inclusive education

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Shattered and Becoming: Andrew Goff and the Weight of Being Enough ~ 1402

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Andrew Goff returns to Think Inclusive to talk about his final year in the classroom and the book he spent ten years learning how to write. A new principal arrived with an interpretation of a legal guideline that barred Spanish in a classroom where three-quarters of the children were dual language learners and two of the teaching assistants were fluent speakers. Andrew complied as far as he could, then discovered the policy said nothing of the kind.

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Think College: A Series on Changing Mindset Around Who College Is For

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For a long time, college wasn’t part of the conversation for students with intellectual disability. Right now, only 2 percent of school-age students with intellectual disability go to college. That’s changing. Across the country, a growing number of colleges and universities are building programs where these students take classes, live in the dorms, hold jobs,

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Blog header Authors and Advocates Who Have Shaped Think Inclusive

Authors and Advocates Who Have Shaped Think Inclusive

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As we return to another school year, we’re taking a look at some of the voices that have shaped Think Inclusive. Since 2012, the podcast has featured hundreds of conversations, many with disabled authors and self-advocates. Here are just a few: Disabled authors on the podcast Eric Garcia, We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism ConversationEric

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Navigating Identity: Poetry, Disability, and Inclusion Advocacy with LeDerick Horne ~ 1339

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In this insightful episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas is joined by LeDerick Horne, a distinguished advocate for inclusive education and a spoken word poet. The conversation delves into the implications of labeling in education and the transformative power of truly inclusive environments. As someone who has navigated the challenges of a learning disability, Horne shares his journey and the significance of acknowledging disability as a political identity.

Navigating Identity: Poetry, Disability, and Inclusion Advocacy with LeDerick Horne ~ 1339 Read More »

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Building Inclusive Schools: A Journey of Transformation and Belonging with Angela Macklin and Sue Wright ~ 1338

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In this enlightening episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages with Angela Macklin and Sue Wright to uncover what happens when a school stops waiting for the ideal inclusive blueprint and takes matters into its own hands. At the heart of Cottage Lake Elementary’s transformation lies a commitment to fostering inclusive educational spaces where every student is valued and no classrooms are segregated. Through their account, Angela and Sue provide insider insights into creating schools where each child truly belongs, recounting their journey of trial, error, and ultimate success.

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Shifting Focus from Compliance to Outcomes in Education with Glenna Wright-Gallo ~ 1336

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In this riveting episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas speaks with Glenna Wright-Gallo about the pressing need to shift from a compliance-focused model to outcomes-focused education within special education systems. Glenna brings a wealth of knowledge from her extensive career in education advocacy, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational practices with the intent of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to create systems that genuinely serve all learners. This episode delves into how educational structures, often hampered by outdated schedules and siloed learning environments, can truly realize the promise of inclusive education by focusing on system-wide solutions rather than ad-hoc heroics.

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Graphic with headline 'Inclusion Doesn't Have an Eligibility Test' above a screenshot of a Baltimore Banner article by Talia Richman titled 'Students with disabilities are getting derailed from a diploma — in kindergarten,' with the MCIE logo below.

Inclusion Doesn’t Have an Eligibility Test 

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Every learner belongs with their peers and deserves high expectations. For decades, inclusion advocates have championed this message, backed by research showing that students with disabilities do better, academically and socially, when they are full members of general education classrooms.

That belief gets tested most when a student is very young, and the systems around them start narrowing their future before anyone can know what that future should look like.

A recent Baltimore Banner article by Talia Richman shines a light on this issue. The article reports that roughly 1,660 Maryland students in pre-K through second grade have been identified this year to learn using the Maryland Alternate Framework.

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Advocating for Full Inclusion: Every Student Deserves Belonging with Sandra McElwee ~ 1329

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In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in a compelling conversation with Sandra McElwee, a pioneering advocate for inclusive education. As the mother of Sean, famously known from the TV show “Born This Way,” Sandra shares her journey of challenging educational norms to ensure her son had an inclusive education from the 1990s onwards. This episode explores the transformative power of inclusion in schools and the uphill battle families often face within the educational system.

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Building Inclusive Schools: From Belief to Practice with Michele Gardner ~ 1328

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In this insightful episode of “Think Inclusive,” Tim Villegas hosts Michelle Gardner, interim CEO of All In for Inclusive Education, to discuss the intricacies of systemic change towards inclusive education. Tim and Michelle delve into how schools and districts can transform inclusive education from a mere belief to a practice embraced in every classroom. They explore core themes of systems change, capacity building, and mindset shift in educational environments, spotlighting the journey from exclusionary practices to inclusive excellence.

Building Inclusive Schools: From Belief to Practice with Michele Gardner ~ 1328 Read More »

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