Education conference

Coaching to Inclusion

Conference in London, Ontario, September 2001

Next year's conference is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2002

The fourth “Coaching to Inclusion” conference was another great success! Over three hundred and fifty educators and parents from south-western Ontario heard Norman Kunc as he addressed the question ”Do All Kids Belong in All Classes? Equity or Excellence in Public Education”. A new term, “Equellence” emerged, as Norm talked about the difficulty in trying to define quality education in terms of either Equity, or Excellence, and that by leaving out some students, we would have neither. He redefined the “three R’s” as relevance, respect, and relationships.

Alex Bezzina, project leader from the Ministry of Education, introduced Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift. Alex talked about his observation that inclusive education requires a change of heart, but many factors can get in the way of that happening. No one could argue!

Two streams of the conference were offered. Norm and Emma spent the rest of their day talking with participants about “Learning to Stand Still; Supporting Individuals with Puzzling Behaviour in Inclusive Schools”. They addressed the importance of understanding the underlying functions of puzzling behaviour, and creative ways of responding to individuals. They clearly illustrated differences between “working on” individuals, using control and benevolence; and “working with” people, respecting that “puzzling behaviour” is communication, and usually a normal response to an aberrant environment.

Secondary school educators and parents heard Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen, from University of New Hampshire; “Asking the Essential Questions About Secondary School Curriculum: Maximizing Learning Opportunities and Outcomes for All Students”. She challenged participants to presume that all students are competent, building on the concept of “least dangerous assumption”. It is far more dangerous to assume that someone cannot learn. She used many curriculum examples to illustrate how teaching can focus on what is essential for all students to know and be able to do, with strategies for supporting students with learning challenges to meet standards in personalized ways.

As everyone gathered after lunch to watch Norm and Emma’s “A Credo for Support”, I was once again reminded of the power and emotion in their words. As parents and advocates for the equitable and excellent education and life that our sons and daughters deserve, there was hope that when they returned to school on Monday, someone would have moved a little closer to having the “least dangerous assumption” of their abilities.

Next years’ conference will tentatively be held on Friday, September 27, 2002, and information will be in a future newsletter. For more information, contact Janice Strickland at djstrick@home.com or 519-473-4686.

A Credo for Support poster can be ordered from Axis Consultation & Training Ltd. Email: normemma@island.net or www.normemma.com

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