Cultivating Inclusive Excellence
Strategies for Special Education
Cultivating Inclusive Excellence is designed for grade 6-12 teachers, paraprofessionals, instructional coaches, and other school-based leaders. Building on the research of Boston College faculty, the workshop is focused on the education of students with high-incidence (mild/moderate) disabilities in inclusive classrooms, matching teaching and learning practices to the classroom, curriculum, and learners. Educators will leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately.
Inclusive education isn't just a philosophy...
It's a transformative approach to teaching that ensures every learner feels valued and supported. In inclusive education, all students have access to the same curriculum and learning environment while their individual needs are met through adaptations and support.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, learners will be able to:
develop comprehensive instructional plans fully inclusive of students with educational disabilities
utilize an IEP to guide instruction
develop accommodations and modifications appropriate to students and the curriculum
design individual, small, and large group instruction
evaluate various service delivery options for educating students with disabilities
identify procedures for collaborating with colleagues, including general and special education teachers and paraprofessionals, in the development and use of IEPs and 504 plans
implement culturally and linguistically responsive instruction, and assessment including accommodations, to support content area learning in various disciplines for all students
Topic Areas
Our workshop covers a variety of topics, including:
An overview of disabilities: impact on learning, participation, and teaching
IEP and 504 plans: development and use
Practices in assessment, instruction, and social/emotional/behavioral learning
Universal Design for Learning
Strategies and supports for content areas including reading, writing, and math
Assessments and interventions
Classroom tips to address disability-related attention and behavior
Collaborating with special educators, specialists, and paraprofessionals
At a Glance
Our Program
Grade 6-12 teachers, paraprofessionals, instructional coaches, and other school based leaders.
This 15-hour synchronous workshop covers a variety of topics in inclusive education. Modules range in length from 1 to 3 hours, allowing for tailoring to the structure of your school’s professional development hours.
In collaboration with members of our team, you can create a professional development arc for your staff that can be built into common planning time, grade-level meeting time, department meeting times, or half-day PDs.
As an approved professional development point provider with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, PCE is excited to offer 15 professional development points for this workshop.
In order to earn PDPs, learners must:
- Attend all synchronous sessions
- Complete all required assignments in a satisfactory manner, based on the standards for the class and the facilitator’s expectations
- Submit the end-of-PD evaluation
After successfully completing all required components, learners will receive their PDP certificate through Canvas within 3 weeks of the workshop end date. For more information on PDPs, contact lynchschoolpce@bc.edu.
Program Developers
David Scanlon
Program Director, Moderate Support Needs
Associate Professor
Questions?
If you are interested in bringing Cultivating Inclusive Excellence to your school or school district, or if you have questions about the program, email lynchschoolpce@bc.edu.