School PB toolkit: Inclusive practice

A toolkit that shares practices gleaned from the inclusive School PB model developed in response to inclusivity challenges of students with disabilities.

The challenge of inclusivity is particularly evident in the case of students with disabilities. Prior research has found that students with disabilities are usually underrepresented in spaces that promote civic engagement in schools and that adults with disabilities are less likely to engage in civic life, yet youth who have opportunities for civic engagement in schools are more likely to participate in civic life as adults. With these challenges and prior research in mind, CFA and PGI partnered with the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC) in the 2019-20 academic year to implement and evaluate an inclusive SPB process alongside Carson Jr. High in Mesa, Arizona. The Carson SPB Project focused on meaningfully including students with disabilities in all phases of the process. This project created a space for general education and special education students to work together, build relationships, and share leadership roles. SPB became one of the few spaces in which students with disabilities interacted regularly and on an equal basis with other students.

Source: Participatory Governance Initiative, Arizona State University

Year of publication: 2020