2007 Inclusive Schools Week Set for December 3-7

The 7th Annual Inclusive Schools Week will be held December 3-7, 2007 to highlight the accomplishments of educators, families, and communities in promoting inclusive schools that educate all children, regardless of their disability, ethnicity, or gender.

The National Education Association supports Inclusive Schools Week and urges its members and affiliates to participate in Inclusive Schools Week activities. For more information, please go to the Inclusive Schools Web site or email inclusiveschools@edc.org.

This year's Inclusive Schools theme, "Lessons from the World: Including All Children," gives educators an opportunity to focus on both international accomplishments and ongoing challenges associated with providing every child with a quality education.

The Week also provides educators, parents, and policymakers with an opportunity to discuss what needs to be done to successfully educate all children and how to promote inclusive practices all year.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that there are 140 million children in the world who do not attend school due to gender, disability, or socio-economic discrimination. And too many of those who are attending schools do not receive a quality education.

Inclusive School Weeks acknowledges much has been done to improve the education of children, but much more remains to be done.

The Week is sponsored by NEA, the Education Development Center, National PTA , Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative, and many others.