Inclusion and Special Education

The Joyce Kilmer K-8 is an inclusion school and also home to a highly specialized strand for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What is Inclusion?

Accommodations are important. Awareness is necessary. But inclusion is not a program.  Inclusion is a mindset.

Inclusion is a belief system that all students are general education students attending school with their chronologically age appropriate peers. The general education curriculum and classroom is the starting point for planning for all students. Inclusion is based on the premise that necessary supports and services for students with disabilities can be provided in the general education classroom.

What is Inclusion in the BPS Schools?

BPS is committed to more inclusive opportunities a part of the entire school and district structure. There is a district wide commitment to educate all students in the least restrictive environment with appropriate services and supports based on their own individual needs and the settings across their day for academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development

What does inclusion look like at the Joyce Kilmer School?

In 2023-2024, The Joyce Kilmer School has inclusive classrooms in each grade.  To maintain a positive and high quality learning environment for our inclusion classrooms, each is supported by a dual certified teacher and a part-time inclusion specialist.  K1 and K2 also have a dedicated paraprofessional. 

School supports available based on student needs include Resource Support, Applied Behavior Analysis, English as a Second Language, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist.