Episode 66 Addressing Inclusion Confusion Following COVID

Join Lozano Smith attorneys Joshua Whiteside, Jennifer Baldassari, and Haley Fagan in a discussion about special education inclusion following a return to in-person schooling post-COVID.  In this episode they discuss inclusive environments, recent case law, and next steps for the future.  Listen as they delve into inclusion and travel through past and present frameworks to better understand this complex topic. Show Notes & References 1:26 – What is inclusion? 2:38 – The history of inclusion and why it matters 2:54 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 7:07 – Inclusion levels in classrooms 8:40 – What an inclusive environment should look like 10:36 – Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) 11:38 – Rachel H. (Sacramento City Unified School District v. Rachel H. (9th Cir. 1994) F.3d 1405) and the four-factor test 13:08 – D.R. (D.R. v. Redondo Beach Unified School District (9th Cir. 2022) 56 F.4th 636) and grade-level standards (Client News Brief 15 - April 2023) 18:40 – Learning recovery and addressing disparities 21:45 – Referrals for inclusion programs 22:32 – Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum 23:15 – Next steps for the future 25:14 – Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) 26:48 – Behavior, discipline, and support for students and teachers in the classroom 33:38 – Check-in's and coming back 35:26 – Final thoughts   For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.