No abstract

No abstract

In this article, the authors discuss the small learning community or small high schools literature and the issues surrounding the dismantling of large high schools. Next, the authors describe inclusive education and its apparent relationship to the creation of small learning communities. The authors bridge the gap between the intent of small learning communities and secondary inclusive education. Then, the authors delineate the possible benefits of explicitly linking special education (i.e., secondary inclusive education) and small learning communities. Finally, several research implications of making a link between inclusive education and small learning communities are discussed.

The ills of urban schools are well documented. The challenges of recruiting and retaining quality teachers, student mobility, poor conditions of school facilitates, and lack of parent involvement are only a few of the issues related to urban schools. Large comprehensive high schools are a staple of many urban school districts. This model of educating a large number of students in one school has come into question. The reduction in size of schools, especially large comprehensive high schools is now the focus of many school reform efforts. Lost in this discussion is the consideration of special education services and how special education services can be effectively integrated into any small school or small learning community restructuring efforts. A possible model of how special education services can be integrated into high schools restructured into small learning communities is presented, including considerations of benefits for students with and without disabilities.

Individuals of color with disabilities and/or their family members need access to services and supports that will assist them with daily life and a way to advocate for these services. Disability organizations, whose core mission is advocacy, have had difficulty attracting and maintaining persons of color with disabilities or their family members to their membership and, consequently, to the services or supports they offer. Connections and stronger outreach is needed in communities of color by disability and civil rights organizations to enhance the quality of life and services and supports received by people of color with disabilities. In this article, an innovative initiative designed to help people of color with disabilities and/or their family members to develop advocacy skills and to obtain membership in disability organizations while building capacity of the disability and/or civil rights organization involved is discussed, followed by implications and suggestions for future engagement and research.