Leadership for Inclusive Schools

This book supports the professional learning of school principals, and those who aspire to be such, in development of their skills and knowledge around fostering inclusive schools for students with special education needs. The book includes 27 case stories that are based on research with school principals. Each case includes expert commentaries and resources to support principals and emerging leaders as they consider how to effectively support students with special education needs in inclusive schools. Its premise is based on the recognition that there are increasing numbers of students with disabilities and special education needs in neighbourhood schools. Principals need to develop new competencies to navigate the challenges, and benefits, of including students with special education needs into inclusive classroom settings. The book provides opportunities to build leadership competencies by considering a diversity of cases related to inclusive leadership. The cases in the book are divided among nine sections addressing the following areas: transitions, early years, elementary school cases, secondary school cases, community supports, school board/district supports, school teams, complex cases, and cases specific to new teachers. Seven cross-cutting themes are addressed in these cases including: communication, parents/caregivers, agency/efficacy, collaboration, relationships/trust, legal, and advocacy.

Case studies based on real events and real people form the core of this book. The case studies invite principals to consider the varied perspectives of teachers, students, parents, community members, school boards and other stakeholders as the principals reflect on actions they might take to support positive outcomes for students in inclusive classrooms. Each case study is followed by relevant questions to focus and extend reader thinking as well a generous, annotated list of relevant references. Highly readable and practical, this fresh and well-executed approach to the topic of inclusion will contribute to the development of more effective leaders and more inclusive learning environments in the schools they lead.--Carol Ann Tomlinson, EdD, Professor Emeritus, William Clay Parrish, Jr., Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, In over thirty years of research in inclusive practices I have found a critical element to determine success. For any organization to transform practices to become inclusive, leadership is key. This book, focused on leadership, is a welcome addition to the field. The format is engaging; presenting cases to facilitate analysis and learning is perfect for teaching. I am excited to see the innovative ways teachers and students interact with this text.--Vianne Timmons, President, Vice Chancellor, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Making schools inclusive demands the transformation of a wide range of long entrenched school and classroom practices. This book provides insights on the critical elements of effective and value-driven leadership needed to achieve that goal. The case study format draws the reader into the practical and difficult issues faced by principals in schools every day. In Leadership for Inclusive Schools: Cases from Principals for Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs, Sider and Maich have delivered a resource that will be invaluable for the professional learning of both current and prospective school leaders.--Gordon L. Porter, CM, ONB, director, Inclusive Education Canada, The chapters in this book will support valuable professional learning for school leaders who are striving to establish a more inclusive approach to culture, policy and practice. Learning from such an extensive range of authentic leadership experience will support school leaders to guide their work with students, staff, and parents to establish and sustain inclusion.--Suzanne Carrington, Professor and Researcher in The Centre for Inclusive Education (C4IE); Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, The research is clear; great schools have great principals and vice-principals. And while we have much to be proud of regarding public school systems in Canada, we know that we can do better. Leadership for Inclusive Schools: Cases from Principals for Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs provides a handbook for creating more inclusive learning communities by sharing real-life examples of effective inclusionary practises from practising school leaders. The authors have provided a much needed roadmap and helpful resources for school leaders to create truly inclusive learning communities that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population.--Kevin Reimer, Executive Director, British Columbia Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association

Steve Sider is a former school administrator and current university faculty member who researches inclusive education and school leadership. He directs the Centre for Leading Research in Education and has held six national research grants exploring how school principals’ leadership competencies are nurtured.Kimberly Maich is a current university professor, psychologist, and behaviour analyst, as well as a former autism consultant to schools, vice-principal, and guidance counsellor in charge of special services.