[esd-dir] OSE-Info Update

[CORNELISON Tonya]

CELEBRATE NATIONAL INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WEEK!

Please join the Oregon Department of Education and the Office of Special
Education in celebrating the 3rd Annual National Inclusive Schools Week,
December 1-5, 2003.  This celebration highlights progress in providing a
supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student
population. It offers educators, students, and parents a chance to discuss
what needs to be done to ensure that schools successfully educate ALL
children, particularly those with disabilities. We encourage educators,
families, and community leaders to organize events and activities to honor
this week. 

During the last two years, National Inclusive Schools Week has involved tens
of thousands of participants in more than 5,000 schools and school districts
in nearly all fifty states, including Oregon. The National Institute
sponsors the Week for Urban School Improvement, a project of the U. S.
Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs. The
following list details the characteristics of schools that the National
Institute considers inclusive schools.

þ	Makes sure each and every student feels welcome and is learning.
þ	Embraces the understanding that every student is unique and,
therefore, learns differently.
þ	Understands that all children- students with and without
disabilities, English language learners, those with special talents- learn
better if teaching is tailored to their abilities and interests.
þ	Collaborates with families.
þ	Holds high expectations for student success, and keeps improving.

National Inclusive Schools Week emphasizes the message "Inclusive Schools:
Good for Kids, Families, and Communities." This year, the Week will focus on
families, and the importance of developing inclusive schools where families
are welcomed, respected, and engaged. Over a decade of research shows that
family members play significant roles in the education of children and
youth. A growing number of studies show that when family members talk to
their children about schooling, participate with school personnel, and
support their children's efforts those students achieve more, attend more
regularly, and are more motivated and engaged as learners. At the same time,
many urban schools struggle to get parents to come to meetings and events.
Schools may be unwelcoming and/or intimidating to many parents, especially
those whose primary language is other than English, are working hard to
raise their income level out of poverty, or who may feel shy about
developing relationships with teachers. During National Inclusive Schools
Week, teachers, family members, and others will share their experiences and
strategies for connecting schools, families, and communities in ways that
contribute to the lives of children and youth both inside and outside of
school.

The National Institute has created a Celebration Kit to help. The kit
includes everything needed to participate- publications that speak to the
benefits of inclusive schools, suggested readings for children and adults, a
lengthy list of celebration ideas and lesson plans, and materials to use in
promoting inclusive practices in your community.  The 2003 Kit also includes
"Fostering Effective Family-School Linkages for Inclusive Schools," a new
publication filled with classroom and school celebration ideas that honor
the diverse heritages and cultures of the nation's children and suggestions
for improving family-school partnerships.  Visit the National Institute for
Urban School Improvement's web site at http://www.edc.org/urban/ for more
information.

Many resources related to the Week are available on the National Institute's
Web site. Visit http://www.inclusiveschools.org today to:

þ	Learn more about the Week, including how others have celebrated in
the past.
þ	Order the Celebration Kit on CD-ROM.
þ	Order the "Inclusive Schools" color poster for schools and families
in your community.
þ	Download a press release on this year's celebration.
þ	Download a sample proclamation.
þ	Declare Dec. 1-5, 2003, as National Inclusive Schools Week in your
community.

For more information, please contact Bonnie Johnson Barry at niusi at edc.org.