Implementing Inclusion
We invite you to contact DSG if you would like to request a peer presentation or training for your school district. Every year the DSG celebrates National Inclusive Schools Week the first week in December by sending out celebration kits to school districts. Learn more about the campaign, and request your own celebration kit!
Inclusion Solutions Eblasts
The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City offers resources for parents and educational professionals to better serve children with Down syndrome. We offer a variety of publications and trainings to assist educators. Please review our most recent issue of DSG's Inclusion Solutions Newsletter which is chock full of tips and tools for educators who are doing amazing things with students who have Down syndrome. See past issues of Inclusion Solutions below.
Inclusion Videos
Dr. Julie Causton spent her entire career becoming a leader in the field of Inclusive Education. She is an Associate Professor at Syracuse University in the Inclusive and Special Education Program, and also provides educational consulting to school districts all over the United States on best practices for inclusive classrooms. Watch her 3 part video series on inclusion education!
INCLUSION RESEARCH
Need proof on why INCLUSION is the best practice? Take a look at two studies about inclusion:
Spotlight TEDx Talk: Why separating kids with disabilities from their peers hurts instead of helps
Include, Belong, Learn, a 2010 study by George Theoharis and Julie Causton-Theoharis at two schools share research about assessment and inclusion; and the true effect on test-scores.
October 2010 | Volume 68 | Number 2
Interventions That Work
Participation Support
Visit Project Participate to see how they provide families, educators, administrators and therapists with simple strategies to increase the active participation of students wtih disabilities in school programs. Project Participate facilitates team collaboration and promotes the appropriate uses of technology in the classroom.
What is Active Participation?
Being there is not enough. Students with disabilities benefit from placement in general education classrooms when they are given opportunities to actively participate! Often teams underestimate student abilities and mistake passivity for participation. This handout compares and contrasts active and passive participation to inspire teams to raise their expectations.
The National Inclusion Project has created a model that builds inclusive friendships for all children, so no one sits on the sidelines. With the Science of Friendship, practitioners in recreation, camp and after school settings create an environment where friendship blooms. It’s a powerful position, but we know you can do it!
More Inclusion Resources
Inclusion University: A website designed to support teachers, administrators and families.
8 Inclusion Mistakes Great Teachers Make
New Roles for Educators in Inclusive Environments
Including Students with Down Syndrome with their Typical Peers
The Inclusive Class Great site for inclusion information and updates.
Check out the Inclusive Class Binder to save yourself time and energy and get great practical hints!
Inclusion Works! Tips & Resources
Universal design for learning and differentiated classrooms shares The Golden Rule of Providing Support in Inclusive Classrooms: Support Others as You Would Wish to Be Supported