Are Inclusive Schools Even Possible? Part 2

Meaningful inclusion is possible, if we're being honest though, it's so rare that most folks don't even know what it looks like.

In part two of this episode on inclusion in public schools (be sure to check out part one!), Erin Croyle has educator and advocate Trina Allen break down what co-teaching is, how it works, and what can be done to make truly inclusive education a reality. 

The Odyssey: Parenting. Caregiving. Disability. 

The Center for Family Involvement at VCU School of Education's Partnership for People with Disabilities provides informational and emotional support to people with disabilities and their families. All of our services are free. We just want to help. We know how hard this can be because we're in it with you. 

 

 

SHOW NOTES:

Talia A. Lewis' Working Definiciton of Ableism.

How much are students with disabilities actually included? This breakdown demonstrates there is much work to be done.

National Center for Education Statistics releases various annual reports and as well as topical studies. 

More on the Ithaca City School District. 

Inclusion benefits EVERYone.

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

 

 

 

TRANSCRIPT:

01:00:07:11 - 01:00:39:01

Erin Croyle

Welcome to The Odyssey. Parenting, Caregiving, Disability. I'm Erin Croyle, the creator and host. The Odyssey podcast explores how our lives change when a loved one has a disability. I joined the caregiver club 14 years ago when my first child was born with Down syndrome. My journey weaved its way here, working for the Center for Family Involvement at VCU's Partnership for People with Disabilities.

 

01:00:39:03 - 01:01:09:07

Erin Croyle

This podcast highlights the joys and hardships we face. Celebrating how amazing the odyssey of parenting, caregiving and disability can be. While examining the spiderweb of complex issues, we're tangled in, The fight for meaningful inclusion in our schools is a struggle for so many of us. In our last episode, I spoke with special education teacher advocate, activist and parent Trina Allen.

 

01:01:09:09 - 01:01:31:21

Erin Croyle

We left off talking about how gut wrenching advocating for an inclusive education can be, especially as our kids get older. And we're picking up right there with Trina telling us not only that it can be done, but how we can do it.

 

01:01:31:23 - 01:01:47:19

Erin Croyle

I know of a number of parents who have children who stop working and are like full on tutors for their kids to keep them on that diploma track. The thing is, like a kid with Down syndrome is one kid with Down syndrome.

 

01:01:47:22 - 01:01:50:04

Trina Allen

Thank you!

 

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}