Special Education

4 Things No One Tells You About Inclusive Schools

There is quite a bit of research that has proven inclusive schools to be extremely beneficial to students of all abilities.  This research usually highlights several key areas in which students with special needs and typically developing students both benefit from inclusive environments. Students in inclusive schools are known to form meaningful relationships, have the same learning opportunities and high academic expectations as one another, and learn to respect the diverse nature of humankind. However, in addition to these very important, key benefits of inclusive education there are several that are not widely known about unless you have worked with or within an inclusive school. Here are some more benefits inclusive school systems that you may not know about:

1. Community

Inclusive schools are known to offer strong educational programs because of the need to reach all learners in the class. In addition, inclusive schools do an excellent job of supporting the social and emotional development of children. This lesser known attribute is derived from the sense of community in an inclusive school. Since inclusive schools embrace its members despite ability, background or skill level, the members of these school communities enjoy the benefits of belonging, support and stability.

2. Collaborative

Inclusive schools not only include staff and students, but a wide variety of support personnel.  This support personnel helps develop and implement the goals and accommodations of learners with special needs. Team members must meet, work together, share information and provide results with one another in order to ensure educational success. Students and parents benefit from this collaboration in many ways. For example, there is more than one professional assessing a child’s abilities, and there is vast array of knowledge that goes into program planning.

3. Creative

Inclusive schools are extremely creative. They are creative with their time, resources, staff allocations, scheduling and planning.  With the goal to include all students regardless of their ability level, there is a considerable amount of flexibility and accommodation in educational programming. Teachers are constantly planning and looking for solutions to meet student needs.  This creativity creates a dynamic and energetic environment for all members of the school community.

4. Continuing Education

Inclusive schools stay informed of the latest developments in best educational practice in order to better the experiences of its students. Teachers and staff are often engaged in workshops and meetings to improve their professional knowledge. Assistive technology, class materials, resources and new programs are explored and used to make the curriculum more accessible. Thus, the school community truly becomes an institution of learning where all its members actively participate in the education process.