The action plan that has been developed for the purpose of this paper has been adapted from Gourley's (2003) criteria for an action plan. This action plan that is designed to provide an inclusive education for students with special needs at the school, in collaboration with parents and community, will contain the following sections:
Purpose: the underlying reason for developing the action plan;
Activities: the sequential action steps that need to be implemented and their rationale; and
Responsibility: the individuals who will be responsible for accomplishing the aforementioned action steps.
The purpose of this action plan is to identify comprehensive strategies for creating an inclusive learning community in which all students, including those with special needs, receive a quality education that will allow them to maximize their full potential. In investing tremendous effort to acknowledge the unique needs of the students with special needs, the principal also seeks to promote tolerance and acceptance of differences by enlisting the efforts of all members of the community (Dewees & Velazquez, 2000).
To establish this inblusive learning community, the following activities should be implemented in sequence:
The school should enlist the participation of the school board, the school district and the general community in developing a philosophy that will serve as the basis for the program. The existence of a written version of a philosophy that has been created and honed by all the stakeholders in the community will serve as a powerful reminder of their commitment to the endeavor of creating an inclusive learning environment. Even when the stakeholders experience conflicts with one another over the practical aspects of implementing the programs, they will be guided by their philosophy throughout the process.
With the support of other schools, the principal should work with other principals in identifying the q...