January 16, 2025

The US Department of Education released new guidance entitled “Building and Sustaining Inclusive Educational Practices”. 

“... The Department’s mission is inclusive of all our nation’s children, and we hope that every child feels a sense of belonging and can be fully engaged in learning alongside their same-aged peers…Such practices benefit students with and without disabilities alike, to ensure that each child can engage in the curriculum and have access to the vast array of supports, electives, and extracurricular programs that are offered every day in our nation’s schools.

“The Department is issuing this guidance to encourage SEAs, LEAs, and school staff to uphold high expectations for the academic and functional success of all students through the use of inclusive educational practices and to provide guidance on how to effectively implement these practices.

“We hope that this letter and accompanying guidance will support your efforts to improve inclusive educational practices for students with disabilities.”

The guidance includes specific strategies for school district administrators, principals, and teachers.