Page 14 - FDLRS Focus Winter 2021

FIN (Florida Inclusion Network)

District Best Practices for Inclusive Education (BPIE)

Self-Assessment

Palm Beach County School District

In October, 2020 The Florida Inclusion Network facilitated the Best Practices for Inclusive Education
(BPIE) self assessment with Palm Beach County School District. The purpose of the BPIE is to analyze,
implement and improve inclusive educational practices at the district level. The BPIE assessment tool
includes thirty best practice indicators developed from literature, evidence based practices and research
around inclusive education. These indicators are grouped into 3 major domains:

● Leadership and Decision-making
● Instruction and Student Achievement
● Communication and Collaboration

A team composed of diverse participants including district and school based administrators and teachers,
parents, community members and a local educational advocate rated the indicators based on data supporting
the extent to which each indicator is currently being implemented. After each indicator was rated and
recorded along with supporting evidence, the team prioritized three indicators as a focus for improvement.
The following indicators were chosen:

#5: District level administrators allocate special education units and resources to all schools and
grade levels, based on student need and flexible models of service delivery, to facilitate best practices for
inclusive education at every school.

#20: District has data that reflect an increasing numbers of students with low-incidence disabilities
and/or receiving instruction through the access points are educated in general education classes, with
supplementary aids, services and curricular modifications as stipulated in the student IEPs.

#28: District uses a variety of processes and tools to involve family members of students with and
without disabilities in district-wide decision making and planning processes, including initiatives related to
inclusive practices.

The selected indicators were then used to create the district Plan for Inclusive Education (PIE) in which
measurable goals and action steps were thoughtfully crafted. The Plan for Inclusive Education will be
implemented, monitored and reviewed consistently over a three year period to ensure the district is making
progress towards utilizing best inclusive practices for all students.

For more information contact Lauren Peragine (FIN)
lauren.peragine@palmbeachschools.org

Page 14 FDLRS Focus