Inclusive Education: What It Is and How to Implement It

Inclusive education means all students, no matter who they are, get equal access to quality learning. It is about encouraging and supporting diversity through a friendly and welcoming learning environment where everyone can learn together.

While this educational approach celebrates what makes each student different, it also emphasizes collaboration and teamwork. It aims to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society where every student has a fair chance to thrive.

Why Inclusive Education Is Important

Inclusivity in education is crucial because it reflects our shared values of diversity and community. It starts in schools, where all students have the opportunity to learn alongside their peers. They learn, grow, and form bonds together regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.

It is about fairness ― ensuring every student has a chance to thrive. It promotes understanding and empathy among students, which contributes to more inclusive societies worldwide.

Beyond academics, inclusive teaching and learning prepare students to be active and compassionate members of their communities. To make it work, schools provide extra support for those in need, and collaboration among teachers, parents, and staff is crucial. Ultimately, the approach is not just about removing barriers; according to UNICEF, it is also about creating a more equitable and kinder society for all.

Principles and Beliefs

The following 10 principles are at the core of inclusive teaching and learning:

1. Equality and non-discrimination: Ensuring all students have equal access to quality education regardless of their abilities, background, or differences.
2. Full participation: Encouraging the full participation of every student in all aspects of school life ― academic, social, and extracurricular activities.
3. Diversity as an asset: Recognizing that differences enhance the learning experience and foster understanding among students.
4. Individualized support: Providing individualized support and accommodations to meet the diverse needs of students.
5. Collaboration: Promoting collaboration among educators, parents, and support staff to create a cohesive and supportive learning environment.
6. Accessible environment: Ensuring physical, instructional, and social environments are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.
7. Respect for differences: Fostering respect for differences and promoting a culture of tolerance and acceptance within the school community.
8. High expectations: Believing every student can achieve their full potential with the right support and opportunities.
9. Continuous improvement: Consistently evaluating and adapting strategies to better meet the needs of students.
10. Social inclusion: Prioritizing social inclusion and helping students to develop positive relationships, a sense of belonging, and a supportive peer network.

The Inclusive Education Action Group captured these principles around the following fundamental beliefs:

• All students have the right to learn together, fostering relationships, skills, and everyday knowledge.
• No person, regardless of disability, ethnicity, culture or any other factor, should be excluded from full participation in education alongside his or her peers.
• Education plays a crucial role in preparing individuals to be active citizens in a democratic society.
• To achieve inclusive education, the education system must undergo changes including allocating resources, developing understanding, embracing values, and demonstrating a commitment to educating all children in settings free from discrimination.
• Inclusion is a process that involves eliminating barriers to ensure that all children can participate fully and learn without hindrance.

Types of Inclusive Education

Schools looking to implement inclusive teaching and learning must recognize that different students have unique needs, so choosing the right type of inclusive education is important. Here are the common options:

Full Inclusion

In this model, all students, including those with disabilities, learn together in the same classroom. The idea is that everyone belongs there. However, it is essential to keep an eye on how well the model is working and make adjustments as needed. Schools should consider implementing a partial inclusion plan if the full inclusion model is overwhelming.

Partial Inclusion

In this teaching model, students who require additional support still spend most of their time in the regular classroom but also get extra help outside the classroom from educational experts, including special education teachers.

This flexibility allows students to learn where it is best for them, especially when providing additional support (such as speech-based lessons).

Mainstreaming

With this method, students with disabilities start in a separate classroom and can transition into the regular classroom when they are making good progress and feel ready. It is a gentler transition, allowing students to gradually become part of the fully inclusive classroom one step at a time.

Keep in mind that one approach is not necessarily better than the other. Instead, they all aim to make sure every student gets the support he or she needs while learning alongside his or her peers. Schools should focus on finding the right fit for each student’s unique requirements.

Benefits of Inclusive Education

Inclusive education isn’t just a buzzword in learning environments; it is a transformative approach that brings together students of all backgrounds and abilities. It celebrates diversity ― fostering empathy among students and encouraging them to value and respect differences.

However, the benefits are not limited to social interactions; instead, it ensures fairness and equal opportunities for every student as well as boosts self-esteem and academic performance especially for those who may need extra support. It also serves as a platform for honing communication skills as students interact with peers from various backgrounds.

Teachers who lead in an inclusive environment are like educational champions; they employ a range of teaching methods to cater to different student learning styles. Whether a student is a visual learner, an auditory learner, or prefers hands-on activities, inclusive education ensures there’s a suitable approach.

Additionally, inclusive education is a potent weapon against discrimination and bullying. It highlights the belief that education isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach but about finding the right fit for each student.

How to Implement Inclusive Education in the Classroom

Creating an inclusive classroom is a collaborative effort that involves teachers, parents, and students. Together, they build a learning environment where everyone feels at home.

Here are some key steps to implement inclusive education in the classroom:

• Flexible teaching: Teachers adapt their teaching methods to suit different learning needs, making sure every student can grasp the material.
• Respect and understanding: The entire school community should promote an environment where students understand and appreciate each other’s differences.
• Individualized support: Schools should provide extra help or accommodations for students who need them, tailoring the approach to each student’s unique needs.
• Encourage participation: Teachers should create opportunities for all students to actively engage in classroom activities and discussions.
• Open communication: Keep communication lines open between teachers, parents, and students to address concerns and make necessary adjustments.
• Anti-bullying measures: Schools should implement strategies to prevent bullying and promote respect among students.
• Regular evaluation: Periodically assess the effectiveness of inclusive practices and make improvements as needed.

Conclusion

Boosting student confidence begins by giving everyone equal learning chances and celebrating diversity no matter our differences. An inclusive environment empowers students to thrive both inside and outside school and provides everyone with an equal opportunity to learn.

Moreover, schools should help teachers and professionals with the necessary training and resources for inclusive education. Additionally, using efficient master schedule software like Cardonex makes classroom organization a breeze and encourages inclusivity.

If your school is interested in new ways to improve the learning experience for children, you may also be interested in automating tasks and streamlining processes so that your teachers have more time to teach. Education Advanced offers a large suite of tools that may be able to help. For example, three of our most popular and effective tools are:

• Cardonex, our master schedule software, helps schools save time on building master schedules. Many schools used to spend weeks using whiteboards to organize the right students, teachers, and classrooms into the right order so that students could graduate on time and get their preferred classes. However, Cardonex is used to expedite a more efficient and inclusive master schedule delivering 90% of students' first-choice classes within a couple of days.
• Testhound, our test accommodation software, helps schools coordinate thousands of students across all state and local K-12 school assessments while taking into account dozens of accommodations (reading disabilities, physical disabilities, translations, etc.) for students.
• Pathways, our college and career readiness software, helps administrators and counselors create, track, and analyze graduation pathways to ensure secondary students are on track to graduate.
• Evaluation, our teacher evaluation software, which documents every step of the staff evaluation process, including walk-throughs, self-evaluations, supporting evidence, reporting, and performance analytics.