PPS Inclusion Initiative

This project is the result of an 18-month study and review of the PPS Special Education Program in which the findings of an external evaluator, and and analysis of survey data from six constituent groups were considered by 120 Stakeholders broadly representative of the community. Over the summer, PPS SpEd staff reviewed and aligned, recommendations to establish a plan for 2010-2011. 
During thisschool year we will tackle three recommendations: 
inclusion, 
communication, and 
collaboration.  
We have been fortunate to receive a grant from the Oregon Department of Education to support our efforts in these areas as a means of improving relationships between educators and parents and reducing the potential for disputes. 
For inclusion, we believe a collaborative decision-making process engaging a range of stakeholders will lead to the best recommendations for changes in the way Portland Public Schools approaches inclusion.  For communication, in addition to the Resource Hotline, we are developing a project that will allow us to make systemic changes to enhance communication.  We anticipate a process for seeking input from stakeholders at different points of the project.  Collaboration will be addressed in a similar fashion to communication. 

Inclusive education is a process of removing barriers and enabling all students to learn and participate effectively within general school systems:

  • Policies, curricula and practices in schools and learning environments address diverse learning needs, whatever the origin or nature of those needs.
  • Schools adapt to the needs of students, rather than students adapting to the needs of the school.
  • Individual differences between students are a source of richness and diversity, and not a problem.

This initiative comes out of an 18-month study and review of the PPS Special Education Program.  The findings of an external evaluator and analysis of survey data from six constituent groups were considered by 120 Stakeholders broadly representative of the community.  PPS SpEd staff reviewed and aligned recommendations to establish a plan for 2010-2011 organized around three priority themes: Inclusion, Communication, & Collaboration. 

 

Joanne Mabbott, Director of Special Education
Jennifer Jackson, Project Coordinator
Diann Drummond, Assistant Project Coordinator
Karen Hannan, Process Consultant & Facilitation
Gary Obermeyer, Network Design & Facilitation
  • Jennifer Jackson, Interim Director of Special Education
  • Diann Drummond, Administrative Assistant