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The Inclusion Toolbox

Strategies and Techniques for All Teachers

By: Jennifer A. Kurth, Megan Gross

Expand your toolbox, inspire your students, and make inclusion a reality with easy-to-use strategies, tips, and tools for designing or strengthening existing inclusion programs.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781483344157
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2014
Page Count: 280
Publication date: October 15, 2014

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Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

Description

The tools you need to build meaningful inclusive practices into your education program

Even the most experienced educators struggle with the challenge of designing and delivering meaningful inclusive practices in their school communities and classrooms. How can you deliver meaningful learning experiences that meet the needs of ALL students? The Inclusion Toolbox is an all-in-one resource that combines research-based strategies and practical tools to help you design and implement a truly inclusive education program.

The Inclusion Toolbox features materials relevant to all grades, disabilities, and stages of implementation, and is organized in a way that allows you to start at multiple entry points. You’ll discover:

Step-by-step plans for implementing new programs through teambuilding and leadership
Guidance on how to maintain, strengthen, and expand existing inclusive programs
Strategies to empower and involve families, students with disabilities, and their peers
Techniques to create effective and complementary schedules
Tools to assess student interests, develop adaptation plans, encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities, and more

With user-friendly online resources and practical strategies, this comprehensive guide will help you expand your toolbox, inspire your students, and make inclusion a reality!

“Planning an IEP? Need to provide more support for your paraeducators? Unsure of how to get everyone on the same page when it comes to adaptations and modifications? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need this book. All of these topics and more are covered in the pages of this practical, resource-rich text. The Inclusion Toolkit will undoubtedly be the new go-to manual for any stakeholder interested in creating high-quality schools for all students. If you are looking for answers beyond the “why” and the “what” of teaching diverse learners, look no further than this powerful how-to guide written by two savvy educators who clearly understand the research and the practices associated with inclusive education in today’s K-12 schools.”
- Paula Kluth, Educational Consultant

"For schools implementing inclusion or improving the way students are served, this book is a must read."
- Pam Wall, Guidance Counselor
Riverside Middle School

Author(s)

Jennifer A. Kurth

Jennifer A. Kurth, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Her academic interests include methods of implementing inclusive education, including methods of embedding critical instruction within the context and routines of general education while providing appropriate supports and services for individual learners. She also studies how teacher candidates develop their dispositions and skills in inclusive practices. Jennifer’s research interests in inclusive education also include examining outcomes of inclusion in terms of skill development and quality of life indicators for students with disabilities. Prior to coming to the university, Jennifer was an inclusion facilitator for students with mild to severe disabilities at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Megan Gross

Megan Gross is a special education teacher in San Diego, California. She has taught and facilitated inclusion for students at both the elementary and secondary level. Her professional interests include developing curricular modifications to increase student access to general education and facilitating professional development for paraprofessionals. Megan has presented at regional and national conferences and has previously published an article in The Journal of the International Association of Special Education.

Table of Contents

List of Pictures

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Part I: Setting Up Inclusive Education

1. Introduction to Inclusion

What is inclusive education?

What is successful inclusion?

How do I start an inclusion program?

How do I maintain an inclusion program?

What are the tools in this book?

Why is this book divided into three parts?

2. Leadership for Inclusive Schools

What Inclusive Education Leadership Looks Like

Advocating for Students and Inclusion

Demonstrating Excellence

Developing a Vision for Students and Inclusive Education

Conclusion

3. Supporting Paraeducators to Facilitate Inclusive Education

Hiring New Paraeducators

Preparing a Newly Hired Paraeducator

Creating Staff Binders

Staff Binder Organization

Communicating With Paraeducators

Evaluating Paraeducators

Conclusion

4. Scheduling for Successful Inclusion

Strategies for Scheduling the IEP Meeting

Developing Student Schedules

Developing Comprehensive Student Schedules

Developing Staff Schedules

Substitute Schedules

Conclusion

Part II: Implementing Inclusive Education

5. Implementing Inclusive Instruction

Collaboration Strategies to Implement the IEP

Grading Students in Inclusive Settings

Embedded Instruction

Inclusive Instructional Plans

Data Collection and Progress Monitoring

Conclusion

6. Engaging Students and Families

Introduction

Person-Centered Planning

Family Involvement

Home-School Communication

Engaging Families in Preparing for the IEP

Ability Awareness

Conclusion

7. Collaborating With General Educators and Related Services Providers

Communicating IEP Information

Determining Team Member Roles

Identifying Roles in the Classroom

Communicating About Curriculum

Communicating About a Student’s Day

Troubleshooting Collaboration

Conclusion

8. Social Facilitation Strategies for Inclusive Settings

Peer Involvement and Age-Appropriateness

Social Inclusion Strategies (Elementary)

Social Inclusion Strategies (Secondary)

What to Do If the School Doesn't Offer an Activity That Is Accessible or Interesting to a Student

Strategies for Accommodating Student Involvement

Conclusion

9. Academic Access and Participation

General Adaptations and Universal Design

Creating Specific Adaptations

Develop a List of Common Needs: Adaptations Checklist

In-Advance Adaptations

What About “On-the-Fly” Adaptations?

