TIES helps educators, parents, and administrators create and support inclusive school communities

Welcome! Because you are here, we already know you want to make inclusive education a reality for all students with significant cognitive disabilities. We can help with evidence-based knowledge and resources designed to help you create high-quality fully inclusive classrooms and schools.

You will find tools to help you learn about inclusive education, inspire others, and plan lessons that work for all students. We focus on moving students from less inclusive to more inclusive educational environments.

Time in general education Increasing the number of students included in grade-level general education classrooms majority (at least 80%) of the school day
Instructional Effectiveness Collaboration across educators and specialized instructional support personnel to provide curriculum and instruction in general education classroom
Engagement Engagement with general education curriculum AND age-grade peers
Support Support at both the state and district level and shared ethic of thinking inclusion first
TIES Core Values

Inclusive Education: System Change Broken Down into Doable Steps

IER: The Inclusive Education Roadmap

  • Step 1: Get Started
  • Step 2:Reflect on Inclusive Systems (THE RISE)
  • Step 3: Conduct Initiative Inventory
  • Step 4: Action Plan for Inclusive Education
  • Step 5: Implement and Sustain

Inclusive education system change is complex but can be broken down into doable steps. The Inclusive Education Roadmap (IER) supports that process. Developed for states, districts and schools, the IER guides organizations to systematically plan and implement inclusive systems for all students, including students with extensive support needs. Based on implementation science, the IER is filled with guidance, tools, resources, and concrete examples. Dig in and get started applying in your system!

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Who are students with significant cognitive disabilities?

Students with significant cognitive disabilities are students who require intensive and individualized instruction and substantial supports to access the curriculum. These are most often students classified for special education services under the categories of autism, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, and deaf-blindness.

What is inclusive education?

An inclusive education is one in which each and every student is valued and fully supported as active and engaged participants in their school. This means that all students, including students with significant cognitive disabilities, are supported to succeed in making academic progress, building friendships, and engaging in extracurricular activities along with their grade-level peers. Read more about how TIES approaches inclusive education

Why can you rely on the information you find on the TIES website?

TIES brings together recognized experts in inclusive education to provide evidence-based resources, tools, curricula, and reports so students with significant cognitive disabilities can learn in classrooms with their non-disabled peers. From 2017-2022 TIES was funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.

Resources Our Users Find Most Helpful

10 Reasons to Support Inclusive School Communities for ALL students
TIES Lessons for All: The 5-15-45 Tool
Inclusive Big Ideas: Standards-based resources for inclusive classrooms
Creating communities of belonging for students with significant cognitive disabilities

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