SCHOOL INCLUSION: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL FRAMEWORK AND LINKS WITH OUTCOMES AMONG URBAN YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

As schools move toward inclusion of students with disabilities, there is need for a common framework for school inclusion, as well as assessment of inclusion in relation to student educational experiences. We propose an ecological framework that suggests school inclusion is best examined as a multidimensional construct with subtypes of inclusive best practices (organizational, academic, assessment and planning, and social). This study examines the extent to which schools ( N = 11) are practicing each type of inclusion and the links between teacher‐reported inclusion practices and student‐ and school‐reported academic and social outcomes among African American and Latina/o youth with disabilities ( N = 76). Results show that organizational inclusion and assessment and planning were associated with greater school belonging and school satisfaction; academic inclusion was associated with higher academic achievement, school belonging, and school satisfaction; and social inclusion was associated with higher academic achievement and school belonging. Implications for research, theory, and school practices are discussed.