Indicators that help families and educators recognize inclusive classroom practice.
# Article Title: 5 Signs Your Classroom is Inclusive
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Introduction
Traditional classrooms and inclusive classrooms differ significantly in the way students receive their education. There are differences in overall educational philosophy, instructional strategies, and resources to support learners. Knowing the indicators of inclusion can give families a sense of ease or a list of requests for the next IEP meeting.
Collaborative Seating and Grouping
Groups of desks are placed around the classroom. Grouping students allows for socialization as well as cooperative and peer learning. Research by Johnson and Johnson indicates that cooperation, compared with competitive and individualistic efforts, typically results in higher achievement and greater productivity, more caring and supportive relationships, and greater psychological health and self-esteem.
Visual Learning Aids
Visual learning aids such as a daily schedule, timers, posters, and flip charts assist in teaching students who are visual learners. Approximately 65 percent of students are visual learners. In addition, executive functioning skills, structure, and transitions can be supported through the use of visual aids. When teachers used visual tactics to teach middle-aged students, they found that students had more positive attitudes about the material they were learning.
Developmentally Appropriate Materials
Developmentally appropriate learning materials such as leveled books, manipulatives, and centers with hands-on activities are placed around the room. These various materials are suited for learners at different levels of abilities. Accommodations and modifications are made to curriculum in order to make it accessible and achievable for students who require extra time with the content.
Social Skills Program and Assistive Technology
A classroom social skills program is the cornerstone of a respectful and productive learning environment. Assistive technology is available to students to support their individual interests, styles, and educational needs. Items such as adaptive pencil grips, iPads, apps, augmentative communication devices, and color overlays are examples used to make curriculum accessible. Whether simple or complex, assistive technology can level the playing field for all learners.
These five signs are not an exhaustive list, but they are a strong starting point for evaluating whether a classroom is truly inclusive. If you are a parent, you can use this list to guide your observations and your conversations with your child's teacher. If you are an educator, you can use it to reflect on your own practice and identify areas for growth.