OUR VOICES, OUR FUTURE Shaping a new model of inclusive education - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Shaping a new model of inclusive education

OUR VOICES, OUR FUTURE

https://inclusiveedns.ca/presentation/

Welcome and Thank You for Attending

Commission on Inclusive Education

• Dr. Sarah Shea, Chair

Monica Williams Adela Njie

Work of the Commission to Date

PARTNERING LISTENING LEARNING RESEARCHING VISITING

The best interest of every student Evidence‐based practice Solutions that are practical and workable in schools across the province Building on the strengths of our communities & schools

We are Committed to:

ACADEMIC PROGRESS SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, and PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELLNESS PERSONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

STUDENT SUCCESS

Inclusion in Nova Scotia: We Have Come a Long Way Already

EXCLUSION

For many years, students with special needs were excluded from public education.

SEGREGATION

Then, segregated schools and classes were introduced.

INCLUSION

Now, inclusion is the norm, but the current version is not working for everyone.

The Path to Change

Our Commission cannot do its work without you. We need:

Purpose of Public Engagement

YOUR STORIES YOUR IDEAS YOUR EXPERIENCES

• Share Your Story (video & written): Nov. 7 – Dec. 15
• Stakeholder Roundtables: Nov. 30 – Dec. 2
• Call for Submissions: Nov. 7 – Dec. 15
• Survey (online): Nov. 21 – Dec. 15
• Public Workshops & School Site Visits: Nov. 21‐ Nov. 30

Public Engagement Options

Workshop Dates

• Meet with Nova Scotians across the province
• Listen to people’s lived experiences of inclusive education
• Hear about new ideas and innovations for moving forward
• Learn about Nova Scotians’ priorities in inclusive education

Purposes of the Public Workshops

6:30 Arrival, welcome & framing 6:45 Update on the work of the Commission 7:00 Group discussions: Understanding current experiences 7:40 Share key themes 7:50 Roundtables: Priorities for action 8:50 Closing thoughts

Workshop Agenda

• Inclusive:

Everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to engage fully with civility, trust & openness

• Productive:

Everyone is focusing on the best path forward

Guidelines for Public Workshops

• Structured:

Everyone is supported to fully participate in the workshop

• Diverse:

Everyone’s viewpoints – including on controversial issues in inclusive education ‐are shared & received respectfully

Guidelines for Public Workshops

• Nova Scotians strongly support the principle of

inclusive education, but it isn’t always working

• We need to create a new vision & policy for

inclusive education

• There are common themes emerging

What We Have Learned So Far

• Many students have identified needs for support:
• 6% of students on individualized program plans (IPP)
• Roughly 1 in every 4 students needs adaptations
• Student needs are often multiple & complex

It is Important That We Get This Right

• Human rights
• Geography
• Multiple agencies
• Diversity of students & communities.
• Economic demands
• Availability of personnel

There Are No Easy Answers

Who is in the room tonight?

Introductions

Speak from experience Listen to learn Capture themes

Introductions

Share your experiences:

• What is working well with inclusive education?
• What is not working well with inclusive education?

Table Conversations

5

minutes Table Conversations

• 1. Strong home

& school partnerships

• 2. A continuum
• f programs, services

& settings

• 3. Practical, specialized

teacher education

• 4. Student‐focused

interagency collaboration

• 5. Adequate funding & resources

Five Themes

• Welcoming, respectful, accessible, informative
• Engaging parents & students with the

educational team including school leaders

• Shared advocacy
• Three‐way information sharing:
• students, parents, educators
• Clear & informative progress reports

Strong Home & School Partnerships

For academic, cognitive, social & emotional learning Classroom‐based supports Specialized programs and services Varied instructional settings

A Continuum of Programs, Services & Settings

• Practical hands on learning on:
• Delivery of inclusive education
• Early & ongoing professional development in

topics in inclusive education such as:

• Behaviour intervention, Autism spectrum

disorder, identification & support of math & literacy challenges

Practical, Specialized Teacher Education

• Clear roles & responsibilities
• Improved access to services across the province
• Time for teachers & other professionals to work

together

• Key times: transitions
• Supports provided at school & in classroom

Student‐Focused Interagency Collaboration

• Professionals, specialized programs, equipment
• Providing proven successful programs
• Equitable
• Rural & urban
• Accountability, transparency

Adequate Funding and Resources

Table Conversations

What could make the biggest difference?

Strong Home and School Partnerships A Continuum of Programs, Services and Settings Practical, Specialized Teacher Education Student‐focused Interagency Collaboration Other

• Strong home & school partnerships
• A continuum of programs, services & settings
• Practical, specialized teacher education
• Student‐focused interagency collaboration
• Other

What are YOUR Top Priorities?

Keep the Conversation Going

Provide your input through

• nline

channels Encourage

• thers to

participate in public consultations Help us spread the word Visit our website: inclusiveed.ns.ca

Please stay involved – Your voices matter!

www.inclusiveedns.ca The Work Won’t Stop with the Commission

Thank You!

Thank You!