The Down Syndrome Association of Charlotte brings you, “Inclusion Works!” a symposium for educators, parents, and professionals to learn about how a fully inclusive classroom can be a success.

Montgomery County Public Schools in the mountains of southwest Virginia has been a fully inclusive district for nearly twenty years; students in Montgomery County attend their neighborhood schools, and there are no separate special education classes or schools in the district. Their efforts have been profiled in two HBO documentary films, one of which won an Academy Award. The symposium will focus on key elements in Montgomery County’s successful and durable move to inclusive education for all students. At the system level, presenters will address the “action steps” used system-wide in making the transition and lessons learned along the way. At the school level: values and philosophy, curriculum, staffing, scheduling and problem-solving at a highly successful inclusive school. At the classroom level, presenters will discuss co-teaching, team planning, problemsolving, and facilitating peer relationships in both primary and upper elementary grade levels. There will be ample time for questions and discussion throughout the day.

Print the downloadable PDF here »