special education

Think Inclusive Podcast Cover Art

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

Podcast Episodes / By /

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.

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

Think Inclusive Cover Art

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

Podcast Episodes / By /

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 This episode delves into how educational structures, often hampered by outdated schedules and siloed learning environments, can truly realize the promise of inclusive education by focusing on system-wide solutions rather than ad-hoc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.

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

Think Inclusive Cover Art

Teaching Regulation as a Developmental Skill in Schools with Leah Kuypers ~ 1335

Podcast Episodes / By /

In this insightful episode of Think Inclusive, hosted by Tim Villegas, listeners explore the essential aspects of creating inclusive environments for students with visual impairments. Jonathan Hooper shares his journey from a general education teacher to a specialist in visual impairments, emphasizing the separation of vision from cognition and the significance of presuming competence. The discussion broadly encompasses the value and implementation of accessibility in educational contexts, ranging from academic subjects to everyday social interactions in lunchrooms and playgrounds.

Teaching Regulation as a Developmental Skill in Schools with Leah Kuypers ~ 1335 Read More »

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 

Blog Articles / By /

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.

Inclusion Doesn’t Have an Eligibility Test  Read More »

Think Inclusive Cover Art

Inclusion for Students with Visual Impairments: Overcoming Barriers Together with Jonathan Hooper ~ 1334

Podcast Episodes / By /

In this insightful episode of Think Inclusive, hosted by Tim Villegas, listeners explore the essential aspects of creating inclusive environments for students with visual impairments. Jonathan Hooper shares his journey from a general education teacher to a specialist in visual impairments, emphasizing the separation of vision from cognition and the significance of presuming competence. The discussion broadly encompasses the value and implementation of accessibility in educational contexts, ranging from academic subjects to everyday social interactions in lunchrooms and playgrounds.

Inclusion for Students with Visual Impairments: Overcoming Barriers Together with Jonathan Hooper ~ 1334 Read More »

People in a crowd clapping during the Summer Institute

Breaking Barriers for Authentic Inclusion

Blog Articles / By /

Breaking Barriers for Authentic Inclusion is a two-day, in-person experience for district and school leaders who know inclusion is more than placement. It’s for the people doing the hard, structural work of building schools where students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and other historically marginalized students are valued, supported, and genuinely part of the community.

Breaking Barriers for Authentic Inclusion Read More »

The world feels upside-down. Here’s how we can move forward.

Blog Articles, Weeklyish / By /

In a world where inclusion often feels like an uphill battle, this edition of the Weeklyish offers 21 practical ways to move inclusive education forward—starting today. Hello inclusionists, We live in a time when it’s easier to criticize than to collaborate. The world feels like it is upside-down. Conversations about education are often hijacked by

The world feels upside-down. Here’s how we can move forward. Read More »

Think Inclusive Podcast Cover

Transforming California Education: EmbraceAbilities Drives Inclusive Change ~ 1245

Podcast Episodes / By /

Watch the episode on YouTube. Transforming California Education: EmbraceAbilitie | RSS.com Show Notes About the Guest(s) Marcia Reily is a Coordinator III with the EmbraceAbilities Grant Project at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Her career focuses on developing inclusive educational systems for students with extensive support needs. With experience as a site administrator,

Transforming California Education: EmbraceAbilities Drives Inclusive Change ~ 1245 Read More »

Think Inclusive Podcast Cover Art

Battle Fatigue: The Fight for Inclusive Education with Dr. Priya Lalvani ~ 1224

Podcast Episodes / By /

Watch the episode now on YouTube. Battle Fatigue: The Fight for Inclusive Education | RSS.com Show Notes About the Guest(s): Dr. Priya Lalvani is a professor of Disability Studies at Montclair State University, where she also coordinates inclusive education graduate programs. Holding a PhD in developmental psychology from CUNY and a Master of Arts in

Battle Fatigue: The Fight for Inclusive Education with Dr. Priya Lalvani ~ 1224 Read More »

What can we help you find?

Scroll to Top