Pathways to Inclusive Practices: Systems Oriented, Policy-Linked, and Research-Based Strategies That Work
Department
Secondary and Middle Grades Education
Document Type
Book
Publication Date
2001
Abstract
This guidebook describes large scale change strategies to develop inclusive approaches to educational policy and practice at the state and district levels. The information was developed under the auspices of a 5-year federally funded project, "The Consortium on Inclusive Schooling Practices," which gathered and synthesized information about systemic change related to the incorporation of students with disabilities in general education systems. The project included in-depth work in three states over 4 years and also involved collaboration with individuals involved in systems change efforts focused on inclusive schooling practices in 18 other states. Individual sections of the guide focus on the following aspects: (1) an introduction to the defining elements of the approach; (2) developing inclusive philosophy, policies, structures, and practices; (3) capacity building; (4) approaching change systemically; (5) linking change to policy; (6) using general education as a context; and (7) pitfalls and difficult situations. A summarizing table lists the strategies and challenges addressed across key areas of the large-scale change framework.