Leading for All

How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools
Jennifer Spencer-Iiams - West Linn-Wilsonville School District, OR
Josh Flosi - International School of Tanganyika, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Leading for All
October 2020 | 224 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781071827895
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781071827925
Available from January 0001

Description

Develop inclusive and equitable school communities where all learners thrive

Research has shown that inclusive education results in better academic outcomes for ALL students, not just those identified with disabilities, by promoting self-efficacy, improving social and emotional health, and consistently implementing research-based instructional strategies. Still, many schools rely on deeply ingrained, segregated practices that fail to serve all students.

Leading for All is a practical guide that provides a clear pathway for educators to develop a more inclusive school community from start to finish. Authors Jennifer Spencer-Iiams and Josh Flosi share lessons learned from spending nearly a decade building district schools where all students are served in their neighborhood school and in classrooms with their general education peers.

Features include:

  • Three focus areas to guide change: Creating Inclusive Cultures, Improving Instructional Practices, and Increasing Student Voice
  • 7 Components of Inclusive and Equitable Learning Communities
  • Supporting resources for promoting inclusion throughout the school day, including co-curricular activities and transportation
  • Stories of real students and teachers and the actions that impacted their success

Educators and school leaders want to create inclusive and excellent educational experiences for all students, but they do not always know how to proceed. Leading for All provides a model, stories, strategies, and clear evidence that it can be done effectively.

Contents

Foreword by Paula Kluth

Foreword by Paula Kluth

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

  • Chapter 1 - Finding Our Why
  • Why Inclusion?
  • Academic Research Supports Inclusion
  • Inclusion and the Whole-Child Movement
  • Equity and Social Justice
  • The Perspective of Families
  • Moving from Why to Why Not?
  • References
  • Chapter 2 - What We Mean by Inclusive Education
  • A Continuum of Inclusive Practices
  • A Summary of Changes Over the Past Eight Years
  • What Inclusion Looks Like
  • References
  • Chapter 3 - The Foundations of Inclusive Education
  • Putting Our Goals on Paper
  • Guiding Principles for Our Work
  • Kortney’s Story
  • References
  • Chapter 4 - Creating Inclusive Cultures
  • True Friendships
  • Providing Supports in the General Education Classroom
  • Shared Ownership and Co-Teaching
  • The Power of Language
  • All Students Participate in Cocurricular Activities
  • References
  • Chapter 5 - Improving Instructional Practices
  • Frameworks that Guide our Instructional Practices
  • Learning Targets
  • Engagement Strategies
  • Access to Grade-Level Content
  • Common and Consistent Data
  • Analyzing Data to Inform Instruction
  • Purpose of Evaluation
  • References
  • Chapter 6 - The Components of Inclusive and Equitable Learning Communities
  • Effective Physical Spaces
  • Teaching Common Expectations
  • Rituals, Routines, and Recognition
  • Engagement Strategies for All Students
  • Teaching Social-Emotional Skills
  • Restorative Practices
  • Relationships with High Expectations
  • References
  • Chapter 7 - Increasing Student Voice
  • Growth Mindset Revisited
  • Student Voice and Behavior
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  • Students as Leaders of Change
  • Students and Their IEPs
  • References
  • Chapter 8 - Supporting Behavior in Inclusive Schools
  • All-Some-Few Thinking
  • Team “Student”
  • The Intensive Capacity-Building Team
  • Thinking Inclusively About Outside Placement
  • References
  • Chapter 9 - Leadership Moves to Make it Happen
  • Communication and Relationships
  • The Role of the Central Office
  • Salary Structures, Job Descriptions, and Union Contracts to Support Inclusive Practices
  • Structures for Professional Learning that Support Inclusive Practices
  • Structures for Leadership and Stakeholder Input
  • Partnerships with Other Districts and Outside Organizations
  • Closing Thoughts about Leadership Moves
  • References
  • Chapter 10 - What’s Next?
  • Transportation
  • Inclusive Early-Childhood Education
  • Adult Transition Services and Inclusive College Opportunities
  • Inclusive Teacher Education
  • The Mental Health System
  • Inclusive Practices in the Time of Distance Learning and COVID-19
  • Closing Thoughts
  • References

Index

Index

Description

Develop inclusive and equitable school communities where all learners thrive

Research has shown that inclusive education results in better academic outcomes for ALL students, not just those identified with disabilities, by promoting self-efficacy, improving social and emotional health, and consistently implementing research-based instructional strategies. Still, many schools rely on deeply ingrained, segregated practices that fail to serve all students.

