Do you want to collaborate and share resources with other teachers on-line?

Do you want to create a webpage where students can access resources and information?

Do you want a network where parents can find information and resources that can help them support their child at home?

Using a web page to communicate and post information is a wonderful way to create a collaborative space for teachers, students and parents. Schools administrators and teachers, collaboratively, can
create a school website where educators can post information and share resources with one another. 

This Tip of the Month comes from a workshop presentation done by Roxanne Hoke-Chandler, Massachusetts PIRC @ FCSN and Kim Hunt, President, Massachusetts PTA, at the 2009 Federation for Children with Special Needs' Vision of Community conference.

Research shows that parents have a major influence on a child's achievement. According to a handout prepared by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), when parents are involved, regardless of income or background, children are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, enroll in higher-level programs, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, graduate, and go on to postsecondary education.

Our local Middle School is hosting a scrimmage game that will be with my son's Special Olympic team which consists of both special needs kids and not special needs kids. The team practices each week and they have played a practice game with another middle school's basketball team. This is a great way for our team to incorporate their games into playing with the school's teams. The coaches just let the kids team up and they played together wonderfully. After the game, all the kids from the teams came over to meet our kids and it was a great experience.

Inclusive schools that have maintained success over time have a very important commonality: They engage family members in meaningful school and classroom activities.  Check out the Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Center's state-by-state Directory to find your state's Parent Center and to learn more about the role of parents and families in supporting inclusive education.

Talking about Transition to High School:

A Focus Group Protocol for Families of Students with Disabilities

Featured Resources

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Parent Center Directory

Including Samuel is an excellent resource for schools and organizations looking to foster rich, honest discussion about the benefits and challenges of inclusive education.  The Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) was proud to partner with filmmaker Dan Habib and the Institute on Disability during the 2008 Inclusive Schools Week, and Including Samuel DVDs are now available for purchase through ISN.

Many schools, communities and families around the world use Inclusive Schools Week as an opportunity to celebrate their progress in promoting quality education and better educational outcomes for students with disabilities.  However, it is important to remember that Inclusive Schools Week is also a great opportunity to raise awareness around the benefits of inclusive education for ALL children.  Furthermore, many of ISN's materials and resources can be used to raise awareness and promote inclusive educational practices year-round.  Click on the title or "Read more" for a list of ways to promote Inclusive Schools Week and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices for all students.

“Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children” 

The start of the school year is the perfect time to begin planning your Inclusive Schools Week celebration.  Consider focusing your 2008 celebration on this year’s ISW theme “Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children”.  Inclusive Schools Week offers a great opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of inclusive schools. Click on the title or "Read more" for a list of celebration ideas to make this year’s Week the best yet!

Inclusive schools that have maintained success over time have a very important commonality: They engage family members in meaningful school and classroom activities.  Family structures in our country and around the world are increasingly diverse. Our students come from immigrant families, adoptive families, single-parent households, blended families and other configurations that encourage us to be open-minded and think creatively about ways to foster positive relationships.  Click on the title or "Read more" for ways to encourage family involvement and to keep them involved.