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Inclusion in the Time of Anti-DEIA: Lessons Learned from a Research-Practice Partnership Promoting a Critical Inclusion Framework for Students with Disabilities

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Title: Inclusion in the Time of Anti-DEIA: Lessons Learned from a Research-Practice Partnership Promoting a Critical Inclusion Framework for Students with Disabilities
Language: English
Authors: Rachel S. McClam (ORCID 0000-0002-4745-6094), Alexandra Shelton (ORCID 0000-0003-3659-347X), Lindi R. Shepard, Rebecca A. Cruz, Sarah A. Caroleo, Matthew L. Love (ORCID 0000-0002-3087-5110)
Source: School-University Partnerships. 2026 19(1):27-47.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, Inclusion, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Partnerships in Education, Educational Research, Equal Education
DOI: 10.1108/SUP-05-2025-0026
ISSN: 1935-7125
2833-2075
Abstract: Purpose: This work examines lessons learned from a research-practice partnership (RPP) centered on educational equity via increasing meaningful inclusion and considers how these lessons guided the partnership's evolution and sustained its persistence. We reflect on addressing both agency and structure in RPP work and argue that adaptability and grounding in local language and needs can support equity-centered collaboration amid political polarization. Design/methodology/approach: Employing a case study design, we examined multiple data sources: public data, interviews and focus groups, artifacts and meeting notes. In our initial iteration, we utilized publicly available data to determine a shared priority between our research team and district partners, which led to the co-design of a teacher professional development series. We conducted interviews and focus groups with teachers and district leaders, which foregrounded our second iteration. The third iteration responds to continued data collection and reflection. Each data source informed ways to increase meaningful inclusion. Findings: We distill four lessons that might advance equitable learning opportunities for students labeled with disabilities in the face of political polarization: (1) agency in the absence of structure limits the ability to achieve meaningful inclusion; (2) structure in the absence of individual capacity limits meaningful change; (3) RPPs require adaptability to center equity and (4) grounding in local need and language is a vehicle for equity. Originality/value: Our insights will inform researchers and practitioners pursuing educational equity aims, even within politically contentious contexts, particularly when working from a dis/ability justice lens.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1508457
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Inclusion in the Time of Anti-DEIA: Lessons Learned from a Research-Practice Partnership Promoting a Critical Inclusion Framework for Students with Disabilities
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+S%2E+McClam%22">Rachel S. McClam</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4745-6094">0000-0002-4745-6094</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alexandra+Shelton%22">Alexandra Shelton</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3659-347X">0000-0003-3659-347X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lindi+R%2E+Shepard%22">Lindi R. Shepard</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rebecca+A%2E+Cruz%22">Rebecca A. Cruz</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+A%2E+Caroleo%22">Sarah A. Caroleo</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Matthew+L%2E+Love%22">Matthew L. Love</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3087-5110">0000-0002-3087-5110</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22School-University+Partnerships%22"><i>School-University Partnerships</i></searchLink>. 2026 19(1):27-47.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diversity+Equity+and+Inclusion%22">Diversity Equity and Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Partnerships+in+Education%22">Partnerships in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Equal+Education%22">Equal Education</searchLink>
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  Data: Purpose: This work examines lessons learned from a research-practice partnership (RPP) centered on educational equity via increasing meaningful inclusion and considers how these lessons guided the partnership's evolution and sustained its persistence. We reflect on addressing both agency and structure in RPP work and argue that adaptability and grounding in local language and needs can support equity-centered collaboration amid political polarization. Design/methodology/approach: Employing a case study design, we examined multiple data sources: public data, interviews and focus groups, artifacts and meeting notes. In our initial iteration, we utilized publicly available data to determine a shared priority between our research team and district partners, which led to the co-design of a teacher professional development series. We conducted interviews and focus groups with teachers and district leaders, which foregrounded our second iteration. The third iteration responds to continued data collection and reflection. Each data source informed ways to increase meaningful inclusion. Findings: We distill four lessons that might advance equitable learning opportunities for students labeled with disabilities in the face of political polarization: (1) agency in the absence of structure limits the ability to achieve meaningful inclusion; (2) structure in the absence of individual capacity limits meaningful change; (3) RPPs require adaptability to center equity and (4) grounding in local need and language is a vehicle for equity. Originality/value: Our insights will inform researchers and practitioners pursuing educational equity aims, even within politically contentious contexts, particularly when working from a dis/ability justice lens.
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