An Introduction to Inclusive Education

by Whitney H. Rapp, Ph.D. and Katrina L. Arndt, Ph.D. St. John Fisher College

Contents

1. Why Does Teaching Everyone Matter? The History of Special Education

   • Construction of Ability and Disability, Intersections of Ability, Race, and Gender
   • Disability Throughout History
   • How Race, Gender, and Disability Are Socially Constructed
   • How the Social Construction of Disability Affects Education and Schooling
   • Narrative 1.1. Keith Jones

2. History of Special Education

   • Education in the United States
   • The Development of Special Education
   • What We Want to See
   • Narrative 2.1. Larry Bissonnette

3. Special Education Law and Legislation

   • The Road Traveled
   • Narrative 3.1. Dr. David

4. Development in the Context of Disability

   • What Teachers Should Know About Child and Adolescent Development
   • Narrative 5.1. Cady Welch

5. Classroom Management

   • Building Community
   • Classroom Management
   • Special Education and Classroom Management
   • Narrative 6.1. Rachel Zindler

6. Differentiation

   • A Conceptual Framework for Successful Differentiation
   • Narrative 7.1. Sam Rapp
   • Differentiation of Instruction
   • Narrative 7.2. Matt Giordano
   • Considerations and Classroom Cases

7. Universal Design for Learning

   • Definition of Universal Design for Learning
   • Why Universal Design for Learning?
   • Principles of Universal Design for Learning

8. Reading Strategies for All Students

   • Reading Instruction and Access to Instruction
   • Least Dangerous Assumption
   • Digital Media, Common Core State Standards, and Response to Intervention (RTI)
   • Strategies for Engagement, Input, Output, and Assessment
   • Narrative 13.1. Joellen Maples

9. Writing Strategies for All Students

   • Components of Writing
   • Strategies for Engagement, Input, Output, and Assessment

10. Social Studies Strategies for All Students

• Strategies for Teaching Social Studies to All Students

11. Math Strategies for All Students

• Strategies for Teaching Math to All Students
• Narrative 16.1. Michael, High School Math Teacher

12. Science Strategies for All Students

About the Authors

Whitney Rapp, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Inclusive Education, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York. Dr. Rapp teaches courses on inclusive education pedagogy, assessment, classroom management, and diversity issues. Her research interests include universal design for learning and differentiation of instruction.

Katrina L. Arndt, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Inclusive Education, St. John Fisher College. Dr. Arndt teaches courses in inclusive pedagogy and has a research focus on inclusive practices in schooling, especially for children and youth who are visually impaired, blind, and deafblind.

CHAPTER 10 Collaboration

How this chapter prepares you to be an effective inclusive classroom teacher:

• Importance of valuing all family groupings and being sensitive to diversity.
• Components of collaboration and importance of good collaborative skills.
• Understanding that teachers are viewed as specialists by many stakeholders.

Collaboration Best Practices

What is collaboration? Collaboration happens when two or more people talk to each other and work to meet a common goal. It's crucial in today's teaching environment.

Best Practices in Collaboration

1. Knowing Your Strengths and the Strengths of Others
   • Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory help understand personal and others' preferences.
2. Expressing and Receiving Information
   • Good communication involves speaking clearly and making materials accessible.
3. Knowing When to Ask for Help
   • Recognizing the value of multiple perspectives enhances collaboration.
4. Sharing a Common Goal
   • Teachers must articulate their goals to prevent misunderstandings and ensure alignment.
5. Being Flexible and Taking Risks
   • Embracing new ideas and methods is essential for effective teaching.

Table 10.1. Learning preferences and styles

Table 10.2. Ways to connect with families

• Send a postcard home before the start of the school year.
• Greet families outside the school as they come in.
• Write a class newsletter each week.
• Start a math-games night to engage families.
• Be open and welcoming of family visitors.

HOME–SCHOOL COLLABORATION

The National Association of School Psychologists defines home–school collaboration as families and educators working together to develop shared goals and plans that support all students.