1. Shaping a new model of inclusive education
OUR VOICES, OUR FUTURE
Shaping a new model of inclusive education
Sarah
-Monica
Adela

3. Welcome and Thank You for Attending
Commission on Inclusive Education
Dr. Sarah Shea, Chair
Monica Williams
Adela Njie

4. Work of the Commission to Date
PARTNERING
LISTENING
VISITING
Monica
LEARNING
RESEARCHING

5. We are Committed to:
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
Adela

6. STUDENT SUCCESS ACADEMIC PROGRESS SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL,
PERSONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL,
and PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Adela

7. 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.
Monica

8. The Path to Change
Sarah

9. Purpose of Public Engagement
Our Commission cannot do its work without you. We need:
YOUR STORIES
YOUR IDEAS
YOUR EXPERIENCES
Sarah

10. Public Engagement Options
Share Your Story (video & written): Nov. 7 – Dec. 15
Call for Submissions: Nov. 7 – Dec. 15
Survey (online): Nov. 21 – Dec. 15
Public Workshops Nov. 21- Nov. 30
Sarah

11. Workshop Dates
Sera

12. Purposes of the Public Workshops
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
Sera

13. Workshop Agenda 6:30 Arrival, welcome & framing 6:40
Update on the work of the Commission
6:50
Group discussions: Understanding current experiences
7:35
Share key themes
7:45
Roundtables: Priorities for action
8:45
Closing thoughts
Sera
6:30 Arrival, Welcome and Framing Update on the work of the Commission (slides 1-19)
6:50 Group Discussions: Understanding Current Experiences (slide 20)
6:50 - Framing
7:00 - Table Conversations
7:20 - Hearing from the room
7:35 Roundtables: Priorities for Action 
7:35- Framing (Slides 21-30)
7:40- Q&A
7:55- Roundtables (Slides 31-32)
8:35 - Hearing from the room
8:45  Setting Priorities & Closing Thoughts

14. What We Have Learned So Far
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
Adela
Gaps between changing student needs and current model of inclusive education (programs; settings)
Widespread support for the principle of inclusive education but implementation not working
Need to redefine and redesign inclusive education

15. It is Important That We Get This Right
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
Adela

16. There Are No Easy Answers
Human rights
Geography
Multiple agencies
Diversity of students & communities.
Economic demands
Availability of personnel
Adela

17. Who is in the room tonight?
Introductions
Who is in the room tonight?
SERA
Education
Parent
Student
In the System
Community Organization
Elected

18. Guidelines for Public Workshops
Inclusive: Everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to engage fully with civility, trust & openness.
Everyone’s viewpoints – including on controversial issues in inclusive education -are shared & received respectfully
Productive: Everyone is focusing on the best path forward
Sera

19. Table Conversations
Speak from experience Listen to learn Capture themes Don’t be helpful 1/n – Make space for everyone’s voice
SERA

20. Table Conversations Share your experiences:
What is working well with inclusive education?
What is not working well with inclusive education?
SERA

21. Table Conversations
5 minutes
SERA

22. Five Themes 1. Strong home & school partnerships
2. A continuum of programs, services & settings
3. Practical, specialized teacher education
4. Student-focused interagency collaboration
5. Adequate funding & resources
Monica – overview
ADD DETAIL
Sarah - Strong School and Home
Adela – Continuum Services, P
Monica - Practical, specialized teacher education
Sarah – Student-focused interagency collaborat

23. Strong Home & School Partnerships
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

24. A Continuum of Programs, Services & Settings
For academic, cognitive, social & emotional learning
Classroom-based supports
Specialized programs and services
Varied instructional settings

25. Practical, Specialized Teacher Education
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

26. Student-Focused Interagency Collaboration
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

27. Adequate Funding and Resources
Professionals, specialized programs, equipment
Providing proven successful programs
Equitable
Rural & urban
Accountability, transparency

29. Which changes are needed?
1. Strong home & school partnerships
2. A continuum of programs, services & settings
3. Practical, specialized teacher education
4. Student-focused interagency collaboration
5. Adequate funding & resources
Monica – overview
ADD DETAIL
Sarah - Strong School and Home
Adela – Continuum Services, P
Monica - Practical, specialized teacher education
Sarah – Student-focused interagency collaborat

30. Table Conversations
5 minutes
SERA

31. Which changes are needed?
1. Strong home & school partnerships
2. A continuum of programs, services & settings
3. Practical, specialized teacher education
4. Student-focused interagency collaboration
5. Adequate funding & resources
Monica – overview
ADD DETAIL
Sarah - Strong School and Home
Adela – Continuum Services, P
Monica - Practical, specialized teacher education
Sarah – Student-focused interagency collaborat

33. The Path to Change
Sarah

34. Keep the Conversation Going
Encourage others to participate in public consultations
Provide your input through online channels
Visit our
website:
inclusiveed.ns.ca
Help us spread
the word
Sarah

35. The Work Won’t Stop with the Commission
Please stay involved –
Your voices matter!
#OurVoicesNS
DELETE

36. Thank You!
Thank You!
SARAH