with disabilities are segregated into separate educational settings
school-age learners in the United States
for every learner to experience a sense of belonging in general education
Despite the progress we’ve made in our education system for students with disabilities, there has been no guarantee of inclusive education. This system is being reshaped by leaders who are willing to advocate for the needs of students with disabilities beyond simply placing them in general education classrooms. But these leaders are continually met with structural resistance for their desire to disrupt our system, which has normalized the segregation of students with disabilities into separate schools or classrooms. This common practice, rooted in a mindset of segregation based on ability and perceived expectation, has a deeply rooted history of impacting many students and families.
In 1970, only 20% of children with disabilities attended school. The 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), changed this by funding schools. IDEA mandates that public schools provide Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Appropriate Evaluation, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Parent and Teacher Participation, Procedural Safeguards and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Despite these promises, IDEA has still never been fully funded at the promised 40% rate and has been stagnant at the current rate of less than 15% for years.
In the time since the passage of IDEA, it has taken bold leadership to shift our mindsets and expectations for students with disabilities. Yet, disparities persist for students with disabilities at the intersection of race, gender, sexual orientation, language, and economic inequalities. Teachers and leaders need access to tools, resources, and implementation guidance to incorporate inclusive practices effectively.
Take action now! Support leaders across your school or district in making changes that will result in equitable outcomes for all learners. Sign the public pledge to work to eliminate barriers to ensure each learner has access to inclusive schools and receive the Inclusive Practices Starter Kit and Planning Tool. Your commitment can make a difference. Let’s create a truly inclusive education system today!
Inclusion Today Team
I pledge to work to eliminate systemic barriers to ensure each student has access to inclusive schools. I will build an action plan to prioritize and improve inclusive educational systems in my community.
Inclusion Today is a collaboration among Blue Engine (BE), The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP), Diverse Learners Cooperative (DLC), and the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE). Our organizations are dedicated to addressing the unequal outcomes for students with disabilities in comparison to their peers in general education. We came together at the Education All Learners Alliance Community of Action, united by a shared vision that inclusive education and inclusive school leadership are inextricably linked.
Our mission is to end the long-standing pattern of disproportionate student outcomes by shifting the paradigm of “typical teaching.” We work in partnership with schools and systems to elevate the mindsets and skills of educators to ensure that all students - especially those who have been most marginalized by race, language and neurodivergence - can access and engage in grade-level learning. Every lesson. Every day.
DCMP is funded through the U.S. Department of Education to promote and provide equal access to communication and learning through described and captioned educational media.
The Diverse Learners Cooperative exists to create purposeful networks of educators, providing them with high quality resources and collaborative learning experiences that increase best practices for diverse learners and teacher retention.
MCIE is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting schools and school systems on their journey to create inclusive school communities where all children and youth feel a sense of belonging and have equitable educational opportunities that result in high levels of academic success.
