Inclusion Coaches to Guide High School Teams

 

In an effort to effect positive outcomes for students with disabilities in Orange County high schools, the district has hired eight new “Inclusion Coaches”. These new positions are funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Inclusion Coaches were selected to fulfill their new role based on their experience working with students and general education teachers in inclusive settings as well as their communication and leadership skills. Each Inclusion Coach is assigned to one high school and provides support and guidance to their administrators, faculty, support personnel, and families. The ultimate goal of each coach is to increase the graduation rate and academic performance of students with (and without) disabilities.

Due to the diverse needs of students with disabilities on each high school campus, the roles and responsibilities of the coaches are many and varied. Support and guidance provided by the Inclusion Coaches often includes professional development for and collaborative communication between administrators, faculty, staff, and families in order to establish systemic change for inclusive practices. The Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) provides professional development and technical assistance to the coaches in the areas of co-teaching, support facilitation, and differentiated instruction. FIN also supports the Inclusion Coaches by providing resources for assistive technology and facilitating data collection and analysis for instructional decision-making.

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