The journey to becoming an Inclusive School may be long and challenging at times, but ultimately this journey can strengthen a school community and benefit ALL children.  "Inclusion" does not simply mean the placement of students with disabilities in general education classes.  This process must incorporate fundamental change in the way a school community supports and addresses the individual needs of each child.  As such, effective models of inclusive education not only benefit students with disabilities, but also create an environment in which every student, including those who do not have disabilities, has the opportunity to flourish.  Click on the title or "read more" to learn about ways in which inclusive educational practices build a school's capacity to educate all learners effectively.

Inclusive Schools Week is an opportunity for schools, communities and familes around the world to celebrate their progress in promoting quality education for all children while also educating those around them about inclusive education.  By celebrating the Week, you and your organization not only help to raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices; you also help to sustain the Inclusive Schools Network in its mission of "Supporting Inclusive Education Worldwide".  Click on the title or "Read more" for some suggestions how you can help to make this year's Week a great success.

There are many students, both with and without disabilities, who struggle with math.  Not only are these students at a disadvantage in terms of the practical skills they will need throughout their lives, but they also often miss out on the fun and beauty that can be found in the world of mathematics.  Mathematics is more than numbers and basic operations; it is a pure logic system and a language all its own, and the discipline that connects all other disciplines.  Educators and families can open up this world to all students by finding ways to make math education engaging and accessible.  Click on the title or "Read more" for a list of helpful hints and strategies.

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!

For many children and families, summer is a nice break from the routines and demands of the regular school year.  However, there is evidence that most students experience some loss of skills during this extended vacation, and that some students with disabilities show significant skills regression in the absence of structured, daily instruction.  So while summer is a time for children to relax and play, it can also provide many unique and rich opportunities for learning, skill-building and skills-maintenance.  Click on the title or "Read more" for ideas on how parents and educators can help students make the most of summer.

Transition Planning is a crucial step in helping students with disabilities achieve stable, positive post-secondary outcomes. The transition planning process helps to establish a common understanding among the student, his/her family, and school staff around the student’s needs and goals.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that Transition Planning begin by age 14 and that Transition Services begin by age 16, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what a student will need to make a successful transition to adulthood.  As the end of the school year approaches, there are many opportunities to help students think about their future.  Click on the title or "Read more" for more information on Transition Planning.

In this age of accountability, statewide student assessments have become a central focus every spring for students, teachers and families.  High-stakes testing requires the school community to invest significant amounts of time and attention in this process, and so we want to ensure that students with and without disabilities have the best possible outcomes.  For students with disabilities, it is important to make sure that testing accommodations are properly implemented so that they can fully demonstrate their knowledge and skills on these assessments.  Preparation is the key to success!  Click on the title or "Read more" to view tips for teachers, test coordinators and test administrators.

Khooneh takouni, which translates to "shaking the house" is a Persian ritual of spring cleaning that precedes the Persian New Year each spring.  The ritual of spring cleaning, in many cultures, provides a fresh start as we enter the season of new beginnings. As trees bloom and flowers blossom many people enjoy a renewed sense of empowerment and life.

Unfortunately, many of our students see the spring only as the beginning of the end of the year and the last hurdle before summer vacation.  Students who have not experienced academic or social success during the early part of the school year will often "cash out" in the spring while they await the reprieve of the summer months.  With the same enthusiasm evoked by spring cleaning and renewal, teachers can motivate students to consider this season a time of new beginnings.  Click on the title or "Read more" for ideas about renewing your students' sense of interest, enthusiasm and eagerness to succeed.

Common planning time among educators is a crucial element in the success of an inclusive school.  Planning time helps improve instruction by allowing teachers to share best practices, look at students' work, and plan curriculum and lessons together.  In order for planning to contribute meaningfully to curriculum development and implementation, sufficient time should be built into the schedule rather than carved out of before and after school time.  Common planning time should be considered a district-wide and school-wide matter. Click on the title or "Read more" for ideas about how districts, schools and individual teachers can maximize the time and resources that they have available.