So What Is a “Good” Adaptation?

Conclusion

10. Supporting Positive Behavior in Inclusive Settings

Functional Behavior Analysis

Behavior Intervention Plan

Reinforcement

Token Economy Systems

Behavior Support Strategies

Self-Monitoring

Conclusion

11. Transition Planning

Transitioning to a New Teacher or School

Transitioning to Elementary School

Transitioning to Middle School

Transitioning to High School

Inclusive Community-Based Instruction

What does IDEA say?

Developing an ITP

Educating Parents

Implementing ITPs

Conclusion

Part III: Expanding Inclusive Practices

12. Co-Teaching

Co-Teaching Models

Starting a Co-Teaching Relationship

Day-to-Day Implementation of Co-Teaching

Plans for Problem Solving

Conclusion

13. Peer Supports

What Are Peer Supports?

Cross-Age Tutors

Peer Tutors

Matching Tutors and Tutees

Conclusion

14. Student-Led IEPs

Rationales for Student-Led IEPs

Strategies for Parents

Strategies for Educators

Strategies to Prepare for the Meeting

Strategies During the Meeting

Strategies After the Meeting

Conclusion

Rationales for Inclusive Related Services

15. Inclusive Related Services

Strategies for Related Service Providers

Strategies for Educators

Strategies for Parents

Conclusion

16. Concluding Thoughts

Fuel for the Journey

Food for Thought

References

Index

Tools Appendix

Resources Appendix

Reviews

"Planning an IEP? Need to provide more support for your paraeducators? Unsure of how to get everyone on the same page when it comes to adaptations and modifications? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need this book. All of these topics and more are covered in the pages of this practical, resource-rich text. The Inclusion Toolkit will undoubtedly be the new go-to manual for any stakeholder interested in creating high-quality schools for all students. If you are looking to for answers beyond the “why” and the “what” of teaching diverse learners, look no further than this powerful how-to guide written by two savvy educators who clearly understand the research and the practices associated with inclusive education in today’s K-12 schools."

Paula Kluth, Educational Consultant

Quote by Susan Unok Marks, Professor, Northern Arizona University, College of Education:

"Jennifer and Megan have managed to take more than thirty years of research on effective inclusive practices and put it into a practical and engaging format. Their "can-do" spirit is sure to motivate those new to these practices. This is an amazingly comprehensive toolbox for those with and without experience in implementing inclusive practices!"

"Jennifer and Megan have managed to take more than thirty years of research on effective inclusive practices and put it into a practical and engaging format. Their "can-do" spirit is sure to motivate those new to these practices. This is an amazingly comprehensive toolbox for those with and without experience in implementing inclusive practices!"

Susan Unok Marks, Professor
Northern Arizona University, College of Education

"For schools looking to implement inclusion or improve the way students are served, The Inclusion Toolbox is a must read. The strategies and real-life ideas are great tools for helping teachers and kids become their best."

Pam Wall, Guidance Counselor
Riverside Middle School

"New teachers as well as seasoned teachers can learn from this book. Seasoned teachers might be using some of these practices outlined in the book. but might not have the organizational tools provided. This book offers excellent “hands-on” tools. It also offers many practical suggestions to deal with “road blocks” along the way. I see these as workable no matter the school district or school one finds oneself working in."

Gretchen Gall, Instructor & Instructional Assistant/Paraeducator Program
Moraine Park Technical College, Fond du Lac, WI

"This is a text that is ALL about steps and what comes first and then what next. No one could read this and not understand how to plan and implement inclusion in a classroom. The previous experiences of the authors giving workshops has impacted the design and writing to ensure a smooth transition into practice."

Sherry Markel, Associate Professor
Northern Arizona University, College of Education

"This book provides a great blend of resources, practical experience, and best research in the field in an easily understood format. This is an area that I have been immersed in for over thirty years. It is impressive to see such a well written and valuable resource that can be used by a wide audience of users to better meet the needs of so many learners."

Barb Keating, Educational Consultant
Canada

"I am so impressed with this book. It is loaded with information and practical tools that are valuable for all professionals. This is a must-have resource for educators."

Margie DeLong, Special Education Specialist
Berwyn North District 98, Illinois

Other Titles in: Special Education | Inclusive Education | Teaching At-Risk Students

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Related Resources

Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.