assessing for inclusion
Inclusion is a subjective experience and central to its understanding are the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of students with diverse attributes (disability, ethnic heritage, racial identity, gender identity, religious background, body image, sexual orientation, family configuration, socioeconomic status, or primary language).
assessing inclusion: student interview
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teacher reflective questions
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inclusion vs integration
Inclusion (Philosophy)
The emotional response of feeling part of a group while engaged in the same environment.
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Integration (Placement)
The act of bringing people together into a single environment.
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recent findings in research
Research examining integrated physical education (physical educators striving for inclusion) from viewpoints of students with disabilities has shown that although teachers appear to have good intentions, their use of obvious and explicit modifications to activities can highlight the inabilities those students with disabilities. The result of this well-intended action can therefore contribute to social issues, such as social isolation and exclusion, which therefore inform a lack of belonging, acceptance, and value.
Based on these accounts, we suggest that teachers not adopt simple strategies or methods suggested to be 'inclusive', which proliferate textbooks and practitioner articles, but rather seek to value student voice, data, collaboration, and reflection support their students.
Teachers need to invest in deeper and more complex studies of practice to come close to a fully inclusive learning environment.
Based on these accounts, we suggest that teachers not adopt simple strategies or methods suggested to be 'inclusive', which proliferate textbooks and practitioner articles, but rather seek to value student voice, data, collaboration, and reflection support their students.
Teachers need to invest in deeper and more complex studies of practice to come close to a fully inclusive learning environment.
the reflective approach to inclusion
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voices of students
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Communication Supports for Student Responses
Prior to conducting the assessment, the administrator needs to be knowledgable of the student's best method of communication and have the necessary supports available. This may include, but is not limited to voice output devices, braille, assistive technology, picture communication symbols (PCS), verbally asking the question, adapting the questions into easier terms, etc.
student response symbols
| Student Response Symbols |
inclusive practices
To successfully implement a truly inclusive learning environment, there needs to be a collaborative team approach that may include (and is not limited to): the student, parents, classroom teacher, related-service providers, healthcare providers, administrators, instructional team leaders, etc.
Inclusion is a philosophy and not a setting, meaning teachers should aim to develop an inclusive environment whether it is inside or outside the general education setting.
Inclusive practices start with the knowledge of students as individuals and then develops the environment and task around the individual student's needs, strengths, interests, emotions, experiences, and goals.
Inclusion is a philosophy and not a setting, meaning teachers should aim to develop an inclusive environment whether it is inside or outside the general education setting.
Inclusive practices start with the knowledge of students as individuals and then develops the environment and task around the individual student's needs, strengths, interests, emotions, experiences, and goals.
