VSB Cuts to Special Education

Resource Links on Inclusion:

Project CHOICES - Illinois

Choices 2nd home gif The purpose of CHOICES/Early CHOICES is to increase the capacities of school districts and educational personnel to educate and provide supports and services to children and youth with disabilities in the preschool, school, and community environments in which they would participate if not identified as having a disability.

The Vancouver School Board

About VSB gif Our very own school board's home page. Gee, it looks like they understand what we parents have been talking about, but where's the commitment? Have the Trustees ever read their own mission statement or their list of beliefs? If they have, do they understand them? Just in case they should come here and read this, here's a few choice items that they should take note of, taken from this list.

From the Vancouver School Board Mission Statement, beliefs. Check out the page for a full listing:

We believe in being strong advocates for the rights of children.
We believe in the provision of a wide range of programs, services and resources to meet the needs, interests and abilities of all learners.
We believe in fair and equitable distribution of resources.
We believe in the dignity of the individual and the development of self esteem.
We believe in equitable treatment for all individuals regardless of race, culture, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or physical or mental ability.
We believe in equal opportunity and equal access to the best possible education in a supportive, positive and challenging environment.
We believe in a commitment to excellence.

British Columbia Ministry of Education, Skills and Training
Special Education Home Page

BC GOV gif Information from our own Province (B.C.) in regards to policies, procedures, resources, guidelines, etc. regarding Special Education and Inclusion. They talk the talk, but can they walk the walk. Although the page indicates that it is current (January 31, 1997) the message from the Minister of Education is from Art Charbonneau - where is he now?

This does provide the government's official policy in regards to the education system and is a must read for all parents. Does it look like the official policy is being adhered to in the current round of budget cuts?

This link is currently broken - attempting to locate correct URL - Please check back again
BCTF - Inclusion Resource Network

Inclusion gif The Inclusion Resource Network is a consultation service for teachers and teacher assistants working with students with special needs. The project grew out of discussions in the Special Education Advisory Committee which assisted the B.C. Ministry of Education in its review of special education. This project is jointly administered by the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training and the British Columbia Teachers' Federation.

This link is currently broken - attempting to locate correct URL - Please check back again
The Family Village

Family Village, a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with developmental delays and other disabilities, their families, and those that provide them services and supports.

Kids R Kids, Inc

Kids R Kids, Inc. is a non-profit organization co-founded by parents, and organized by volunteers. The Goals of Kids R Kids, Inc. include a desire to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities. We support the belief that children with disabilities, like all children, have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our communities.

Inclusion: School as a Caring Community

THE BOOK ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION. Children with special needs are now part of the regular classroom. Teachers seeking success with inclusion will find help and inspiration here.

Inclusive Education Web Site

Whether you're familiar with inclusive education or have little idea what the term means, this web site is designed to help you learn more about it. By answering some of the most frequently asked question on inclusion, you'll get some basic guidelines for teaching in an inclusive classroom. Resources for learning more about inclusive education are also included. This site is produced by the Renaissance Group, a consortium of universities noted for their teacher education programs and working to reform teacher education.

Utah's Project for Inclusion

Goal: To assist school districts who are proactively committed to quality inclusive education in neighborhood schools in developing within district resources and expertise in the area of inclusion.

Goal: Serve as a resource for administrators, educators, students, family members, and others regarding effective inclusionary education in neighborhood schools.

Florida Inclusion Network

Just getting under way, but considering their motto: Schools must become communities of learners rather than institutions of learning., they deserve a visit!

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Project CHOICES - Illinois
	The purpose of CHOICES/Early CHOICES is to increase the capacities of school districts and educational personnel to educate and provide supports and services to children and youth with disabilities in the preschool, school, and community environments in which they would participate if not identified as having a disability.
The Vancouver School Board
	Our very own school board's home page. Gee, it looks like they understand what we parents have been talking about, but where's the commitment? Have the Trustees ever read their own mission statement or their list of beliefs? If they have, do they understand them? Just in case they should come here and read this, here's a few choice items that they should take note of, taken from this list.
From the Vancouver School Board Mission Statement, beliefs. Check out the page for a full listing: We believe in being strong advocates for the rights of children. We believe in the provision of a wide range of programs, services and resources to meet the needs, interests and abilities of all learners. We believe in fair and equitable distribution of resources. We believe in the dignity of the individual and the development of self esteem. We believe in equitable treatment for all individuals regardless of race, culture, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or physical or mental ability. We believe in equal opportunity and equal access to the best possible education in a supportive, positive and challenging environment. We believe in a commitment to excellence.
British Columbia Ministry of Education, Skills and Training Special Education Home Page

	Information from our own Province (B.C.) in regards to policies, procedures, resources, guidelines, etc. regarding Special Education and Inclusion. They talk the talk, but can they walk the walk. Although the page indicates that it is current (January 31, 1997) the message from the Minister of Education is from Art Charbonneau - where is he now? This does provide the government's official policy in regards to the education system and is a must read for all parents. Does it look like the official policy is being adhered to in the current round of budget cuts?
This link is currently broken - attempting to locate correct URL - Please check back again BCTF - Inclusion Resource Network
	The Inclusion Resource Network is a consultation service for teachers and teacher assistants working with students with special needs. The project grew out of discussions in the Special Education Advisory Committee which assisted the B.C. Ministry of Education in its review of special education. This project is jointly administered by the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training and the British Columbia Teachers' Federation.
This link is currently broken - attempting to locate correct URL - Please check back again The Family Village
	Family Village, a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with developmental delays and other disabilities, their families, and those that provide them services and supports.
Kids R Kids, Inc
	Kids R Kids, Inc. is a non-profit organization co-founded by parents, and organized by volunteers. The Goals of Kids R Kids, Inc. include a desire to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities. We support the belief that children with disabilities, like all children, have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our communities.
Inclusion: School as a Caring Community
	THE BOOK ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION. Children with special needs are now part of the regular classroom. Teachers seeking success with inclusion will find help and inspiration here.
Inclusive Education Web Site
	Whether you're familiar with inclusive education or have little idea what the term means, this web site is designed to help you learn more about it. By answering some of the most frequently asked question on inclusion, you'll get some basic guidelines for teaching in an inclusive classroom. Resources for learning more about inclusive education are also included. This site is produced by the *Renaissance Group*, a consortium of universities noted for their teacher education programs and working to reform teacher education.
Utah's Project for Inclusion
	Goal: To assist school districts who are proactively committed to quality inclusive education in neighborhood schools in developing within district resources and expertise in the area of inclusion. Goal: Serve as a resource for administrators, educators, students, family members, and others regarding effective inclusionary education in neighborhood schools.
Florida Inclusion Network
	Just getting under way, but considering their motto: Schools must become communities of learners rather than institutions of learning., they deserve a visit!