"Building a Foundation for Lifelong Learning"
Inclusion is being facilitated under the guidance of the Inclusion Task Force whose membership includes parents, educators, and community members. Targeted schools also have Inclusion Steering Committees to guide the return of students to their home school from center schools. The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education and the Maryland State Department of Education are partners with CCPS in this endeavor. Training is given to teachers throughout the school year and a summer course on Collaboration was also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is inclusion? A philosophy of education which emphasizes the community of learners within a classroom and maximizes the learning potential of all learners.
2. What does the law say about inclusion? Both IDEA 97 and No Child Left Behind support the concept of inclusion since both require that every student be given quality instruction in the least restrictive environment. Often this is a child's home school.
3. How are decisions made about inclusion? All placement decisions are made in IEP team meetings comprised of parents, teachers, and other school personnel. Frequently, a MAPS meeting has been held prior to the IEP meeting to determine what supports or services are needed for the child to be successful in an inclusive setting.
4. Where can I find more information about inclusion? Many books, articles, and internet web sites are currently available. However, if more info is needed, please contact the Special Education Department at 410-996-5450.
~COUNTY-WIDE School staff members received additional training in the area of autism. This includes training in Visual Supports, PECS, Social Stories, Positive Behavioral Support, Collaboration, and Creative Problem Solving. Also, training is offered through GALA for first and second year new special educators to help them to become more knowledgeable about the special education process and instructional strategies.
Inclusion is being facilitated under the guidance of the Inclusion Task Force whose membership includes parents, educators, and community members. Targeted schools also have Inclusion Steering Committees to guide the return of students to their home school from center schools. The Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education and the Maryland State Department of Education are partners with CCPS in this endeavor. Training is given to teachers throughout the school year and a summer course on Collaboration was also available.
~ RSMS has children using different colored paper for different parts of writing pieces.
~ NEMS measures telling time goals by having a "time check". The teacher announces by calling a students name and asking them the time. A great way to collect data on a functional life skill.
~ RSMS has a cool idea for keeping those pencils from rolling off the desks. The teacher uses velcro to attach the pencils to the desk so they don't get misplaced.
~ PVMS uses colored post it notes to identify key reading strategies.
~ RSMS uses wikki sticks (available at A.C. Moore) as an accommodation to track when reading or identifying vocabulary words. *Great for tactile learners.
~ BMMS students can track their participation and homework progress using brightly colored index cards.
~ PVMS includes magnifying glasses in the accommodation basket.