All people have the inherent human right to be full and valued members of their school communities, including students with complex communication and support needs. However, extant research suggests these children are overwhelmingly excluded from school communities, and as a result, achieve lower communication, social, and academic outcomes and fewer opportunities for flourishing lives as adults. In this presentation, Jennifer Kurth discusses reasons for this persistent segregation and actions families, schools, and allies can take to make inclusion a reality for all students.
After viewing this webinar, the participant will be able to:
Dr. Jennifer Kurth is Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas, and affiliated faculty at the University of Kansas Center on Disabilities. Her academic interests include methods of implementing inclusive education, including methods of embedding critical instruction within the context and routines of general education while providing appropriate supports and services for individual learners. She also studies how teacher candidates develop their dispositions and skills in inclusive practices. Jennifer’s research interests in inclusive education also include examining outcomes of inclusion in terms of skill development and quality of life indicators for students with disabilities. Prior to coming to the university, Jennifer was an inclusion facilitator for students with mild to severe disabilities at both the elementary and secondary levels.