Inclusive Education in the Northwest Territories Do the Northwest Territories use the term “inclusion”? Yes, there is a new ministry directive as of 2016.
von Laura Menagh
1. Interesting Point: Support for teachers is a common theme and occurs frequently throughout the directive.
1.1. The document is very specific about the amount of time the learning support teacher will spend supporting teachers. "...will spend not less than 60% of their time engaged in activities that directly support classroom teachers"
2. Interesting Point: The teacher creates the IEP.
2.1. identifies accommodations and/or modifications
2.2. individual student learning goals, instructional strategies and accommodations needed to enable student success
2.3. identification of student strengths and challenges includes such things as information on interests and aspirations, readiness to learn, learning preferences and other relevant factors
2.4. parents, and students when appropriate, have the opportunity for meaningful involvement in planning, problem solving and decision-making
2.5. Ensure classroom teachers know how to utilize ECE approved software
3. Directive Objectives
3.1. 1. To ensure that all students have access to quality education programs within a common learning environment in the community in which the student resides.
3.2. 2. To ensure that education bodies have direction on how to administer inclusive schooling supports and programming.
3.3. 3. To ensure educators are provided with in-servicing to deliver inclusive schooling supports and programming.
3.4. 4. To ensure financial accountability for inclusive schooling funding.
3.5. 5. To ensure monitoring, evaluation and reporting of inclusive schooling supports and programming.
4. Principles of Inclusion
4.1. Recognizes that every student can learn.
4.2. Is individualized
4.3. Ensures access to appropriate learning opportunities
4.4. Enables all students to participate within a common learning environment shared amongst age-peers
4.5. Is delivered within an accessible physical environment
4.6. Is respectful of student and staff diversity
4.7. Characterized by collaboration
4.8. Promotes the involvement of parents/guardians
4.9. Establishes and maintains a professional learning program
4.10. Promotes partnerships between schools and their communities
4.11. Recognizes that every student can learn.
5. Source: NWT MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVE ON INCLUSIVE SCHOOLING (2016) Government of the Northwest Territories. https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/inclusiveschoolingmanualandguidelines-educatorversion-english.pdf.
6. Interesting Point: The education portolio includes culture and employment. "Minister of Education Culture and Employment"
6.1. In BC, we have the Ministry of Education. In the NWT, the MoE is integrated with Culture and Employment.
6.2. Specific community supports are addressed.
6.3. Culture is recognized as a huge part of inclusion.
6.4. Inclusion is not just a school responsibility. Inclusion is a community responsibility.
