We are all dealing with the regression that some of our students have experienced through these COVID-affected times. We went from having a hope of real innovation of inclusive education to a focus on mere survival. Today’s guest shares insights into the evidence-based need for inclusion, practical steps to bring inclusion, and the barriers that still remain in school systems. Join us to learn more!

Diane Ryndak is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the Department of Specialized Education Services in relation to students with significant disabilities. She works in teacher training for undergraduates and doctoral students, and she works closely with school districts to bring systemic reform for improved student outcomes.

Show Highlights:

• How Diane was led at an early age into advocating for marginalized students
• How Diane works in teacher training and affecting state policies regarding inclusive educational services for students with disabilities
• Why most school districts as a whole are resistant to inclusive education
• How segregated education has been established as the acceptable way to do things because of the support and attention that special needs students receive
• What the research shows about the level of engagement and instruction that students in inclusive classrooms receive from teachers AND peers
• How problems with inclusion occur when kids with IEPs transition from early childhood to kindergarten (95% of them will NEVER get back in general education classes once they are segregated!)
• Why the focus should be on preventing kids with disabilities from going into self-contained classrooms in the first place
• The big challenge for parents: Without universal preschool, their options are limited when early intervention identifies their child with special needs
• Why the focus has to be on specific strategies to address the barriers that are keeping a student from the general education classroom
• Two ways to address the need:
• Provide coaching and mentoring support for current teachers through professional development.
• Evaluate teacher education programs to prepare new teachers to co-plan, co-implement, and co-evaluate in the generalized education classroom.            

Connect with Diane:

Email: [email protected]

Find inclusive education resources for parents, teachers, and administrators: www.tiescenter.org

Links/Resources:

Thank you for listening!

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