Educational inclusion: Collaboration and expert practices

Inclusion is a concept that is gaining increasing importance in society, and education is no exception. Educational inclusion is being discussed more than ever because it is widely recognized as the key to ensuring that all students have genuine opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive (Source: Diversity and equity: a global education challenge).

Furthermore, international human rights frameworks have reinforced the right of all students to access quality education, encouraging schools to adopt more inclusive practices. Although progress varies across European countries, data clearly show a growing commitment to integrating all learners. In Spain, for example, during the 2022–2023 academic year, more than 966,000 students received educational support services, reflecting a continuing upward trend compared to previous years (Europa Press).

In this article, we explore what educational inclusion means and invite several experts to share how they experience it in their daily professional roles. These experts are:

• Nerea Armenteros: Primary School Teacher and Psychology Student

• Bàrbara Benavent: Speech and Language Specialist

• Celia Sancho: Educational Psychologist and Primary School Teacher

What is educational inclusion and why is it so important?

In education, inclusion is defined as an ongoing process of responding to student diversity, reducing any form of exclusion, and encouraging all learners to participate actively in both learning and school life.

More broadly, promoting educational inclusion involves:

• Identifying and addressing barriers that may hinder student learning.

• Adapting content, teaching methods, and learning materials so that all students can access education.

• Involving all members of the educational community – from school leadership teams to families—to help create a supportive and inclusive environment.

Promoting educational inclusion is essential because it supports students’ academic, social, and personal development while contributing to the creation of a more equitable society (Ainscow, 2020).

Which roles contribute to educational inclusion?

The short answer is: everyone in the educational community plays a role. However, certain professionals work particularly closely with students who have specific educational needs.

One of these key roles is the classroom teacher or homeroom tutor. As Nerea Armenteros explained during the webinar “La inclusión en los centros educativos: una mirada desde dentro”, the tutor's role is crucial because they are the student's primary point of reference and the person who monitors their academic, personal, and social development most closely. Through daily classroom observation, tutors can identify warning signs – such as persistent learning difficulties, attention or organizational challenges, or frustration with certain tasks – and coordinate with the teaching team and guidance department to activate the necessary support measures.

Nerea also emphasized the importance of communication with families to better support students throughout their learning journey.

“Schools and families are a team. A team either wins or loses together; one side cannot lose while the other wins. We need to be united in everything.”

— Nerea Armenteros

Another essential role in inclusion is that of the Speech and Language Specialist. As Bàrbara Benavent explained during the webinar, her work focuses on supporting students with communication, language, and speech-related needs, while also collaborating with the teaching staff to identify barriers and adapt educational responses accordingly. When a student first arrives, the process usually begins with reviewing previous reports and coordinating with the classroom teacher and school counselor. This is followed by an initial assessment combining observation, specific evaluation tools, and a welcoming first interaction.

“That first contact should be warm and approachable so that students know they are in a safe and comfortable environment.”

— Bàrbara Benavent

The webinar also highlighted the important role of educational psychologists in the inclusion process. As Celia Sancho explained, these professionals play a key role in identifying and assessing students’ needs, while also advising teachers and families on the most appropriate support measures. Through observation, assessment, and close collaboration with teaching staff, educational psychologists design intervention strategies tailored to each individual case.

“What works for one child may not work for the student sitting right next to them, even if they have the same needs. That’s why many support measures involve trying different strategies and adjusting them based on the student’s response.”

— Celia Sancho

Challenges in promoting inclusion today

When asked about the challenges they face on a daily basis, all three experts highlighted several factors that make it difficult to achieve truly inclusive education. Among the main challenges they identified were:

• Lack of human resources: Many schools do not have enough specialized staff (counselors, special education teachers, speech and language specialists, or educational assistants) to adequately support all students.

• Large class sizes: High student-to-teacher ratios make it difficult to provide genuinely individualized attention.

• Excessive bureaucracy: Administrative processes and the amount of documentation required to implement certain support measures often delay intervention.

• Limited material resources and assessment tools: Some schools lack the necessary resources or standardized assessments needed to conduct comprehensive evaluations.

• Need for further teacher training: Some teachers feel they do not have sufficient preparation to address specific educational needs effectively.

• Challenges in family collaboration: In some cases, the absence of a diagnosis or concerns about labeling can delay students' access to the support they need.

Overall, insufficient staffing, excessive bureaucracy, and large class sizes often leave specialists with less time than they would like to devote to students. When asked what they would do if they had more time, all three agreed that they would focus primarily on strengthening individualized support, taking more time to understand how each student learns and adapting activities to their pace and needs.

They also highlighted the importance of creating more personalized materials and working in small groups, as these settings make it easier to identify difficulties, reinforce learning, and provide closer support. In addition, they noted that having more time would improve coordination among teachers and specialists, which is essential for delivering more consistent and effective educational responses.

Technology as a tool for inclusion

Despite the challenges that specialists face in their daily work, all three experts agreed that technology can be a valuable ally.

During the webinar, they highlighted how digital tools facilitate student monitoring, organization, and communication between teachers and families. These tools make it easier to record observations, coordinate interventions, and share relevant information among the professionals involved in a student's educational journey.

Technology can also directly support learning in the classroom. Digital resources, interactive materials, and visual tools can help adapt content, reinforce explanations, and improve accessibility – particularly for students with specific educational needs.

However, the participants emphasized that technology should be viewed as a support tool rather than a replacement for teachers. Its true value lies in complementing and enhancing educational practice.

Looking ahead: Essential strengths for inclusive education

To conclude the discussion, we asked the speakers which qualities they believe are essential for promoting inclusion in schools today. Among the key strengths they highlighted were:

Inclusive mindset

Recognizing that diversity is the norm in every classroom and seeking different ways to teach so that all students can participate and learn.

Flexibility

Adapting teaching methods, activities, and assessment approaches to meet students’ needs.

Motivation and a proactive attitude

Maintaining a commitment to improvement and continually seeking better ways to support each learner.

Continuous professional development

Continuing to learn about educational needs and various learning differences or disorders in order to respond more effectively to classroom diversity.

Empathy

Understanding and supporting students through a respectful and caring approach.

Teamwork

Collaborating with teachers, specialists, counselors, and families to provide a coherent and effective educational response.

Reflect on inclusion with Nerea, Bàrbara, and Celia

Did you miss the webinar on educational inclusion? You can watch the recording and hear firsthand perspectives from a classroom teacher, a speech and language specialist, and an educational psychologist on how they support student inclusion. Recording only available in Spanish.