Tanenbaum's Seven Principles for Inclusive Education
The complete list of suggested ways to create inclusive educational spaces can be found at The Seven Principles for Inclusive Education (.PDF). Below is a summary of the points and selected suggestions:
1. Teaching All Students
- Expect student's backgrounds and abilities to be different
- Listen carefully to student's questions and comments
2. Exploring Multiple Identities
- Engage students in projects
- Discuss all areas in which a student may find opportunities for success
- Maintain a respectful environment among the students
3. Preventing Prejudice
- Teach explicitly about histories of unfairness, or institutionalized inequality
- Set clear boundaries and rules
4. Promoting Social Justice
- Engage in critical thinking
- Explore power dynamics
- Encourage students to develop a sense of civic responsibility
5. Choosing Appropriate Materials
- Let groups speak for themselves
- Experts are everywhere
6. Teaching and Learning about Cultures and Religions
- Emphasize that culture is not a fixed or permanent condition
- Help students see a range of nuanced views and make connections within and between cultures
7. Adapting and Integrating Lessons Appropriately
- Be mindful of who is in your classroom, so that the lessons can be more culturally-relevant
- Do not assume that you can tell where students are from or how they identify just by looking at them, by the sound of their names, or articles of dress
