Partnership for Extraordinary Minds supports the idea that, when done right, inclusion benefits all students--with and without disabilities. In the first section below we’ve listed summaries and links to comprehensive research studies exploring the outcomes when disabled students are educated together with non-disabled students, including the positive impact on educators and on students without disabilities. The second section below is a compilation of excellent resources to help schools implement and support successful inclusive education programs.
A Summary of Evidence on Inclusive Education is a comprehensive report on inclusion published by the Alana Institute in Brazil, along with ABT Associates. The report reviews evidence from more than 280 research studies conducted from 25 countries. There are four main sections: Benefits of Inclusive Education for Non-Disabled Students, Benefits of Inclusive Education for Students with Disabilities, Considerations in Implementing Inclusive Education, A Coordinated National Approach to Fostering Inclusion.
Highlights from the report related to benefits of inclusion for non-disabled students (page numbers noted):
Inclusive Education Research and Practice is a document that describes the vast body of research demonstrating the positive impact of inclusion in general education classrooms. It uses quantitative and qualitative research findings to explain the positive outcomes of inclusion on both students with and without disabilities, and describes effective tools in making inclusion work.
Highlights from the report related to benefits of inclusion for non-disabled students (page numbers noted):
SWIFT is a national K-8 technical assistance center that helps whole education systems build capacity to provide academic and behavioral instruction and support for all students, including students with disabilities and those with the most extensive needs. SWIFT is committed to equity-based inclusion, where every child is valued and given the supports they need to succeed. The site has comprehensive resources, studies, webinars, assessment tools, guides, reports, podcasts, and articles all designed to help facilitate inclusive education.
Founded in 2013, Starting with Julius was a project to promote the inclusion of people with disability in advertising, media, and beyond. The belief is that advertising and media have a powerful role in shaping the consciousness and behavior of individuals. Over the years, Starting with Julius has become a resource for many topics related to inclusion, including education. The site above is a source of articles related to inclusive education, including studies, blogs, government reports, and more.
Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) and Stetson & Associates, Inc., which is held each year during the first full week in December. Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, author, advocate and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. She is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher and inclusion facilitator. Paula’s site is dedicated to promoting inclusive schooling and exploring positive ways of supporting students with autism and other disabilities.
Thasya is a minifilm from award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib (Intelligent Lives) that highlights the power of presuming competence, differentiated instruction and augmentative and alternative communication. Thasya Lumingkewas is an eight-year old autistic student that thrives at Maple Wood Elementary School in Somersworth, NH. The school has implemented Response to Intervention (RtI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
The ASD Nest Support Project is a an inclusion program hosted by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. The goal of the ASD Nest Support Project is to advance the development and implementation of educational solutions for children living with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The ASD Nest Support Project provides training and support for educators of students with ASD, including those in the NYC Nest Program, which is a model inclusion program in 14 New York City public schools. Specifically, the ASD Nest Support Project provides training, professional development, and on-site consultation for teachers, therapists, and administrators, and workshops and a newsletter for ASD Nest parents. Other activities include research, presentations at national professional organizations, and articles and other publications on relevant topics.