Establishing inclusion within schools ensures all children have the best opportunity to thrive. It creates learning environments that cater to students regardless of ability, learning style, or cultural background. Inclusivity has become increasingly important in education today, in large part due to its role in fostering a diverse, compassionate society. We live in a world that’s becoming more interconnected every day, and the need for inclusive classrooms has never been more pressing.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know — we’re exploring what inclusion in schools looks like, why it’s so important, and how to overcome common challenges. You’ll also find specific tips and inclusive classroom examples that’ll help you prioritize this fundamental need in your school.
What does an inclusive classroom look like?
Inclusive classrooms drive effective, positive, cohesive learning environments that meet the needs of every student. While they do cater to students with disabilities, varying cultural backgrounds, and different learning needs, the truth is, they’re actually beneficial for everyone. In an inclusive classroom, deliberate, thoughtful design provides equal opportunities so every student can learn and grow together.
Common characteristics of an inclusive classroom include:
- Diverse representation of students
- Accessible physical environments
- Differentiated and personalized instruction
- Principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Positive behavior support systems
- Collaboration between general and special education teachers
- Flexible seating options
- Peer tutoring
- Mentoring programs
- Mixed-ability grouping
- Engaging instruction methods
Why is inclusive education important?
Once you have a clear picture of what inclusive classrooms look like, you can understand exactly why this approach is so vital for children (and society). The benefits of inclusion in the classroom go much further than just accommodating individual students’ needs. Yes, efforts will impact academic performance, but it’s also key for social development and emotional well-being.
Diversity & acceptance
Promoting inclusive education styles allows students to develop a sense of belonging and encourages students to value diversity. Studies link learning environments at school to students’ ability to develop empathy for others.
When students with diverse abilities and backgrounds learn together, they gain a deeper understanding of individual differences. Early exposure to diversity helps foster empathy, which ultimately contributes to a more inclusive society as these students grow into adulthood.
Academic benefits
Research consistently shows that inclusive education offers positive academic outcomes for all students, not just those with special needs. An abundance of evidence demonstrates that the vast majority of students without disabilities experience either no effects or see positive effects in academic development when learning in an inclusive environment. This is important because it dispels any unfounded concerns about students who don’t require additional help or support being in inclusive classrooms.
Some studies even suggest that students in inclusive classrooms perform better on standardized testing and have a 10% higher graduation rate overall. One study tracked almost 70,000 students with disabilities and found that the more time they spent in classes with non-disabled peers, the higher their math and language scores were.
“When we feel acknowledged, heard, seen, are able to connect, to communicate, and to express more readily. It is no different in a classroom, where we practice life-sustaining skills for future relationships, both personally and professionally. Classrooms pilot connections for a student, and when those connections are nurtured, students are more inclined to learn and make mistakes in a safe and protected environment. That willingness encourages a growth mindset over a fixed mindset-a win-win for learning.” - Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
Social development
There’s no denying that inclusive classrooms foster better social skills, higher rates of empathy, and more productive teamwork. It makes sense that when students with and without disabilities regularly interact, they’ll be more likely to develop deeper bonds, social relationships, and interactions.
The inclusive environment helps students learn from one another and encourages them to respect those with diverse abilities and backgrounds. These essential social skills will benefit students throughout their lives, especially as they grow into adulthood and start working with diverse populations and people from varied backgrounds.
Emotional well-being
Inclusive classrooms can help reduce bullying and build self-confidence while also promoting mental well-being and reducing stigma. Additionally, they have been shown to support social and emotional development by fostering positive social skills, peer interactions, and relationships
Inclusive settings help students develop a strong sense of self. Research suggests that inclusive classrooms can significantly reduce the need for disciplinary action by fostering a supportive environment where students feel valued and respected, enhancing their overall emotional well-being.
Challenges to inclusive education
Although there are many benefits to inclusion in the classroom, it’s important to note that implementing inclusion within schools can also be challenging.
Some of the more common barriers include:
- Lacking resources and funding
- Insufficient or no teacher training in inclusive practices
- Resistance from the school community and parents
- Misunderstandings and misconceptions about the impact on non-disabled students
Students with disabilities also face hurdles. For example, they might need to adapt to physical accessibility issues, have communication barriers, or need more specialized support than a school can offer.
That said, proper planning, resource allocation, and ongoing professional development for teachers can help any school overcome challenges like these.
How to promote inclusion within school classrooms
If you’re ready to face these challenges head-on and create a school environment where every student feels supported, you can take the first steps using the tips and techniques below. When you implement practical, proven strategies like these, you can establish inclusive classrooms that change students’ lives.
Foster a welcoming environment from day one
Classroom inclusion starts the moment students walk through the classroom or school door for the first time. The atmosphere of the classroom should make all students feel comfortable immediately.
Educators can set the tone by:
- Using inclusive language and pronouns
- Structuring the room to encourage engagement
- Using diverse teaching materials and approaches
- Establishing clear classroom rules that show respect
- Incorporating teaching methods that accommodate multiple learning styles
- Encouraging open discussions about inclusion and diversity
- Offering accommodations during and outside of class
- Addressing bias proactively
Get personal with each student’s needs
Inclusion only works when you understand and acknowledge every student's unique needs. Teachers can empower themselves by using surveys and learning profiles, making personal connections, and having conversations with students.
These techniques give teachers essential information that will help them adapt their teaching methods to respond to individual learning styles and needs. The efforts are crucial, as they ensure that all students in the class can access and understand the curriculum.
Provide flexible learning options
Since learning styles dictate how students learn best, using a variety of teaching methods helps accommodate different preferences and styles.
