What Does An Inclusive School Look Like?

“What Does An ‘Inclusive’ School Look Like?”
Gary Hopkins, Editor-in-Chief “Education World”

This article, published in “Education World,” was written on May 18, 2000. It discusses “Inclusive” schools, and that an inclusive school embraces the idea that diversity is the reality, and that each child is a unique learner. Within this online article is a link that takes you to a booklet that helps you better understand what an inclusive school looks like. The booklet, entitled: Improving Education: The Promise of Inclusive Schooling, enables educators and advocates in evaluating and improving a school’s ability to meet the needs of a diverse student population. You can access this article, and its link to the booklet, by entering http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr225.shtml. The following is a brief description of what you will find in the booklet:

The section entitled “Is Inclusion the Same as Mainstreaming” is a good source if you aren’t sure what the differences are between the two concepts. There is a section entitled “A Story About Inclusive Support,” which discusses where to look, and who to look toward for support for a child with special educational needs. “General Education Support for Inclusive Practices” emphasizes how to make a general education class compatible to SPED students. There is a great section in the handbook entitled “What Makes a School Inclusive?” It contains many examples of how to teach inclusively. The most useful thing I found is a Visit Guide, which shows a parent or educator how to evaluate a school for a SPED student. Part 1 specifically deals with how to evaluate and record the physical layout of the school, and lists specific factors to address regarding the school, its practices, missions, activities, evaluation practices, etc. It includes a Classroom Evaluation Sheet, which can be printed out and used to set up a classroom (teacher) or what to observe (parent/student) when choosing a school. It also includes a School Portrait (Part 2), which explains what to look for in a school after reviewing the notes you took to complete Part 1 Your Visit. This handbook helps to get a good picture of what an inclusive school is. It also lists many sources for reading for more information on inclusive education.

This was a good article, because it included the “Improving Education” booklet, which I printed out, and intend to keep for future use.