Join Lozano Smith attorneys Joshua Whiteside, Jennifer Baldassari, and Haley Fagan in a discussion about special education inclusion following a return to in-person schooling post-COVID.  In this episode they discuss inclusive environments, recent case law, and next steps for the future.  Listen as they delve into inclusion and travel through past and present frameworks to better understand this complex topic.

Show Notes & References

1:26 – What is inclusion?
2:38 – The history of inclusion and why it matters
2:54 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
7:07 – Inclusion levels in classrooms
8:40 – What an inclusive environment should look like
10:36 – Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
11:38 – Rachel H. (Sacramento City Unified School District v. Rachel H. (9th Cir. 1994) F.3d 1405) and the four-factor test
13:08 – D.R. (D.R. v. Redondo Beach Unified School District (9th Cir. 2022) 56 F.4th 636) and grade-level standards (Client News Brief 15 - April 2023)
14:57 – Why IEP goals are not tied to grade-level standards
20:16 – Learning recovery and addressing disparities
23:22 – Referrals for inclusion programs
24:10 – Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum
24:52 – Next steps for the future
26:52 – Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
28:27 – Behavior, discipline, and support for students and teachers in the classroom
35:15 – Check-in's and coming back
37:03 – Final thoughts

 

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.