Katie Novak | Common Misconceptions About UDL
Today on the podcast, a conversation with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) expert, Katie Novak. We talk about some common misconceptions of UDL, how UDL works with students with more significant disabilities, and what it is was like to lead her school district to implement inclusive education.Katie is the author of several books, including:Equity by Design: […]
Why I Call Myself An Inclusionist
Today on the podcast, a rare solo episode about why I call myself an inclusionist. For some, the word “inclusionist” has a negative association. I make the case that there is more to the word than just believing that we should get rid of special education or that inclusion only counts if it is “100%.” […]
The Best of Think Inclusive Volume 1
Since I started the podcast in 2012, I’ve always wanted to do a “best of” podcast! Today, we are highlighting five conversations that I had from the early years of the podcast. Paula Kluth talks about why some schools aren’t as inclusive as they think they are. Dan Habib discusses how Positive Behavioral Interventions and […]
When You Include Students, They Learn More, Achieve More, and Are More Engaged
In 2003, Cecil County Public Schools (CCPS) educated students with significant disabilities very differently than they do now. At the time, they were known as a “center school district,” meaning students with significant disabilities were bussed away from their neighborhood schools to attend specialized schools. “There was never even an idea that a child with […]
Shelley Moore | What Is All The Fuss About Baked Potatoes?
Today on the podcast we talk to Shelley Moore, inclusive education consultant and presenter extraordinaire! We talk about what her path looked like to become a special education teacher and why she cares about inclusive education so much. Also, we discuss the major differences between Canada’s educational systems and the United States are regarding special education. […]
Jennifer Spencer-Iiams | Leading for All: How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools
Today on the podcast, Jennifer Spencer-Iiams, Assistant Superintendent for the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, talks to us about the transformation in her district toward inclusive practices. Her book, Leading for All: How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools, shares lessons learned from years building district schools where all students are served in their neighborhood […]
Amy Langerman, Amanda Selogie & Vickie Brett | LRE
Discussions around the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for students with disabilities are almost always tricky. For this episode, we attempt to make LRE a little more understandable. We interview Amy Langerman, special education advocate and attorney in California and Arizona. We discuss the difficulty of some parents seeking the Least Restrictive Environment for their child […]
Carol Quirk | Systems Change and Inclusive Education
Today on the podcast, my interview with Carol Quirk (CEO of the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education). We discuss what it really takes for school systems to move to a model where 90% of all students with disabilities are included in general education classrooms. It is not only a pipe dream. This episode’s transcript can […]
BONUS: To Waiver or Not To Waiver / Betsy DeVos Gives Her Recommendations to Congress
For so many of us, whether you are an educator, parent, or both, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a strain on all of us. And in late March, when word got out that Betsy DeVos was going to possibly recommend waiving part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) because of the hardship that […]
Including Students with Intellectual Disabilities in General Education
Today on the podcast, we are going to talk about modifying curriculum. For my students back in Pasadena, CA, according to their IEP, the team agreed that this was the best way to access the curriculum. To take a part of the standards and then modify it down to where they were able to meaningfully […]