Inclusion Isn't a Dirty Word

I can't believe how controversial "inclusion" has become. To me, inclusion is defined as meaningful access and participation in all aspects of the school environment, including academic and extracurricular. What is controversial about wanting all students to be actively and meaningfully included throughout the school day?

At face value, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting that. But when you look deeper, you can see how challenging and complicated inclusion has become. Often, given only the resources currently offered, inclusion is doomed to fail.

Across all grade levels, students with disabilities in the US have a right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). By definition, the LRE is the general education classroom. If a student with disabilities is unable to make appropriate progress (even with the successful use of supplementary aids and services) in the LRE, then the team may need to consider a more restrictive environment in order to provide a FAPE. But for now, let's focus on the general education classroom.

Adequate/ appropriate progress in the general education classroom will look different student to student. Most students are working on grade level standards to advance from grade to grade. Others (specifically students with disabilities) are working on annual IEP goals as a way to measure progress. PLEASE NOTE- Working on skills addressed by IEP goals is not criteria for exclusion from the general education classroom or curriculum. In fact, being below grade level is not criteria for exclusion from the general education classroom or curriculum.

So, wait.... students with disabilities who are not on grade level should still have access to grade level curriculum beyond their current ability???

And here begins (some of) the controversy. I am not a teacher. But I can see their exhaustion. I can see the burnout and overwhelm as their responsibilities mount higher and higher and higher. One of their innumerable responsibilities is "inclusion." How can they be expected to teach a class of 20 learners that includes students who are gifted, students with behavioral concerns, students who are reading three grade levels behind, students who speak English as a second language, and students with a variety of disabilities? It seems impossible. And without careful planning and proper support, inclusion will fail every time.

But I am an optimist. From where we started, to where we are now is a net improvement for students with disabilities, still far from perfect with plenty of work left to do, but an improvement. Stakeholders need to continue to collectively work toward addressing the systemic reasons that successful inclusion seems so impossible- underfunding, inequities in staffing, inadequate professional development, and above all, a mindset convinced inclusion will never work and is therefore not worth the effort. None of this is easy work to begin with, and it's been made harder in the current culture war of "school choice," "dismantle the Department of Education," and "anti-DEI."

But I am an optimist. I am here for the long haul. And I believe inclusion can work.

I made this design and slapped it on a t-shirt! Available for sale in a variety of colors here!!

As always~ With Love, Light & Gratitude,

Janell

P.S. Do you need help navigating for a more inclusive environment for you learner? I can help! Check out my Packages page to learn about my services or to book a FREE consultation.