Just Being IN Isn't The Goal.

Inclusive Education is the goal.

As parents, educators, and self-advocates we know "Butts in Seats" is not what we are advocating for. 

Now if we were running as restaurant, that would be a different story.

Yes, we have students that have gotten more than their foot into a general education classroom...they might have a seat at the back table with a paraprofessional...or maybe they have a desk next to other students and spend their time doing something entirely unrelated to what classmates are doing...

Their IEP may even have it checked that they are in the general education classroom for at least 80% of the day.  Impressive?

Think again, look at this statistic.
 

Only 17.9% of students with intellectual disabilities were included 80% or more of the school day during the 2020-2021 school year.

And then I ask myself, hmm, I wonder what percentage of the 17.9% of students with intellectual disabilities are actively participating, learning beside their classmates and being seen as a competent learner?

Click here to see the latest statistics from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

If you want to start a campaign for

More Than Minutes In Classrooms

let me know.

If you want to learn more, tune in this Thursday, Sept. 29th at Noon Mtn. Time.

You'll need to register in order to get the Zoom link.

Click here to register for this free presentation.

Tegan Maestretti is facilitating this month long speaker series about the benefits of inclusion for her honors thesis at 

Arizona State University.

Thank you Tegan for being a Change-Maker!

 I'm honored to be part of this video series sponsored by 

Arizona TASH on Disability and Inclusion.

Let's keep working for systemic change!  It will create ripple effects for all students!

Charmaine