Common Se nse Tools – Network Magazine

Commoe Tools

Common Sense Tools – and article in  “Quality Outcomes-Driven Education,” explores strategies for inclusive education, emphasizing the importance of integrating all children, regardless of their physical, mental, or emotional needs, into regular classrooms. ​ Written by Marsha Forest and Jack Pearpoint, it introduces two practical tools: MAPS (Making Action Plans) and Circles of Friends. ​ These approaches foster collaboration among educators, families, and communities to create personalized, inclusive learning environments. ​ The authors challenge segregation in education, arguing it is unethical, uneconomic, and detrimental to all children. ​ They advocate for slaying the “dragon of fear” that often prevents educators from embracing inclusion and highlight success stories from schools in Canada and the USA. ​

MAPS is a structured planning process that helps teams identify a child’s dreams, strengths, and needs, while Circles of Friends build intentional support networks to combat isolation. The document shares inspiring real-life examples, such as Diane and Norman, whose lives transformed through these strategies. ​ It emphasizes that inclusion is not a quick fix but requires commitment, teamwork, and creativity. ​

The authors passionately call for action, urging educators to embrace inclusion as a right, not a privilege, and to see challenges as opportunities for growth. ​ With practical advice and heartfelt stories, this document is a powerful resource for anyone seeking to create a more inclusive and compassionate educational system. ​