Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

A young child sits in a car seat with a puzzled, slightly incredulous expression. Overlaid text reads: “MY FACE WHEN THE SCHOOL SAYS THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS IN GENERAL EDUCATION WOULD BE TOO ‘RESTRICTIVE.’”

We've heard some wild takes, but calling inclusive supports in general education “too restrictive” for a student with extensive support needs? That’s a new level of backwards.

Let’s be clear: separating a child from their peers isn’t less restrictive... its exclusion dressed up as concern.

A collage of four photos. The top two show a person in a black cap with a “B” on it, speaking into a microphone. The bottom two show another person in front of bookshelves. Text in the images includes questions and statements about schools supporting students who type to communicate, the silence around older typers, and criticism of billion-dollar autism education businesses for denying communication access to non-speakers.

🎙️ New Think Inclusive episode just dropped — and it’s the season finale!

Tim talks with Elizabeth Bonker about empowering nonspeaking folks who type to communicate. They dig into the silence around older typers, school support, and why communication access matters.

🔗 mcie.org/think-inclus...

Discover how the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s EmbraceAbilities project is revolutionizing support for students with extensive support needs in CA on the latest episode of Think Inclusive.

Narratives have the power to drive change.

Here is a clip from Riley Mulcahy's conversation on Think Inclusive.

Check it out on your favorite podcast player ~ Season 12 Episode 32

Tracking Growth as a Teacher With a Journal Adding notes and sketches in a reflection journal can be an enjoyable way to process information and record observations.

This Edutopia article is a great reminder that sketching and journaling can help us reflect on what we’re learning as educators. It’s a simple practice that can keep us connected to our purpose, especially when we’re working to include every learner.

www.edutopia.org/article/sket...

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

"Special education research is, and must remain, a civil rights project—grounded in rigorous inquiry and unapologetically focused on dignity and access for all students."

journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.... @cecmembership.bsky.social

College for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Faces an Uncertain Future Inclusive higher education programs benefit students with intellectual disabilities. But funding challenges are threatening their growth.

For thousands of young people with intellectual disabilities, programs like TerpsEXCEED offer independence, community, and purpose. But with federal funding in limbo, their futures are uncertain.

www.edweek.org/teaching-lea... via @edweek.org

YouTube video by Five Moore Minutes The Cost of Retrofitting: The importance of designing for variability

Another great video from 5 Moore Minutes with Dr. Shelley Moore. Designing for all learners from the start is much better than retrofitting!

youtu.be/J_J_lp_4Oto?...

A Trump tornado hit the education status quo. Is the chaos purposeful or just negligent? For better or worse, the federal role in education is changing. Decisions made by district leaders, teachers, and parents will help set the course for the future in new ways.

DEI in schools is at a crossroads. This piece from Chalkbeat explores how recent federal moves are reshaping public education.

Here is what’s at stake for equity in classrooms.

🔗 www.chalkbeat.org/2025/06/20/t...

Project900 - Empowering Nonprofits with AI Skills Project900 aims to help 900 nonprofits improve their AI skills and marketing this summer. Join our newsletter today.

Hey y'all. We are joining project900.com – a free AI training for nonprofits. If you want to get better with AI, join us!
#project900 #AIforGood

www.project900.com

How Principals Can Boost Teacher Morale Principals share advice for how they support teachers during uncertain times.

Inclusive principals = stronger schools. 💪🏽

This EdWeek piece shows how inclusive leadership lifts teacher morale and builds better school communities. At MCIE, we believe every student deserves a leader who leads with belonging.

📖 www.edweek.org/leadership/h...

#InclusiveEducation #Leadership

PSA: Inclusionists too, can flood the zone, with their inclusion stories.

I’ve seen the future RFK Jr. says isn’t possible Tim Villegas spent nearly twenty years working with the kids Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said would “never hold a job,” “never write a poem,” and “never go out on a date.” In this edition of the Weeklyish, ...

Maybe the real epidemic isn’t autism—it’s exclusion.

mcie.org/think-inclus...

🌟 New Episode Alert! 🌟

In this episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas and Dr. Shelley Moore dive into the heart of inclusive education.

👉 Watch or listen by going to mcie.org/think-inclusive

Today is Monday. Inclusion always works. If it doesn't, it's not true inclusion—today, tomorrow, or any day.

Emmy-Winning Documentary Everybody Dance Celebrates Inclusion Watch the episode on YouTube. Show Notes About the Guest(s): Dan Watt is a distinguished producer and director, recognized for his work on the 2024 Emmy Award-winning documentary “Everybody Dance.” Wi...

