Carolina and Jaiker share their journey of advocating for inclusive education for their daughter Natalia, who has Down syndrome. They discuss the challenges they faced in navigating the special education system and their decision to remove Natalia from special education services. They highlight the importance of inclusive education and the positive impact it has had on Natalia's development and happiness. The episode also features insights from Cecil County Public Schools in Maryland, where inclusive practices are the norm.

This is part one of a five-part series about families and school districts fully committed to inclusive practices for all learners. Listen to the rest of Inclusion Stories: https://shows.acast.com/inclusion-stories

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/I61Kqa0ABSDbl7RMgbVGFOfwMHA

Resources:

The Segregation of Students with Disabilities (National Council on Disability): https://ncd.gov/sites/default/files/NCD_Segregation-SWD_508.pdf

Cecil County Public Schools: https://www.ccps.org/

Thank you to our sponsors!

Communication First: https://communicationfirst.org/

Roots of Inclusion: https://www.rootsofinclusion.org/

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates: https://www.copaa.org/

Thompson Policy Institute on Disability: https://www.chapman.edu/education/centers-and-partnerships/thompson-policy-institute/index.aspx

iSecurePrivacy

The White Family

The Teague Family

Support was provided by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Club 21 in Pasadena, California.

Music

Theme: The Light by Greg Drews and The Truth

End Credits: Stella's Rhumba by Marcus Gerakos

MCIE:

Website: https://www.mcie.org/

Since 1988, MCIE has equipped over 200 schools in 25 school districts across the country to include children and youth who are at the greatest risk of exclusion.

Your gift directly impacts our ability to develop resources and support educators and families as they work to create authentic inclusive experiences for all learners that result in a sense of belonging, engagement with peers, friendships, and learning grade level content.

Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/maryland-coalition-for-inclusive-education-inc

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