Inclusive Education

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to speak to each staff about the philosophy of inclusive education.  These presentations were intended to be an “introduction” to the philosophy, will be instituted through thoughtfuwith specific staff development to follow. 
As with any new philosophy, phases of implementation l planning and preparation.  As I previously stated, this is not an initiative to “dump” students with disabilities into general education classrooms.  Inclusive educations’ intention is to appropriately educate all children in the general education environment to the maximum extent possible. 
The state’s goal for our district is a 5% increase of students being educated in the general education classroom >80% of their school day by January 2011.  To some buildings this may mean only a few students in order to achieve this goal;  however if we are to truly embrace the philosophy of inclusion, this will be the goal for as many students as possible.  If we do not meet the goal of a 5% increase, the state has the authority to redirect our special education funding. 
As expected, there will be many questions that arise through this process.  The goal of inclusive education is not without its challenges; however my hope is that we will work together in our efforts. 
“I see inclusion as probably the last frontier of desegregation.” - Joe Petner