Expect, Empower, Engage Resource Database

This resource and the associated process is based on a vision and expectation that each student can actively participate, belong, contribute, and learn in the school and larger community throughout their entire school experience. With a focus on each and every child as a general education student, even if they qualify for special education services, this resource allows for educational teams, inclusive of families, to support access and progress within the general education curriculum and on the student’s IEP goals. This planning and collaboration ultimately enhances post-school outcomes and capitalizes on the contributions of each student within their schools and communities.

Peers have an influential role in promoting inclusive education for students with extensive support needs in their schools and communities. This resource is a toolbox of educational interventions for educators to promote relationships within inclusive educational settings. Each of these approaches are feasible to implement within schools and communities and are effective at improving the educational experiences and post-school outcomes of students with and without disabilities.

School should be a place of belonging for each and every student. Belonging is easy to affirm, but much harder to define. This research-based resource provides ten essential dimensions of belonging for students with and without disabilities. The guide helps educational school communities to celebrate, reflect, and create observable, actionable steps to address each of the 10 dimensions, and to promote greater inclusion and belonging in schools and communities. When each of these dimensions are addressed well, schools become learning environments in which students with disabilities thrive and are seen as valued and indispensable members of the school community and beyond.