Which Is Best For My Child? Inclusion or Pull Out?

Where is the Best Placement For My Child? How Is Placement Determined? The most appropriate placement according to IDEA is for all students is in the regular classroom setting. In other words, the Least Restrictive Environment or (LRE). In either Inclusion or Pull Out settings, students Are In Their Home Schools Where the students would be if they did not have disabilities

What Services and Supports Will My Child Receive? InclusionPull Out Based on individual and their needs. Supports follow the students, the students don't go somewhere to get them. Students will receive instruction based on goals within their IEP Support is provided with the help of the resource teacher and other service providers in another setting

What Are Strengths? InclusionPull Out Obstacles are issues waiting for solutions. "Teams" are proactive, addressing needs before problems arise. Inclusion is a process, not an event All team members actively seek out information and resources. All team members have a shared vision of what success looks like for each individual student. Classroom, building and district decisions and planning reflect the needs of students with disabilities. Placement will not change. Resource teacher and regular education teacher must communicate to discuss progress.

Active Participation Exclusion can happen in general education environments – be involved as a parent. Ask questions! All activities are designed to be accessible for all students

What Are The Benefits? InclusionPull Out All Students Have A Sense Of Belonging All students are valued Social goals are integrated within class activities for all students Adults model and facilitate inclusion and interactions Teachers form a close relationship with students Students are in a small group setting Students receive instruction from a special education teacher Adults model and facilitate interactions

Achievement of IEP Goals InclusionPull Out Goals are dependent on individual and worked on within general curriculum Goals are related to the IEP of the student and focused on during resource classes. Regular education teacher follows accommodations.

What Do The Classes Look Like? InclusionPull Out Same proportion of students with disabilities are in classes as are in the general population Students with disabilities are not grouped All classes practice inclusion, none are referred to as "inclusion classes" All students in pull out are special education students. Students are grouped by content area or IEP goal All classes are considered “resource” or “pull out”

Which Is Better? InclusionPull Out In an Inclusion Setting, classes Get Ready For Students. Students do not have to get "ready" to be included. There are no prerequisites for inclusion. Staff are trained based on students' needs. Students in pull out settings have an IEP. Staff are trained to work with students’ IEP. Placement is Developmentally Appropriate and Changes With Difficulty of Curriculum

What Should I Look For? Collaboration and Team Planning. General and special education staff have ownership of students with disabilities. All team members collaborate and communicate frequently.

What About One-on-One Assistance? How To?Remember You can ask for a one-on- one but a full assessment with a description of the child’s unique educational needs must be completed by school district personnel or an outside evaluator. This can be considered the most restrictive environment for a child. Many one-on-one aides are not considered to be highly trained or qualified for their positions and they are not required to be unless they are providing ABA therapy or other intensive therapies.

Communication Stay Involved Check each way the teacher is open to communication ( , phone calls, classroom visits). Which works best for you? Some Examples of what can work (Weekly folders, daily checklists, check in) Participate in Open House, Conferences, PTA, field trips

What’s Coming Up and Events to Remember Kinder Round Up! Schools are ready for your kids! Field Trips – safety first! Call the school/teacher to find out if you can go (if you would like) and what safety precautions will be taken.

References Kids Together, WrightsLaw, m, m