Thank you @mcie.org for an amazing conversation about my 2024 Emmy Winning Doc. EVERYBODY DANCE - #Inclusion & #Accessibility are key. Listen here 💜💙 @journalautism.bsky.social @thinkingautism.bsky.social @docclub.bsky.social - mcie.org/think-inclus...

White and blue background with an image of a teacher sitting at a desk with students. The text reads, "Access for All: Free CEC Membership; New members who sign up between March 17 and March 31 get a free year of CEC Membership; At CEC, we believe in access to education that inclusive and equitable for all."

"Joining CEC changed the way I teach and connect with my students."

From March 17–31, new members can join CEC at no cost and unlock:
✅ Expert resources
✅ Professional learning
✅ A supportive educator network
Sign up today to grow, learn, and connect: exceptionalchildren.org/membership/a...

Battle Fatigue: The Fight for Inclusive Education with Dr. Priya Lalvani Watch the episode now on YouTube. Show Notes About the Guest(s): Dr. Priya Lalvani is a professor of Disability Studies at Montclair State University, where she also coordinates inclusive education gr...

"The irony of segregating children in order to allow them to belong is absurd." - Dr. Priya Lalvani

ICYMI: mcie.org/think-inclus...

Take a listen to @priya-lalvani.bsky.social on @mcie.org with @timvillegas.com on her discussion on the “battle” (metaphor) taken on by parents in inclusive education.

I had a lot of thoughts:
A thread 🧵

1/5

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

YouTube video by Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education Battle Fatigue: The Fight for Inclusive Education with Dr. Priya Lalvani

"The irony of segregating children in order to allow them to belong is absurd." - Dr. Priya Lalvani

youtu.be/X5lgZERePTg?...

Children with disabilities swept up in DEI fight, advocates say

“We are concerned, because while the administration may not be targeting students with disabilities, students with disabilities have other identities...” said @timvillegas.com.

thehill.com/homenews/edu... via @thehill.com

A teen with autism and his mom were getting help planning for college. Then came DOGE. A federally funded research program helped students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. DOGE’s sweeping Education Department cuts brought this and dozens of other studies to an abrup...

"The salaries of 61 school staff nationwide, and the training they received to work with nearly 1,100 high schoolers with disabilities for a year and a half, was paid for by the ED."

www.chalkbeat.org/2025/02/26/t... via @chalkbeat.org

Podcast cover image for 'Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools,' hosted by Emily Kircher-Morris and Amanda Morin. Background is a watercolor blend of soft pastel colors. Title in bold purple text with the neurodiversity infinity symbol in the word 'Schools.' A purple microphone icon with sound waves is centered below the title. Text reads: 'Episode 4: Understanding and Confronting Ableism.

🎧 In this timely episode of Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools, @emilykm-lpc.bsky.social, @timvillegas.com (of @mcie.org) and I dive into dismantling ableism in education. We explore how ableism is embedded in schools, the social model of disability, and more. Listen in. #Edusky

diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion

Tim's about to test going live on Riverside.fm in a minute if you want to join in: riverside.fm/studio/think... 📺

Dark blue graphic of lighter colored star background. The text reads, "Whose Choice? Private school choice leads to parents waiving their rights—no guarantee of FAPE, no requirement to provide specialized services, no protections under IDEA."

This School Choice Week, CEC is waving the red flag on vouchers that redirect public funds to private schools that do not need to comply with federal disability laws. Funneling public funds from public education harms children & youth with disabilities.

exceptionalchildren.org/sites/defaul...

YouTube video by Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education There are no 'special education humans.'

Loved being able to chat with Kelley Coleman about how there are “no special education humans” on Think Inclusive via @mcie.org.

Check out the highlight reel !📺

youtu.be/OqOXOskCCa8?...

YouTube video by Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education Embracing Inclusion: Navigating Disability in Education and Parenting with Kelley Coleman

🎙️ New Episode Alert! Dive into a powerful conversation with Kelley Coleman on Think Inclusive about navigating parenting a disabled child. Discover how vision statements at IEPs can change perspectives and promote inclusive communities. Listen now! #EduSky

youtu.be/BzxEcXMnZJg?...

How Leaders Can Cultivate Belonging and Promote Connection in Schools with Alida Miranda-Wolff Alida shares insights from her book, The First Time Manager, emphasizing modeling growth behaviors and offering personalized care in leadership roles.

In the latest episode of Think Inclusive, Alida Miranda Wolff discusses the vital role of school leaders in modeling growth-oriented behaviors. She emphasizes that "everybody is watching you very closely," highlighting how leaders set the tone for their teams.

Listen here: mcie.org/think-inclus...