Recently, a quote from my book has gone viral and is being shared worldwide! When I first wrote the words, “Special education isn’t about lowering the bar; it’s about building a ladder,” I never imagined how deeply they’d resonate with so many educators. However, the truth is that we’re long overdue for a shift in how we think about inclusion.
This quote has gained traction because it challenges the myth that special education dilutes things down.
It doesn’t.
It’s about access, scaffolding, and equity. But what does “building a ladder” really mean?
I’ve got three practical steps for how we can do that in our classrooms every day.
1. Stop Removing Rungs in the Name of Help
Lowering the bar often appears to be removing challenging work to “protect” students. But when we do that, we’re not making learning more accessible. We’re denying students the opportunity to climb.
Instead:
- Offer visual supports, sentence starters, or graphic organizers.
- Pre-teach vocabulary.
- Read aloud the grade-level text instead of replacing it.
Access doesn't mean less. It means more creativity, more support, and more intention.
2. Every Ladder Looks Different, and That’s Okay
Not every student needs the same number of rungs, the same materials, or the same speed.
Try this:
- Use flexible grouping to allow students to collaborate at varying levels.
- Offer choices in how students demonstrate their understanding (e.g., draw it, act it out, write it).
- Set individual growth goals based on progress, not perfection.
A ladder built for one student might look like scaffolding a word problem. Additionally, it provides them with a communication board to share their ideas. Both are valid. Both are ladders.
3. You Don’t Have to Build the Ladder Alone
Educators often feel like we need to have all the answers, but no one builds a ladder solo. Collaboration between general education and special education teachers, families, paraprofessionals, and therapists is essential.
In my book, Blueprint for Inclusion, I offer a framework for co-teaching, differentiation, and data-driven decision-making that empowers teams to create truly inclusive classrooms- without burning out.
If this quote resonated with you, the book delves deeper into how we can stop lowering the bar and start rethinking what inclusion truly means.
Let’s stop confusing equality with equity. Let’s stop fearing “modifications” and start embracing the beauty of a well-built ladder.
Want to dig deeper into inclusion without overwhelm? Grab your copy of Blueprint for Inclusion here!
Because every child deserves a way up!
Find Blueprint for Inclusion on Amazon at www.teachergoals.com/inclusion.