Inclusion Blog

Inclusive Schooling Blog

How to Balance Measurability and Meaning in IEP Goals

How to Balance Measurability and Meaning in IEP Goals

How do you ensure IEP goals and objectives that are not only legally defensible, but meaningful to students and their families? It seems like a lifetime ago, when at the University of Oregon, I asked a fellow doctoral student, “How do you know what criteria to write...

Bag the behavior charts!

Bag the behavior charts!

A teacher shared a story with us about how one time when using behavior charts, she was moving a student's clip from yellow to red, and the student said, “Good! Go ahead! Then I don’t have to listen to you for the rest of the day!” This is every teacher’s worst...

It’s Time to Flip Behavior Cards and Charts to STOP!

It’s Time to Flip Behavior Cards and Charts to STOP!

  Public displays of children's behaviors need to stop! Based on our experiences, and the opinions and findings of others, our stand is that publicly tracking children's behavior from a deficit orientation is ineffective, unethical, and indeed, harmful. In equal part,...

The Power of “No”: Unleashing Our Inner Toddler as Leaders

The Power of “No”: Unleashing Our Inner Toddler as Leaders

Do you struggle with setting clear boundaries? Are you constantly torn between saying "Yes" out loud while screaming "NO!" on the inside? As leaders, we all face the challenge of knowing when to say "Yes," when to say "No," or when to say "Maybe later." So why is it...

Lifelines that help children “get on board”

Lifelines that help children “get on board”

Despite the common practice of not giving attention to a student that is upset in some way, it is at that very moment that the child NEEDS our attention the most. Maybe you were told to ignore it because others have told you to ignore “attention seeking behaviors”...

Moving Beyond Carrots and Sticks for Sustainable System Change

Moving Beyond Carrots and Sticks for Sustainable System Change

“Carrot and stick performance management processes and the behaviorist approach upon which they are based are deeply flawed, and yet most of us start (and end) there, even in the most innovative organizations.” Annie McKee When it comes to managing sustainable system...

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION MEANS we no longer accept that separate classrooms, separate schools, and separate lives are in the best interest of any student. Separating peoplevby ability disadvantages everyone. Belonging is a human need. Our educational system, practices, and spaces, need to be reimagined.

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION MEANS every student is valued because of their strengths, gifts, and even challenges. As disability is simply... diversity. Everyone benefits from meaningful participation and opportunities to learn grade level content with diverse peers. We must trust that all students come to us as incredible whole people who do not need to be fixed.