Leadership for successful inclusive schools

Describes a multiple case analysis of six elementary school principals considered to be successful as leaders of inclusive schools. Analyses the structural and behavioural factors present in six elementary schools considered to have successfully included students with disabilities in regular classroom programmes. Outlines several factors which were found to be common among the principals of the six schools. Each principal: established a system of communication that allowed staff members to disagree with policies and practices and to make recommendations for changes; was actively involved in the IEP development process; was personally involved in dialogue with the parents of students with disabilities; worked with staff to agree collaboratively on a building philosophy of inclusion; established policies for addressing specific discipline issues arising from students with disabilities; followed a personal plan of professional development regarding issues of inclusion; demonstrated skills in data gathering; and demonstrated skills in problem solving.