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This document has been archived because some of the information it contains may be out of date. (Effective June 2009)

Inclusive School Communities: 10 Reasons Why

Educators, students and families have found many compelling reasons to support inclusive education, including the following:

• Preparation for Community Life as an Adult. Inclusive schools provide the opportunity for students with and without disabilities to experience diversity as a natural part of life in communities.
• A Sense of Belonging. Inclusive education facilitates belonging for students with disabilities.
• Varied Learning Opportunities. Students with disabilities are exposed to a wider range of learning opportunities in general education environments.
• Differentiated Instruction. Differentiation to meet diverse student needs allows educational teams to expand the ways in which they effectively teach all students.
• Individualized Education. Individualized educational programs allow students with disabilities to experience the benefits of participating with peers in general education activities, while attending to their specific learning needs.
• Effective Use of Instructional Resources. Resources, especially instructional personnel, can be leveraged to create more effective and efficient learning for all students in inclusive schools.
• Team-Building for School Improvement. The collaborative teamwork required for inclusive education builds staff relationships that support collegiality and other school-wide initiatives.
• Friendships with Peers. As students with and without disabilities interact as classmates, friendships can develop.
• Parental Involvement. Parents of students with disabilities are more involved with their local schools and communities when their children are included.
• Support of Civil Rights. Inclusion is a civil rights issue.

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