Whole-school approaches to building inclusive classroom and school

Abstract

Many Hong Kong schools accommodate and serve diverse students with different racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Despite possessing a range of competencies, these students often need to negotiate with everyday teaching and learning practices. At the same time, schools also find it challenging to create an inclusive classroom environment for all students with unique learning needs and capabilities. Addressing such challenges would require schools and teachers to take measures at multiple fronts of their educational inputs. This chapter proposes a whole-school approach (WSA) to building an inclusive classroom and school. WSA aims to make necessary changes and adjustments in the pedagogy, school culture and structure to serve students with SEN better and build inclusive education for all. The chapter also highlights the various teaching and learning practices that may facilitate developing inclusive classrooms and schools in Hong Kong.