The Development of an Inclusive Charter Elementary School: Lessons Learned

The purpose of this study was to examine the startup of a charter elementary school specifically designed to be fully inclusive. Twenty-one adult stakeholders, including parents, teachers, staff, and an administrator, were interviewed and asked a series of questions designed to solicit information about what they identified as strengths and challenges in the first year of the school. Four major themes emerged from these interviews: Components critical to the operation of the school, initial challenges overcome, positive outcomes, and ongoing challenges. Areas of interest emerging from the study include the distribution of services for students with disabilities, the need for a challenging curriculum for all students, and the university–school district partnership.