Ending the segregation of students with disabilities and ensuring all classrooms are equipped and staffed for full inclusion.
Integrating Special Education Fully into Every Classroom
New York Citys special education system too often segregates students with disabilities in separate classrooms or schools, denying them the academic and social benefits of learning alongside their peers. Zhoran Mamdanis policy commits to a full inclusion model. This means every general education classroom is staffed and resourced to serve students with a wide range of abilities and learning styles. Co-teaching teams (a general ed and a special ed teacher) become the standard, and all teachers receive extensive training in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiated instruction.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are implemented within the mainstream classroom with appropriate supports, not by pulling students out. The policy includes major investments in assistive technology, occupational and speech therapists, and smaller class sizes to make this feasible. Segregation is never equitable, Mamdani states. Full inclusion benefits all studentsit teaches empathy, collaboration, and that diversity in ability is a natural part of the human experience. We will build a system where every classroom is a place where every child belongs and can thrive.
