Allegan Area ESA’s Board of Education has formally adopted a set of guiding belief statements around inclusion of students with disabilities, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and equipped to success. This milestone affirms that inclusion is not optional, but a civil right that must guide the way our member districts and our own programs educate and service students.
“This adoption reflects our belief that all students deserve access to meaningful participation and opportunities for growth in their neighborhood schools and communities,” said Superintendent William Brown. “We recognize that creating truly inclusive environments is a responsibility we all share, and we are committed to supporting staff, students, and families as we move forward together.”
The Inclusion Statement centers on five guiding beliefs:
Presume Competence – All children and their families deserve to belong. By focusing on strengths and possibilities, the district will remove barriers, foster participation, and promote academic and social progress.
Barriers Exist in Systems—Not in People – Challenges to inclusion stem from structures, policies, and practices, not students or staff. The district will provide educators with the coaching, collaboration, and support needed to build strength-based, student-centered systems.
Inclusion Improves Outcomes for All – Recognizing disability as a natural part of human diversity benefits every learner. Inclusive practices cultivate empathy, academic growth, and lifelong success for all students.
Nurturing Differences Requires Support – Educators need ongoing training and resources to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiate instruction, and ensure students with disabilities make meaningful progress.
Inclusion is Possible—and It Takes Time – Building inclusive classrooms, schools, and communities requires time, collaboration, and investment. With the right supports in place, inclusion is possible when students, staff, families, and the community work together.
Rebecca Reed, Director of Specialized Instruction, played a key role in leading this work with general education, early childhood, and special education stakeholders to develop a statement that reflects the district’s shared values. “This statement is a result of thoughtful collaboration with educators and leaders across our district,” Reed said. “It represents our collective commitment to creating learning environments where every student is valued, seen, and supported. Inclusion is not a program, it is an action, and this adoption gives us a foundation to continue building together.”
By adopting this statement, Allegan Area ESA affirms its belief that every student and family we serve—whether through Early On, GSRP, Hillside, the Transition Center, or the Tech Center—deserves access to meaningful learning and a true sense of belonging. This commitment extends beyond our own programs to the member districts across our service area, where we will partner with educators, provide resources, and strengthen support systems to remove barriers, foster participation, and ensure that all students can thrive academically and socially.
“We are proud to take this step as a Board” said Larry Collier, President of the Allegan Area ESA School Board. “This statement isn’t just words, it is a promise to our students, families, and community that we will create schools where everyone belongs and thrives.