Upcoming webinar on the transition to inclusive education systems
Since March 2023, our researchers Justina Žutautaitė and Fabio Belafatti have been working on a study on the Transition from Special Education to Inclusive Education Systems, commissioned by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD).
Throughout the research process, we collected 16 case studies from 11 countries within the Council of Europe, which showcase promising policies and practices that facilitate knowledge-sharing between professionals who work in the special and mainstream education systems. The case studies focus on a variety of topics, including the transformation of special schools to focus on assistance to students in mainstream settings, building school communities’ competence and confidence, introducing effective whole-school support models, and representing learners’ and their families’ voices in decision-making.
The Final report is expected to be published in October by the EASPD, and, to disseminate its findings with a wider audience, we are organising a webinar, where some of the best practices will be presented by their initiators. We are inviting everyone who is interested in inclusive education to participate, ask questions, and get inspired!
The online event will be held on October 18th, at 14:00-15:30 CET. The agenda is as follows:
Welcome & Introduction by Justina Žutautaitė, Research Coordinator and Associate at Policy Impact Lab
Latest developments in inclusive education in Europe. Presented by Mary Kyriazopoulou, Activity Manager at European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education
Presentations of Promising Practices for the Transfer of Knowledge for Inclusive Education (followed by a short Q&A after each presentation):
- ProKoulu: an operating model for Finnish schools to support students’ positive behaviour. Presented by Dr Hannu Savolainen, Professor at University of Eastern Finland and research team lead of ProKoulu
- Ireland’s pilot In-School Therapy Support Model to improve learning environments. Presented by Dr Brian Fitzgerald, Specialist Lead for Therapy Supports at National Council For Special Education
- Istituto Comprensivo “Daniele Spada” in Italy: opening school, local services and community to each other. Presented by Salvatore Lentini, directorat IC “Daniele Spada” (school)
- Inclusion Ambassadors: pupils with additional support needs voicing their views on education in Scotland. Presented by Inclusion Ambassadors’ project team at Children In Scotland
Panel Discussion. Moderated by Rachel Vaughan, Head of Operations at the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities
You can register to the event here.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e7NCzDvaQ_uDH8Bqb-5Q6g