Inclusion Special Education

Special education swap for Andover, North Andover

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The top special education leaders in the Andover and North Andover school districts have traded towns.

Kathy Fink, Andover's former pupil personnel director, has joined the staff at North Andover Middle School, returning to a goal of working at the school level rather than in a district position.

Joyce Laundre, North Andover's special education director, has stepped in as Fink's replacement. The Andover School Committee approved Laundre's appointment to become Andover's student services director at its July 7 meeting.

Laundre spent five years as special education director in North Andover. She previously worked in Andover as an assistant principal at Bancroft Elementary School but left when the position was eliminated.

"(Laundre) was wonderful as part of our leadership team then and we're delighted she's coming back," said Annie Gilbert, who chairs the Andover School Committee.

Gilbert said that Laundre's work with the town's Early Childhood Center is something that Andover can use.

"She has the experience of having created the Early Childhood Center in North Andover and that's something we're looking to do in Andover as well with our Pre-K as well," Gilbert said.

Kathy Fink was Andover's director of pupil personnel for the last five years. She left Andover after spending nine years in the district, with her first four years as a an elementary program leader.

"I thought Kathy did an outstanding job in Andover," said Cyndie Webber, president of the Andover Special Education Parents Advisory Council.

Webber said that Fink helped the district grow in-house special education programming, keeping students within the district which saves money on out-of-district tuition payments.

Webber was on the committee that helped to pick Laundre and said the district considered candidates from around the state. She called the switch of special education leaders "oddly ironic.

Special Education Inclusion | parenting

Inclusion of special education means the participation of special education students in regular education classrooms and provision of support services to these students. The main aim of education is inclusion for all students in a school, regardless of their strengths and weaknesses in any area, become part of the school community. All students develop a sense of belonging with other students, teachers and support staff. In segregated special education, children learn to cope in a world without disabilities. For example, children with disabilities in terms of communication and are emotionally distressed can not communicate and stay in a more emotional in segregated environments. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is mandatory for schools to educate children with disabilities in general education classrooms. The main advantage of including special education students is that both disabled and non disabled people are brought together in a fellowship. Children learn to accept individual differences in inclusion and education would lead to the creation of new friendships. Education Inclusion also allows the active participation of parents in educating their children. The law also states that students with disabilities have the legal right to attend regular classes and receive an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Although the advantages are many, including education creates uncertainty about the roles and responsibilities of regular teachers and special education teachers. However, research shows that education inclusion may be enforced by a healthy collaboration of special education teachers and regular teachers. With the help of the services would be available in the department of health, physical education department, occupational therapists, speech therapists, etc., the administration of the school can help teachers to develop lesson plans for teaching active inclusion. Thus, schools can create a cooperative learning environment and promote socialization.

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