Inclusion Confusion.pdf

Alberta Education's inclusive education policy is confusing, with the ministry claiming to move away from a disability and coding system, but still using special education structures and policies. A 2007 review found that almost half of the 16,000 student files claimed to meet severe disability criteria did not. The ministry's "Action on Inclusion" initiative was replaced by "Diversity", which seems to have withdrawn from proposed actions on inclusion. The authors, supporting an inclusive education system, critically examine Alberta Education's policies and statements, questioning the use of the medical model of disability, which stigmatizes labeled students and conceals systemic issues. They argue that special education should no longer be a parallel and competing system to regular education. The authors track changes to special education policies over six years, seeking a truly inclusive education system, and encourage critical readings of educational ministries' claims about inclusive practices.