, rights and respect for diversity. It acknowledges that students have different needs and strengths and it focuses on what each student CAN do rather than what he or she CAN’T do. Inclusion does not mean ‘one size fits all’. Instead, it recognizes that differences are part of learning.
Research shows that students with disabilities benefit from being in classrooms with their non-disabled peers. Inclusive education, or co-teaching, is an effective way to meet the needs of all learners and to create a more inclusive classroom environment.
Inclusive education books are written in a way that children with special needs can also understand. These books are written to be inclusive and accessible to every child, regardless of ability, age, or background. These books include picture books for children as young as two years old, chapter books for older readers, and picture books for adults. We carry many other genres of inclusive education books as well.
Inclusive education (also known as inclusive teaching) is a way of thinking and acting that allows every student to feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued—regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or ability. It’s a proven method that enhances learning for all students.
In a typical inclusive classroom, general education teachers work with special education teachers and other instructional specialists to provide an appropriate educational program for all students. It is the responsibility of the IEP team to review the needs of each child and determine what accommodations are needed in order for the child to be successful.
The educational program that is developed for a child with a disability must be designed to meet his or her unique needs by offering meaningful access to the general education curriculum.
Inclusive classrooms should always reflect current best practices for teaching and learning. These practices include, but are not limited to: effective instruction; student-centered learning; appropriate accommodations and modifications; collaborative problem solving; and differentiated instruction.