Summary
Have you ever wondered what is an inclusive education? Read what inclusive education is, its benefits and how you can use it in your own classroom.

What is inclusive education? When you first start teaching often you walk into a classroom and are handed a stack of curriculum books. You’ll teach one page a day and discuss the prompts that are given. But, what about your students who don’t fit the mold? Those who have so much to offer, yet aren’t represented in the curriculum. Inclusive education opens the door for all students to learn and grow in the classroom environment.
What Is Inclusive Education?
Before you create a welcoming environment first we need a clear definition of an inclusive education. According to Brown University, “Inclusive teaching is an explicit intellectual and affective inclusion of all students into our fields and disciplines, through course content, assessment, and/or pedagogy.” (https://www.brown.edu/sheridan/teaching-learning-resources/inclusive-teaching/definitions)
Regardless of your definition, in an inclusive classroom all students matter and are valued. Regardless of behaviors, family makeup, developmental abilities, or cultural practices, each student has access to their education in a welcoming environment.
There are commonly four accepted domains of inclusive education: students, individual (teacher), content, and teaching methods. As teachers reflect upon their inclusive teaching practices they should examine: 1) their knowledge of individual students, 2) themselves as an individual, 3) the content they are preparing to teach and 4) the teaching method sussed in delivery.

What Does Inclusive Education Look Like?
Inclusive education looks like creative thinking. It looks like examining the staffing in school buildings to provide both behavioral and academic support. It looks like presenting content in multiple ways to allow all learners points of access, as well as processing time.

Inclusive education looks like thinking critically (or as I tell my students thinking analytically and logically!). Teachers must think critically about the curriculums they deliver. Examining the curriculum for potential bias and access points creates an inclusive experience because it supports each individual in the classroom environment.
What is Inclusive Teaching and Learning?
Inclusive teaching is “a range of intentional strategies that engage students in learning that is meaningful, relevant, and accessible to all” (DePaul University https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching-guides/inclusive-teaching/Pages/default.aspx).

Inclusive teaching and learning is a community where teachers think design, and deliver content to support access and growth to each student, removing barriers in education.
Educational practices focused on inclusivity are documented to have success on student achievement yet it cannot be done in a vacuum. If you’ve been around before you know one of my favorite phrases: I can only do in 8 hours, what I can do in 8 hours. True inclusive education requires examining and changing systems within education.
What are the Benefits of Inclusive Classroom?
In inclusive classrooms, teachers are modeling and practicing accepting and working with all types of learners. Students are watching and practicing important skills such as understanding viewpoints, patience, and perseverance. While much talk of inclusive classrooms focuses on students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and providing them with the least restrictive environment, these classrooms provide benefits for all students in the room.

The benefits of an inclusive classroom are numerous but at a glance in an inclusive classroom, students are more empathetic and understanding while being challenged as individuals. Inclusive classrooms have been shown to result in greater academic outcomes as well as improved collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Strategies Teachers Can Use
On the surface all teachers will say “Every student matters”, and it’s true, however, are they seen? The Universal Design of Learning gives teachers explicit strategies to create an inclusive education. By thinking critically about their curriculum design and instruction, teachers can remove barriers that are blocking student access. CAST breaks down instruction into three larger categories: engagement, representation, and action/expression while providing easy-to-follow checkpoints for teachers to reflect on their practices throughout the process.

The most effective strategy for inclusive education is in planning and reflection. When you sit down for your plans think: what are the access points to this lesson? Where will the students engage? When assessing students, provide both voice and choice for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the content. Check out these 7 powerful strategies for creating an inclusive classroom.
How to Create An Inclusive Classroom
Creating an inclusive classroom starts at the beginning but with the end in mind. When creating an inclusive classroom think: what do I want the room to feel like? What should it look like? What needs to be easily accessible by all students for them to learn?

As you create your inclusive classroom, stop after each step and think “is this helping me get to the end feeling?” This is called backwards design. As students grow to maintain an inclusive education the classroom must grow too. Throughout the year garner feedback from your students about what is working and what isn’t. Reflect upon what materials students are using and why. What barriers are you noticing? Are students engaging in work consistently or are they often distracted within the environment?
Why Are Inclusive Classrooms Important?
Inclusive classrooms are important because they support both student’s overall growth and acceptance. When students receive an inclusive education, they are challenged at their individual level while learning how to be empathetic and aware of others. Inclusive classrooms provide students with a strong community and a safe place to take risks.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPS)
Most wonder “what is an inclusive education” in the context of an individualized education program (IEP). In the United States, when students are identified as requiring specialized instruction they receive an individualized education plan, or IEP. This is a legal document teachers, service providers must follow to ensure the student receives a “free and appropriate education”. A stipulation of IEPs is services must be received in the “least restrictive environment”, or the environment in which the student has the most access to the same education as their peers. When inclusive classrooms are created intentionally with all students in mind, they provide a welcoming and least restrictive environment for the most vulnerable students.

More Information About Inclusive Education
Still thinking “What is an inclusive education?” you can read more about inclusive education, teaching practices, and classrooms below.
https://www.unicef.org/education/inclusive-education
https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/inclusive-education/
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