National Inclusive Schools Week: December 3–7, 2012

APS will join school districts and organizations around the country to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week that begins December 3.

The annual observance brings awareness to the work schools must do to ensure a quality education for all children, including students with special needs. This year’s Inclusive Schools Week occurs as our school system continues to revamp the special education department and strengthen inclusive practices taking place in every school. Inclusion is a districtwide priority that is part of our new five-year strategic plan and balanced scorecard. One way we are facilitating greater use of inclusive practices is by providing schools with ongoing training, monitoring and support for co-teaching. During co-teaching, a special education teacher shares instructional duties with a general education teacher so that students with disabilities can spend more time in a general education environment.

When meaningful inclusion occurs – from the application of the core curriculum to after-school activities – research shows that all students benefit.  For more information about the ways our schools will observe Inclusive Schools Week, parents and community members should contact their local school directly.