Fw: [Autism-Florida] Definition of Inclusion in Pasco School District

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Kim Hammons wrote: Definition of Inclusion in Pasco School District Inclusion is a term used to encompass the concept of Least Restrictive Environment. Successful Inclusion is based

upon a commitment to provide opportunities for all students to learn and interact with age-appropriate peers. Central to inclusion is consideration of the child¢s level of ability and capacity to benefit within an adapted learning environment. Successful inclusion requires planning, staff development, on-going support, resources, and communication. Core Beliefs All individuals have value. All students can learn and become productive members of society. For all students, there needs to be a variety of services within a continuum of placement options that offers opportunities to learn with age-appropriate peers. Personnel must receive ongoing training and support in order to design and implement curriculum modifications to meet individual student needs. All students deserve the best education possible in an environment which promotes the development of the individual. Successful, appropriate

inclusion is based on proactive professional involvement, adequate financial resources, and effective community participation. The curriculum addresses individual student needs through quality instruction and ongoing assessment. Employing a variety of strategies, the service delivery model should be a collaborative effort among parents, professionals, and students. Successful communication systems must be developed and nurtured through sufficient amounts of regularly scheduled consultation and planning between basic and E.S.E staff members and supported by on-going, proactive communication among professionals, agencies, and other community shareholders. Inclusion is a term used to encompass the concept of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). LRE is the only term actually contained in the law. The essential difference between the concept of inclusion and of traditional mainstreaming lies in the key question the IEP team

asks in determining the placement of a student.The difference in the two questions is a fundamental shifting of responsibility from the student proving an ability to survive in the mainstream to that of the staff identifying the specific supports the student needs for a successful placement. The placement decision focuses on the level and nature of supports required by the individual student, not a predetermined label /program delivery model.Successful Inclusion is based upon a commitment to provide opportunities for all students to learn and interact with age-appropriate peers. Central to inclusion is consideration of the child¢s level of ability and capacity to benefit within an adapted learning environment. Successful inclusion requires planning, staff development, on-going support, resources, and communication Kim Hammons IPUT Informed Parents United Together Tampa, Florida www.iput.org www.yahoogroups.com Keyword: "IPUT"