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UNICEF estimates that there are鈥�鈥痺ith disabilities around the globe. These children have dreams and ambitions for their futures as much as anyone. A quality education with鈥痠nclusion鈥痠n standard classrooms is needed to help them develop their knowledge and skills, so they too can reach their full potential.听

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Why鈥痠nclusive practices鈥痑re essential in education听

Inclusive practices鈥痠n education鈥痚xamine how lessons, programs, classrooms, and schools are constructed. Inclusive education means creating an atmosphere where鈥�all鈥痵tudents have the opportunity to participate and learn.鈥疘nclusive practices鈥痑re essential in education because every student deserves to experience and learn in an atmosphere of respect where they can develop and maintain friendships with other students and teachers in their schools and communities.听

Inclusive education proposes that鈥�all鈥痗hildren have a right to the鈥�same鈥痚ducation. It鈥檚 not something that can or should be earned, and it鈥檚 not something that a child must prepare and get ready for. It is an inherent right.听

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What is inclusive education?听

Simply put, it is the best way to provide all kids a fair chance to attend school and learn and develop the skills needed to thrive. Inclusive education means the integration or鈥痠nclusion鈥痮f all students in the same classrooms and in the same schools, without exception. This includes the integration or鈥痠nclusion鈥痮f students with special needs.听

It also means a student鈥檚 鈥減articularities鈥� should be regarded as elements of鈥�鈥痠nstead of a problem. This translates into real learning opportunities for kids who have often been excluded, including those with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English.听听

Inclusive educational systems understand the importance of the unique contributions students from diverse backgrounds bring to the鈥痗lassroom, benefiting the class as a whole. This kind of educational process identifies obstacles that any student may face and works to remove those barriers.听

Inclusive teaching鈥痬eans all students are included in the classroom routines. It is, in fact, considered a crime not to accept them or even provide for their needs in any鈥痗lassroom鈥痮r school.听

A lot of creative thinking is required on the part of instructors to produce an environment where all kids feel comfortable enough to participate. Instructors will need to learn how to teach in new and unique ways to meet the鈥痭eeds of all students鈥痠n their classrooms so that every child can be involved.听

Broadly stated, inclusive education beliefs and principles maintain that all kids:听

• Can learn听
• Can attend age-appropriate regular classrooms听
• Should receive a curriculum that is relevant and needs-driven听
• Should receive suitable educational programs听
• Should have opportunities to partake in co-curricular and extracurricular activities听
• Should have collaboration and cooperation at home, school, and in the community听

It is the foundation that creates a lifetime of acceptance and appreciation for all students.听

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What is an inclusive鈥痗lassroom, and why is it important?听

An inclusive鈥痗lassroom鈥痠s designed to include students with disabilities, impairments, and special needs in age-appropriate, general education environments so they can learn among their peers.听听

The definition is evolving; however, it means to be inclusive in many other situations, not just鈥痵pecial education.听

An inclusive鈥痗lassroom鈥痑ddresses the鈥痭eeds of all students鈥痠ncluding those:听

• With intellectual, emotional, developmental and physical disabilities听
• Who speak languages other than English听
• With different religious backgrounds听
• From diverse social and economic backgrounds听
• With various sexual orientations听

An inclusive鈥痗lassroom鈥痚nsures all students are treated respectfully and have access to general education and technology.鈥疘nclusive teaching鈥痯ractices鈥痗lose the gap between the 鈥渉aves鈥� and the 鈥渉ave-nots,鈥� and reduces the impact of prejudices in society.听

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What does an inclusive鈥痗lassroom鈥痩ook like?听

In an inclusive鈥痗lassroom, all students experience respect and have a sense of belonging. When鈥痠nclusive teaching鈥痯ractices鈥痑re used, you can have/expect:听

• High expectations for all students听
• Instruction is based on school- or state-adopted standards听
• Individualized support to be available when needed听

In an inclusive鈥痗lassroom, the uniqueness of every child is honored. Effective鈥痠nclusive practices鈥痑ddress the services provided rather than where the services are offered. The values associated with鈥痠nclusive teaching鈥痳evolve around respect and relationships while鈥痶he needs of all students鈥痑re addressed.听

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How to introduce inclusive strategies to your鈥痗lassroom听

Inclusive learning鈥痬eans all students have access to flexible learning opportunities. They are given effective methods to assist them in achieving their educational goals in environments where a sense of belonging is experienced. In an inclusive educational environment, all students,鈥� 鈥� regardless of disability or ability 鈥�, experience learning in the same age-appropriate environment.听

How is all of this accomplished in a鈥痗lassroom? These four specific strategies can be implemented to help you meet the鈥痭eeds of all students鈥痠n a鈥痗lassroom.听

• Create an accessible鈥痗lassroom鈥痓y utilizing the鈥�听
• Use a variety of鈥痶eaching methods, giving each child the opportunity to learn in ways that work best for them听
• Familiarize yourself with each of your student鈥檚鈥�听
• 颁谤别补迟别鈥�鈥痶o prepare for times when students exhibit disruptive behaviors听

When introducing inclusive education strategies into your鈥痗lassroom,鈥�. Begin with a single lesson or activity. Build upon that success, branching out to other areas of the curriculum. Remember that every guideline does not apply to every single lesson. Guidelines are only applicable to the relevancy of your learning goals.听

鈥�(Association of College and University Educators) offers鈥�鈥痶han can be used immediately in the planning and implementation of鈥痗lassroom鈥痑ctivities.听

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Do children leave regular classrooms for instruction with inclusive education?听

Inclusive education means that kids are educated in regular classrooms; however, it doesn鈥檛 mean that a child cannot leave the鈥痗lassroom鈥痜or individualized instruction. A child may need one-on-one support in a specific subject area, which may occur during regular class time. With鈥痠nclusive teaching鈥痬ethods, serious thought must be given to how the support is to be provided, in and out of the regular鈥痗lassroom. It does not mean, however, that students needing support are grouped together and placed in a separate鈥痗lassroom鈥痜or all or part of a school day.听

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How can teachers determine if鈥痠nclusive practices鈥痑re working?听

In an鈥痠nclusive teaching鈥痚nvironment, all kids and their families are equally valued and deserve respect and access to the same educational opportunities. But how do you know if the strategies you are using are working for all students and their families?听

In classrooms where鈥痠nclusive teaching鈥痯ractices鈥痟ave been employed, students should experience increases in these areas:听

• Communication and social skills听
• Literacy skills听
• s听
• Focused learning time听
• Relationships and friendships听

Special education鈥痶eachers in inclusive classrooms are to conduct regular assessments to ensure students are meeting their academic goals. Lessons must also be evaluated periodically to establish that they are adequately challenging to the student without being overwhelming.听

Students requiring and receiving supportive services should feel self-confident and independent in a standard educational setting while support services are utilized. Periodic IEP meetings with students, their families, and staff should take place to ascertain whether changes should be made to the student鈥檚 IEP.听

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Read about how 听is paving the way for special education teachers.听