It's More Than 'Just Being In': Creating Authentic Inclusion for Students with Disabilities

For students with disabilities, including those with complex support needs, inclusion means more than just physical presence in a classroom - it means full participation and valued membership in their school community. This book is your school team's practical blueprint for making authentic inclusion happen in K-12 classrooms.

Taking the stress and uncertainty out of inclusion, top expert Cheryl M. Jorgensen guides you step by step through her accessible approach to creating inclusive learning environments for students with autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities. You'll get a clear rationale for meaningful inclusion and learn how to use strengths-based, person-centered planning to meet the needs of each individual student. Concrete, research-based examples show you what successful inclusion looks like, and ready-to-use strategies help you implement each stage of inclusion, from presuming competence to supporting the transition to adult life.

Especially helpful for new teachers - but a great source of real-world ideas for any educator or parent-this essential guidebook will help your school team develop fully inclusive classrooms where every student learns and thrives.

Discover how to:

• presume and strengthen all students' competence
• overcome common challenges to inclusion
• develop supports to promote learning and participation
• write inclusive, standards-based IEPs
• collaborate with other professionals
• promote friendships and social connections
• assess academic progress
• help students transition to the next grade
• support students as they plan for life after high school

Practical materials:

Three in-depth case studies woven throughout the chapters, helpful checklists and tables, sample IEPs, additional online resources, and reproducible forms to help you implement inclusion.

Table of Contents

About the Downloads

About the Author

Foreword Paula Kluth

Foreword Dan Habib

Preface

1 The Fundamentals of Inclusive Education

• Definition of Inclusion
• Rationale for Inclusion
• Core Elements of Inclusive Education
• Conclusions

2 Imagine an Inclusive Vision for Education and Adult Life

• Rationale for Changing the Fundamental View of Students With Disabilities
• Elements of a Vision Statement
• The Process of Developing a Vision Statement
• Conclusions

3 Construct Learning and Communicative Competence

• Rationale for Constructing Learning
• Talk to Students as if They Understand
• Give Students a Way to Communicate All Day Every Day
• Ensure Everything Is Age Appropriate
• Interpret Students' Behavior as Meaningful
• Ensure Students Have Access to Every Part of the General Education Curriculum
• Conclusions

4 Write an Inclusive, Standards-Based Individualized Education Program

• Rationale for Focusing on Student Strengths
• Understand IEP Contents
• Steps to Writing an Inclusive, Standards-Based IEP
• Conclusions

5 Identify Supplementary Aids and Services

• Categories and Examples of Supplementary Aids and Services
• Supports for the Team on Behalf of the Student
• Conclusions

6 Describe Inclusive Team Member Roles and Establish

• Collaborative Teaming Processes
• Inclusive Team Member Roles and Responsibilities
• Team Collaboration
• Conclusions

7 Establish Valued Membership in General Education

• Follow Steps for Students Making the Transition Into a General Education Class
• Create a Welcoming Classroom Community
• Build a Classroom Community That Values Diversity
• Guidelines for Talking About Disability
• Conclusions

8 Facilitate Reciprocal Social Relationships

• Rationale for Facilitating Friendships
• Potential Barriers
• Essential Considerations for Friendship
• Conclusions

9 Develop Learning and Participation Plans and Assess Their Fidelity of Implementation

• Determine What Students Should Be Learning
• Recognize Full Participation Indicators
• Overview: The Learning and Participation Planning Process
• Follow Steps to Complete the Learning and Participation Plan
• Assess the Fidelity of Implementation of Supports
• How to Use the Planning Process in Middle and High School
• Conclusions
• Appendix 9.1: Sample Learning and Participation Plans

10 Plan and Prepare for an Inclusive Life After High School

• Rationale: The Problem With Traditional Transition
• Plan an Inclusive Transition Process
• Transition Services on the IEP
• Prepare for Graduation and a Successful Transition
• Conclusions

11 Solutions to Common Problems and Challenges in Achieving Inclusive Education

• Question 1: From a High School Guidance Counselor
• Question 2: From a Special Education Director
• Question 3: From a Middle School Teacher
• Question 4: From a Special Education Case Manager
• Question 5: From a Head Start Teacher
• Question 6: From a Kindergarten Teacher and Parent
• Question 7: From a Middle School Principal
• Question 8: From a Speech-Language Pathologist
• Question 9: From a Principal
• Question 10: From a Parent
• Question 11: From a Special Education Teacher
• Conclusions

References

Index

"Open any page of this book and you will find real life examples, strategies, and ideas to connect the IEP to learning and participation in inclusive classrooms in easy to use formats. Best of all, owning this book is like having a personal mentor and friend with you on your journey to create inclusive environments where all students can be true members and participants!”"
- Elizabeth Keefe, Emeritus Professor, University of New Mexico

"“Individuals with disabilities, family members, educators, and other allies will find immediate steps in this book to take toward authentic inclusion in education and life. I wish this book had been available when my son was younger!"
- Ricki Sabia, National Down Syndrome Congress Senior Education Policy Advisor