• We should consider inclusion when looking at multiple sources of student data demonstrating steady progress in an academic area (MAP, progress monitoring data on IEP goals, etc.) and/or functional skill-specific areas, including behavior (progress monitoring on SEL goals, progress on behavioral data).

• Questions we can ask : 

  • Is the student progressing in their current environment?

  • Is the student showing more prosocial behaviors than previously seen?

  • Is the student showing a decrease in maladjusted behaviors compared to previously seen? 

  • What accommodations would be needed to move the student into a different environment?

• The purpose of a trial is to help assess what a student might need in the general education setting and curriculum or determine what might be a good starting point for inclusion. (i.e., Let’s start with math. If that was unsuccessful, re-meet and discuss a change to Language Arts.) Always consider student data collected as well as strengths and interests.

• A trial should not last more than 6-8 weeks, and a second follow-up meeting after 6-8 weeks should be prearranged and documented on the additional notes page.

• During an already scheduled IEP Meeting: Discuss the data that supports inclusion and strengths in the content area(s) where we would like to begin inclusion.  Document the discussion in the additional notes, including a follow-up meeting date to discuss the trial. 

• Informal Team Meeting then Amendment with Guardian Approval: When reviewing student data and gains made, have an informal discussion with the team about doing an inclusion trial. After team agreement, communicate the plan with the parent and complete an amendment to document the conversation and trial details on additional notes, including a follow-up meeting date to discuss the trial. 

• Be specific about when and for how long the student will be included or what the scaffolded plan will be.

• Success criteria based on specific data should be pre-determined prior to the start of the trial. 

• Once the inclusion is no longer a trial, and we have identified the student needs, we can officially add the minutes to the page through an IEP meeting: Educational Services and Placement Page.

• Document what success will look like and how it will be measured in the additional notes.

 *Various areas where inclusive opportunities may exist. (This is not an exhaustive list):                         Socialization

• What will success look like?

• Define the skills the student will be learning.

• How will we monitor this?

Academic

• What will success look like?

• Define the skills the student will be learning.

• How will we monitor this?

Learning Routines 

• What will success look like?

• Define the skills the student will be learning.

• How will we monitor this?