Depending on the need, this might look like offering:
- Visual aids (for visual learners)
- Audio resources (for auditory learners)
- Hands-on activities (for kinesthetic learners)
- Group work (for collaborative learners)
- Individual assignments (for independent learners)
When teachers offer multiple ways for students to engage with instructional material, content suddenly becomes more accessible, regardless of learning style or ability.
“Options are great for students with ADHD because they give a student permission to learn outside a presumed learning style. Alternative learners often feel like they ‘have to’ perform in a traditional scope but when given the opportunity to approach academics differently it allows for more freedom of thought, creativity, and also an allowance to design or approach studies in a different order. Uniquely, this can be so empowering for a student with ADHD, as options give students space to think in a way that suits their own individual train of thought.” - Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
Utilize peer learning & collaboration
Peer learning can be a powerful tool for promoting inclusion in any classroom setting. Group activities allow teachers to partner with students from diverse backgrounds to foster collaboration and shared learning experiences. Peer learning also encourages varied perspectives that can teach effective problem-solving.
Peer learning and collaboration help students learn from each other, develop important life-long social skills, and promote empathy and understanding among different groups.
Celebrate differences through curriculum
Integrating diverse perspectives and materials into lessons makes promoting inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance much easier. By exposing students to new viewpoints, you can help them understand the world better.
Part of having an inclusive classroom means taking the time to celebrate differences rather than allowing them to divide students.
This can be achieved by:
- Incorporating multicultural literature and perspectives
- Teaching history from multiple perspectives
- Including art and music from various cultures
- Inviting guest speakers from diverse cultural backgrounds
- Discussing current events and global perspectives
- Using media and other resources that reflect cultural experiences
Incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL)
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a strategic part of creating inclusivity in the classroom. Teaching emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills helps students develop essential life lessons and tools so they can positively interact with others.
Ways to incorporate SEL into daily lessons so students feel emotionally supported, respected, and valued include:
- Starting school days or classes with a quick check-in
- Using mindfulness in the classroom
- Modeling empathy and using active listening
- Celebrating achievements
- Teaching conflict-resolution skills
- Offering safe spaces where students can express themselves
- Encouraging open discussion
- Normalizing talking about feelings and emotions
- Using group work to help students build social skills
“Fostering belongingness can be a critical foundation to creating an optimally supportive environment for learning. When we are hesitant or feel like an outsider, we are less inclined to express our thoughts or interpretations. It’s most important to create an atmosphere of safety in order to make space for connection and collaboration amongst students.” - Talkspace therapist Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
Model & encourage respectful communication
When students are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings, their environment becomes one of mutual respect and understanding. Educators should model inclusive communication, but that’s not all. Setting guidelines for respectful discussions is just as important.
This can include:
- Encouraging active listening to validate students’ perspectives
- Teaching students the art of disagreeing in a respectful way
- Ensuring every student has the opportunity to share their thoughts
- Addressing discriminatory or disrespectful language or behavior immediately
- Using “I” statements when having discussions
- Teaching “sentence starters” to facilitate constructive feedback — these are statements like: I want to understand; To clarify, what I heard you say was; Can we talk about…
Offer support systems for mental health
One of the most critical aspects of creating inclusion within schools is ensuring students have access to mental health support systems. Emotional guidance helps students feel supported academically, socially, and emotionally.
You can make mental health support accessible to students by offering the following:
- Access to school counselors
- Stigma-free, safe environments for positive mental health discussions
- Peer support programs
- Mental health initiatives in schools
- Daily mindfulness and stress-relief techniques
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs
- Mental health resources and education
- Mental health days for students
- Partnerships with mental health providers, like Talkspace
Empowering minds: Supporting mental health for inclusive classrooms
Inclusive education is more than just a trend. It’s a fundamental shift in our approach to learning and student development. When we create classrooms that embrace and support all students — regardless of abilities, backgrounds, or learning styles — we can foster a more equitable and compassionate society.
Today’s teachers, staff, and school administrators must continue working toward building an inclusive environment that benefits all children. If you’re ready to take that next step and make inclusive classrooms a norm in your schools, consider partnering with mental health providers like Talkspace to increase accessibility to online therapy for students. Talkspace can be a valuable resource in improving student mental health by providing accessible, flexible support tailored to diverse needs.
Inclusive education will improve academic outcomes and shape a generation of empathetic, understanding, socially conscious students. Request a demo from Talkspace today to learn how inclusive classrooms can change students’ lives.
Sources:
- Tikkanen, Lotta, Henrika Anttila, Kirsi Pyhältö, Tiina Soini, and Janne Pietarinen. 2022. “The Role of Empathy Between Peers in Upper Secondary Students’ Study Engagement and Burnout.” Frontiers in Psychology 13 (September). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.978546. Accessed February 12, 2025.
- Hehir, Thomas, Silvana and Christopher Pascucci, Abt Associates, Thomas Hehir, Todd Grindal, Brian Freeman, Renée Lamoreau, Yolanda Borquaye, and Samantha Burke. 2016. “A SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION.” A SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION. https://alana.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/A_Summary_of_the_evidence_on_inclusive_education.pdf. Accessed February 12, 2025.
- NeMTSS Implementation Support Team, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Abril Rangel-Pacheco, Amanda Witte, and UNL-CYFS MTSS Implementation Support Team. 2023. “The Evidence for Inclusive Education: An NeMTSS Research Brief.” Report. https://nemtss.unl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/23-The-Evidence-for-Inclusive-Education.pdf. Accessed February 12, 2025.
- Novak, Katie. 2024. “Is There Evidence That Inclusion is Actually Good for All Learners?” Novak Education (blog). July 1, 2024. https://www.novakeducation.com/blog/is-there-evidence-that-inclusion-is-actually-good-for-all-learners. Accessed February 12, 2025.