# The Educator’s Handbook for Inclusive School Practices

**by**  
**Julie Causton, Ph.D.**  
Syracuse University  
Syracuse, New York

**and**  
**Chelsea P. Tracy-Bronson, M.A.**  
Stockton University  
Baltimore·London·Sydney

## Contents

- About the Forms ...vii  
- About the Authors...ix  
- Foreword Cheryl M. Jorgensen ...xi  
- Preface ...xvii  
- Acknowledgments ...xxi

1. The General and Special Educator ...1  
2. Inclusive Education ...13  
3. Special Education ...31  
4. Rethinking Students: Presuming Competence ...53  
5. Collaborating with Others: Working within a Team ...69  
6. Providing Academic Supports ...97  
7. Providing Behavioral Supports ...135  
8. Providing Social Supports: Standing Back ...153  
9. Supporting and Supervising Paraprofessionals ...167  
10. Supporting You, Supporting Them: Caring for Yourself...179  
11. Appendix Useful Web Sites and Resources for Assistive Technology ...133  
12. Appendix Book Club Books, Articles, and Self-Care Books ...189  
13. References ...191

## About the Authors

**Julie Causton, Ph.D.**, is an expert in creating and maintaining inclusive schools. She is Professor in the Inclusive Special Education Program, Department of Teaching and Leadership, Syracuse University.

**Chelsea P. Tracy-Bronson, M.A.**, is an advocate for individuals with disabilities and former elementary educator who has focused her career on bringing inclusive opportunities to all.

## Collaborating with Others

### Working within a Team

> “I used to see it as my space. Now, I see the classroom as ours... it’s like magic... we are unlimited in our ideas.”  
— Kelly (general education teacher)

> “There was a change... he did not have to teach using a lecture format... I contributed thoughts on universal design for learning...”  
— Diane (special education teacher)

> “We were just so lucky... it was openness to learn. It was just huge.”  
— Sheree (parent of a student with disabilities)

### Roles and Responsibilities

#### Special Educators  
A special educator is largely responsible for designing each student’s IEP. They work with a team to determine each student’s goals and ensure that they are met.

#### The Family  
“Be open to the beauty of parent knowledge... React to problems not with no’s but with creativity!”

#### Physical Therapists  
PTs work with students on gross motor development and mobility needs to enhance educational performance.

#### Speech-Language Pathologists  
SLPs assist students in communication skills relating to language and articulation.

#### Occupational Therapists  
OTs evaluate and provide therapy to help students participate fully in school activities.

#### School Psychologists  
School psychologists help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, working closely with teaching teams.

#### School Social Workers  
They provide links between home and school, assisting students and families in overcoming obstacles to learning.

#### Vision Teachers  
Vision teachers support students with visual impairments by modifying curricula and providing needed materials.

#### Audiologists  
Audiologists help students with hearing impairments to maximize their learning experience.

#### Paraprofessionals  
Paraprofessionals support students in various capacities to ensure effective educational experiences.

## Guiding Questions for Teams to Discuss

- **Work Styles**  
  - Are you a morning or afternoon person?  
  - How direct are you?

- **Philosophy**  
  - The goal of inclusive education should be...  
  - To me, normalcy means ...