Meeting the Needs of Students of ALL Abilities

"Provides a clear road map for everyone interested in changing schools to be responsive to ALL students. School personnel, school boards, and individual educators will be challenged to think courageously about how schools should operate for every student who comes through the classroom door."—Darin Drill, Executive Director of Secondary ProgramsNorth Clackamas School District, Milwaukie, OR

"Offers specific strategies for creating environments where children can work together and learn from each other regardless of their abilities."—Cathleen J. Chamberlain, Assistant SuperintendentOswego City School District, NY

Promote high achievement for all students through equitable, integrated school services!

This step-by-step handbook provides the foundation for school leaders who want to shift from costly special learning programs for a few learners to excellent, inclusive educational services for all students, including English language learners and those with special needs such as learning disabilities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

This useful guide covers school policies, reform, and restructuring, and demonstrates how to establish standards for physical and emotional safety, student behavior, and quality instruction and learning. Based on current research, this second edition places a greater emphasis on social justice and standards, offers a new equity audit questionnaire, and includes examples of success from schools that have used the book to implement change. Readers will find practical strategies, reproducible handouts, and self-assessments for:

• Transitioning schools from separate programs to inclusive services
• Establishing broad standards as prerequisites for student success
• Understanding legal and financial considerations for meeting student needs
• Preparing for the process of change

Meeting the Needs of Students of ALL Abilities provides a realistic portrayal of how leaders can create and sustain excellent, integrated, socially just schools, and ensure success for all.