Chantilly High School PTSA

Inclusive Schools

What is National Inclusive Schools Week?

National Inclusive Schools Week, celebrated annually the first week in December, highlights and celebrates the progress of our nation’s schools in employing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population.  The Week encourages educators, students, and parents to strive for improved academic achievement for all children, including those with disabilities, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and English Language Learners.  Now in its 6^th year, National Inclusive Schools Week is celebrated in thousands of schools and communities in virtually every state in the country.

What does it mean to be an inclusive school?

Historically, inclusive practices focused strictly on integrating students with cognitive disabilities into “regular” classrooms-traditionally referred to as inclusion.  More recently, inclusive practices have broadened to meet the needs of all students with a recognition that all students benefit from more personal relationships with their teachers and instruction that is varied and accounts for multiple learning styles, peer-to-peer learning and problem solving.

Why be inclusive?

With the enactment of No Child Left Behind and revisions to IDEA,
schools and districts are being held accountable for the academic
achievement of all students as a whole as well as that of different
populations broken down as subgroups.  For example, each school is
measured on the academic performance of specific racial groups, student
with emotional and physical disabilities, English Language Learners, and
students from low socio-economic backgrounds.  Research has shown that
instructional strategies that lie at the core of inclusive practices
have a positive impact on the academic achievement of all students
including those that are called out as a subgroup.

How is Chantilly High School Inclusive?

Chantilly High School demonstrates various inclusive practices.  They
include:

• Team taught classes
• Modified expectations
• Multi-level choral groups
• Multi-cultural music class
• Best Buddies
• Open electives
• Community Based Instruction
• Learning Seminar time

Michele Tureaud
ISRT
mctureaud@fcps.edu

 

Factors to Consider for Transitioning Secondary Students with
Individualized Education Programs (IEP)

Support for Families of Students with Disabilities

Fairfax County Public Schools has established a special education parent ombudsman program. One ombudsman, who is also a parent of a student with a disability, has been selected for each of the eight clusters. This person assists parents by providing information related to special education and by facilitating collaborative parent involvement in the special education process through ongoing communication and positive problem solving with school staff. They may also attend individualized education program (IEP) or school-based meetings to help parents and staff members reach consensus regarding the special education process.

Special Education Resources

Parent Resource Center

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/ss/prchomep.htm

Dunn Loring 
M –F  8am to 4pm
Marsha Goldberg  703-204-3941
Marsha.Goldberg@fcps.edu

Aldrin Elementary School
Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 8:30am til 12:30pm
Diana Rooney ph# 703-904-3859
Diana.Rooney@fcps.edu

The Parent Resource Center of FCPS promotes parent awareness of the services provided by FCPS for children with special needs and their families. The Center encourages parent participation in the educational decision making process and provides seminars, training programs, and information to foster the parent/professional partnership.

ACSD - Advisory Committee for Students w/disabilities  

www.fcps.edu/DSSSE/ACSD

Carmen Sanchez or Brenda Cross   703-204-3941
Carmen.Sanchez@fcps.edu

Brenda.Cross@fcsp.edu

They make advisory recommendations to the school board on behalf of students with disabilities.

PEATC - Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center

www.peatc.org
703-923-0010

They serve families of children with disabilities in Virginia. Their staff and board are parents of children with disabilities, people with disabilities and professionals who serve them.

The ARC of NOVA

www.TheArcofNOVA.org 
703-532-3214

They advocate for individuals and their families with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Career and Transition Services

Department of Special Services

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/ss/career_transition.htm
703-246-8116

Their mission is to empower a diverse population of students for transition to a variety of post-secondary options.

VDRS - Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services

www.vadrs.org
1-800-552-5019

They assist persons with disabilities to become independent through training, job placement, therapy and counseling.

LDC - Learning Disabilities Council

www.Ldcouncil.org
They provide information, support and referrals for people with learning disabilities, their families, employers and professionals.

Special Olympics

www.specialolympicsva.org
1-800-932-GOLD

Special Olympics is a year round international program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Autism Program of VA   TAP-VA

www.autismva.org
1-800-649-8481

Their mission is to provide leadership in the implementation of a statewide system of services to maximize the potential and quality of life of each Virginian with Autism across their lifespan.