Leading for All is a practical guide that provides a clear pathway for educators to develop a more inclusive school community from start to finish. Authors Jennifer Spencer-Iiams and Josh Flosi share lessons learned from spending nearly a decade building district schools where all students are served in their neighborhood school and in classrooms with their general education peers.

Features include:

  • Three focus areas to guide change: Creating Inclusive Cultures, Improving Instructional Practices, and Increasing Student Voice
  • 7 Components of Inclusive and Equitable Learning Communities
  • Supporting resources for promoting inclusion throughout the school day, including co-curricular activities and transportation
  • Stories of real students and teachers and the actions that impacted their success

Educators and school leaders want to create inclusive and excellent educational experiences for all students, but they do not always know how to proceed. Leading for All provides a model, stories, strategies, and clear evidence that it can be done effectively.

Contents

Foreword by Paula Kluth

Foreword by Paula Kluth

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

  • Chapter 1 - Finding Our Why
  • Why Inclusion?
  • Academic Research Supports Inclusion
  • Inclusion and the Whole-Child Movement
  • Equity and Social Justice
  • The Perspective of Families
  • Moving from Why to Why Not?
  • References
  • Chapter 2 - What We Mean by Inclusive Education
  • A Continuum of Inclusive Practices
  • A Summary of Changes Over the Past Eight Years
  • What Inclusion Looks Like
  • References
  • Chapter 3 - The Foundations of Inclusive Education
  • Putting Our Goals on Paper
  • Guiding Principles for Our Work
  • Kortney’s Story
  • References
  • Chapter 4 - Creating Inclusive Cultures
  • True Friendships
  • Providing Supports in the General Education Classroom
  • Shared Ownership and Co-Teaching
  • The Power of Language
  • All Students Participate in Cocurricular Activities
  • References
  • Chapter 5 - Improving Instructional Practices
  • Frameworks that Guide our Instructional Practices
  • Learning Targets
  • Engagement Strategies
  • Access to Grade-Level Content
  • Common and Consistent Data
  • Analyzing Data to Inform Instruction
  • Purpose of Evaluation
  • References
  • Chapter 6 - The Components of Inclusive and Equitable Learning Communities
  • Effective Physical Spaces
  • Teaching Common Expectations
  • Rituals, Routines, and Recognition
  • Engagement Strategies for All Students
  • Teaching Social-Emotional Skills
  • Restorative Practices
  • Relationships with High Expectations
  • References
  • Chapter 7 - Increasing Student Voice
  • Growth Mindset Revisited
  • Student Voice and Behavior
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  • Students as Leaders of Change
  • Students and Their IEPs
  • References
  • Chapter 8 - Supporting Behavior in Inclusive Schools
  • All-Some-Few Thinking
  • Team “Student”
  • The Intensive Capacity-Building Team
  • Thinking Inclusively About Outside Placement
  • References
  • Chapter 9 - Leadership Moves to Make it Happen
  • Communication and Relationships
  • The Role of the Central Office
  • Salary Structures, Job Descriptions, and Union Contracts to Support Inclusive Practices
  • Structures for Professional Learning that Support Inclusive Practices
  • Structures for Leadership and Stakeholder Input
  • Partnerships with Other Districts and Outside Organizations
  • Closing Thoughts about Leadership Moves
  • References
  • Chapter 10 - What’s Next?
  • Transportation
  • Inclusive Early-Childhood Education
  • Adult Transition Services and Inclusive College Opportunities
  • Inclusive Teacher Education
  • The Mental Health System
  • Inclusive Practices in the Time of Distance Learning and COVID-19
  • Closing Thoughts
  • References

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

Leading for All

How to Create Truly Inclusive and Excellent Schools


October 2020 | 224 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781071827925 $40.95
Lifetime 01/01/2025 9781071827895 $37.00

Develop inclusive and equitable school communities where all learners thrive

Research has shown that inclusive education results in better academic outcomes for ALL students, not just those identified with disabilities, by promoting self-efficacy, improving social and emotional health, and consistently implementing research-based instructional strategies. Still, many schools rely on deeply ingrained, segregated practices that fail to serve all students.

Leading for All is a practical guide that provides a clear pathway for educators to develop a more inclusive school community from start to finish. Authors Jennifer Spencer-Iiams and Josh Flosi share lessons learned from spending nearly a decade building district schools where all students are served in their neighborhood school and in classrooms with their general education peers.

