Inclusion

Learn about how schools work to educate and include students who need extra supports in all areas of school life
Special Education Video Inside an Inclusive Classroom: How Two Teachers Work Together
This model for inclusive education benefits students of all abilities, and the teachers instructing them.
Catriona Ni Aolain, March 6, 2024
1 min read
Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver greets a child at one of the organization’s events.
Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver greets a child at one of the organization’s events.
Courtesy of Special Olympics
Special Education Q&A Schools Should Boost Inclusion of Students With Disabilities, Special Olympics Leader Says
Schools have work to do to ensure students with intellectual and developmental disabilities feel a sense of belonging, Tim Shriver said.
Evie Blad, January 24, 2024
6 min read
Blind person using computer with braille computer display and a computer keyboard. Blindness aid, visual impairment, independent life concept.
iStock/Getty Images
Special Education Q&A Creating Inclusive Classrooms for Blind Students Can Benefit Everyone. Here's How
6 questions with a teacher who has dedicated her career to teaching and supporting blind children.
Caitlynn Peetz, August 10, 2023
6 min read
Equity & Diversity Spotlight Spotlight on Inclusion
This Spotlight will help you evaluate the negative treatment LGBTQ+ students experience, discover the positives of unified sports, and more.

December 15, 2022
Giovannie Tanella, third from left, and Averill Zimmer, share a moment during a Unified Physical Education class at Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Giovannie Tanella, third from left, and Averill Zimmer, share a moment during a unified physical education class at Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Heather Ainsworth for Education Week
Student Well-Being Briefly Stated 6 Rules for Engaging Students With Intellectual Disabilities in Sports
Here's how to get started with unified sports, where students with and without intellectual disabilities can play together.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 21, 2022
3 min read
Saratoga Springs High School Physical Education teacher, Colleen Belanger, left, instructs Hunter Fiorillo, during a Unified Physical Education class at Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. "I've been teaching for a long time and this is one of the best things I've ever done," said Belanger of teaching Unified P.E.
Saratoga Springs High School physical education teacher Colleen Belanger, left, instructs Hunter Fiorillo, during a unified physical education class at Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. "I've been teaching for a long time and this is one of the best things I've ever done," said Belanger of the unified class.
Heather Ainsworth for Education Week
Special Education Unified Sports Level the Playing Field for Students With Disabilities
Interest is growing in unified sports, where students with and without intellectual disabilities can play and compete together.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 8, 2022
7 min read
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A group of multicolored people stand together looking in both directions
Ada DaSilva/DigitalVision Vectors<br/>
Special Education Opinion How to Build Inclusive Classrooms
If teachers start from the premise that all students can make valuable contributions, that opens avenues to success.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 19, 2022
3 min read
Equity & Diversity Spotlight Spotlight on Inclusivity
This Spotlight will help you identify inclusion gaps, evaluate what it takes to create a healthy school environment, and more.
February 22, 2022
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Special Education Opinion Inclusive Teachers Must Be 'Asset-Based Believers'
Four veteran educators share tips on supporting students with learning differences as they return to classrooms during this pandemic year.
Larry Ferlazzo, September 5, 2021
16 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Special Education Opinion Q&A Collections: The Inclusive Classroom
Ten years of posts from experienced teachers of students with learning differences.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 10, 2021
2 min read
special populations getty 920 wide
Collage by Gina Tomko/Education Week and Getty
Special Education Explainer Special Education: Definition, Statistics, and Trends
What is special education and what do we know about the student special education population and the teachers who educate them?
Maya Riser-Kositsky, December 17, 2019
4 min read
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Special Education Opinion How Our District Reimagined Special Education
We should have one nimble education system that serves all students, writes Colorado educator Steve Sandoval.
Steve Sandoval, September 16, 2019
4 min read
Special Education Overlooked: How Teacher Training Falls Short for English-Learners and Students With IEPs
Many English-learners and students with disabilities spend lots of time in the general education classroom, and yet teachers there often lack training in how to meet their needs
Corey Mitchell, May 14, 2019
6 min read