When I first learned about inclusive education, I assumed that this was a rebranded form of special education. I had this image of students that did not fit into the classroom environment being carted off to their own brightly coloured room where educational assistants managed needs and helped a teacher facilitate a watered-down curriculum.
I then attended the class a learned that the district has stepped away from segregating populations and instead is on a mission to develop safe learning environments for all. Inclusive education is not just for students with exceptionalities. This is a space for students that fit into the LGBTQ2A+, or identify as Indigenous. This is a concept that aims to highlight the beauty and varied abilities of a diverse learning population.
I was sitting in on a grade 7 transition meeting when I first heard how this type of learning environment was being implemented in the school space. There were options for students that thrived in the more traditional segregated learning environment to continue using that framework. The new default however looked at having students stay in the classroom, and then support would go to support them. This allows for my favourite thing. Meeting Students Where They Are At.
When I think of true inclusive education, I think of physically and mentally meeting students where they are at. This allows educators to place themselves in the learner’s shoes. Does the student have food at home? Do they share a bed with their 5 other siblings? How would I learn if I was tired and hungry? How would I learn if I did not speak the language being taught?
Inclusive education is the education of diverse students with needs that may be similar or very different from our own.