Features include:

  • Three focus areas to guide change: Creating Inclusive Cultures, Improving Instructional Practices, and Increasing Student Voice
  • 7 Components of Inclusive and Equitable Learning Communities
  • Supporting resources for promoting inclusion throughout the school day, including co-curricular activities and transportation
  • Stories of real students and teachers and the actions that impacted their success

Educators and school leaders want to create inclusive and excellent educational experiences for all students, but they do not always know how to proceed. Leading for All provides a model, stories, strategies, and clear evidence that it can be done effectively.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Paula Kluth
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1 - Finding Our Why
  • Why Inclusion?
  • Academic Research Supports Inclusion
  • Inclusion and the Whole-Child Movement
  • Equity and Social Justice
  • The Perspective of Families
  • Moving from Why to Why Not?
  • References
  • Chapter 2 - What We Mean by Inclusive Education
  • A Continuum of Inclusive Practices
  • A Summary of Changes Over the Past Eight Years
  • What Inclusion Looks Like
  • References
  • Chapter 3 - The Foundations of Inclusive Education
  • Putting Our Goals on Paper
  • Guiding Principles for Our Work
  • Kortney’s Story
  • References
  • Chapter 4 - Creating Inclusive Cultures
  • True Friendships
  • Providing Supports in the General Education Classroom
  • Shared Ownership and Co-Teaching
  • The Power of Language
  • All Students Participate in Cocurricular Activities
  • References
  • Chapter 5 - Improving Instructional Practices
  • Frameworks that Guide our Instructional Practices
  • Learning Targets
  • Engagement Strategies
  • Access to Grade-Level Content
  • Common and Consistent Data
  • Analyzing Data to Inform Instruction
  • Purpose of Evaluation
  • References
  • Chapter 6 - The Components of Inclusive and Equitable Learning Communities
  • Effective Physical Spaces
  • Teaching Common Expectations
  • Rituals, Routines, and Recognition
  • Engagement Strategies for All Students
  • Teaching Social-Emotional Skills
  • Restorative Practices
  • Relationships with High Expectations
  • References
  • Chapter 7 - Increasing Student Voice
  • Growth Mindset Revisited
  • Student Voice and Behavior
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  • Students as Leaders of Change
  • Students and Their IEPs
  • References
  • Chapter 8 - Supporting Behavior in Inclusive Schools
  • All-Some-Few Thinking
  • Team “Student”
  • The Intensive Capacity-Building Team
  • Thinking Inclusively About Outside Placement
  • References
  • Chapter 9 - Leadership Moves to Make it Happen
  • Communication and Relationships
  • The Role of the Central Office
  • Salary Structures, Job Descriptions, and Union Contracts to Support Inclusive Practices
  • Structures for Professional Learning that Support Inclusive Practices
  • Structures for Leadership and Stakeholder Input
  • Partnerships with Other Districts and Outside Organizations
  • Closing Thoughts about Leadership Moves
  • References
  • Chapter 10 - What’s Next?
  • Transportation
  • Inclusive Early-Childhood Education
  • Adult Transition Services and Inclusive College Opportunities
  • Inclusive Teacher Education
  • The Mental Health System
  • Inclusive Practices in the Time of Distance Learning and COVID-19
  • Closing Thoughts
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

This is a good book--not sure if I will be using it. I am not teaching supervision after all.
Dr Alison M Polly, Education/Special Educ Dept, Mansfield University
"Jennifer Spencer-Iiams and Josh Flosi's journey through inclusion is quite remarkable. They chart a path we should all embrace and share the context and tools to support us effectively. They present a great shared text for teacher teams considering shifts to more inclusive practices."
Peter Dillon, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Berkshire Hills Regional School District / Shaker Mountain School Union, MA
"This is a clear guide for principals, central office leaders, parents, and special education advocacy groups to use while implementing changes that foster a more inclusive environment for special education students on campus and in the community."
Dr. Anthony Mays, Senior Director of Schools Division with the Harris County Department of Education, University of Houston Downtown, TX
"Leading for All provides a clear framework that all educators should use to improve inclusive practices. The authors have a clear vision for transformational change that will create inclusive school communities which starts at the classroom level."
Ronald D. Wahlen, Director of Digital Teaching and Learning, Durham Public Schools, NC
"Leading for All is a very readable book that integrates a wide-range of current knowledge as to how to create an inclusive learning environment for all students, not just special education students. The authors take us along on their journey, recognizing that this magnitude of change is not easy but is a moral imperative, and provide us with the information to undertake such change.
Linda R. Vogel, Professor and Program Coordinator, University of Northern Colorado, CO

Recommendations