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Chaparral High students say inclusion should be foundational in Scottsdale Unified School District
Summary
Two students representing Chaparral High School told a Scottsdale Unified School District forum that inclusion should create equitable, accessible learning environments for students, staff and families and be built into school practice rather than added later.
Two students from Chaparral High School in the Scottsdale Unified School District described inclusion as creating equitable, accessible environments for students, staff and families.
"Inclusion means we create an equitable environment where everyone is respected, is treated with dignity, and has a sense of belonging," said Student (Chaparral High School, Speaker 1). "Inclusion is a super important value at Chaparral High School and in SUSD, but I really started learning inclusion from my family. My parents taught me from a very young age that everyone deserves to have the same experiences as everyone else and being different does not make those people wrong or bad. Everyone just is a person and we're all human beings."
"Inclusion means that we create spaces, materials, and opportunities that are accessible to everyone in meaningful ways. It should be the foundation of what we do rather than something that we have to go back and add on," said Student (Chaparral High School, Speaker 2). The speaker added that teaching to students who need the most help while providing enrichment to others benefits overall classroom education.
Both students emphasized that inclusion extends beyond students to include staff and families. "I think it's really important to remember that inclusion isn't just for students. It means that all staff is included. All families are welcome. Everyone is empowered to participate," Student (Speaker 2) said. Student (Speaker 1) also urged teachers to support students' confidence and ambitions: "In any way that teachers can impact and help grow these kids to make sure that they feel feel like they can change the world ... that is so important. And this is where it starts, in school with teachers, making them feel inspired, make them feel like they can do anything."
The transcript provided short, first-person remarks by the two students and did not record any formal action, vote, or district response on next steps.
