Question

CASE STUDY: Mrs. Martinez has just accepted a new position at Forest Grove Middle School. She was hired to serve students with special needs in grades 6 through 8. Forest Grove's philosophy is that separate is better in regard to their delivery of services for students with special needs. Mrs. Martinez is a strong advocate for inclusive practices and collaborative professional partnerships. Through discussions with her new co-workers, she has discovered that many of the teachers, paraeducators, and related service professionals feel that it is time for a change in the school's philosophy. Mrs. Martinez has been nominated by her co-workers to present the idea of developing a more collaborative community among the teachers to the principal, Mrs. Jones, in order to begin the process of integrating students with special needs into the general education classroom.
Congratulations! You have convinced Mrs. Jones that establishing a more collaborative community within the school faculty and staff is a great idea! She tells you that she will mandate that all professionals and paraprofessionals collaborate once a week to discuss matters concerning students with special needs. What is wrong with this approach? What are the possible outcomes of such a policy? As you work with your colleagues you realize that they are confusing two concepts: collaboration and inclusion. How would you go about clarifying these terms?

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