CIE To Develop Policy Paper on Inclusive Education in Lithuania

Center for Innovative Education To Develop Policy Paper on Inclusive Education in Lithuania

26 August 2008

Inclusive education is an evolving concept that has become integral to the processes of educational reform in Lithuania. The concept of "children with special educational needs" has extended beyond those who may be included in disabled categories to cover those who are failing in school for a wide variety of reasons. In Lithuania, as in all OECD member countries, students with special educational needs are divided into three categories: students with disabilities or impairments, students with behavioral or emotional disorders, or specific difficulties in learning, and students with disadvantages arising primarily from socio-economic, cultural, and/or linguistic factors.

In order to ensure access for quality education for all in Lithuania, there is a need to revise existing policies on inclusive education. In August 2008, the Center for Innovative Education signed a contract with the Ministry of Education to develop a concept paper on inclusive education in Lithuania.

In a study of approximately 60 pages, CIE will:

Analyze the experiences of inclusive education in the EU and the US, highlighting achievements and challenges.
Analyze policies, practices, and challenges of inclusive education in Lithuania.
Provide recommendations on the definition of inclusive education in Lithuania.
Provide recommendations on goals, objectives, and principals of inclusive education in Lithuania.
Provide recommendations on the development of an action plan for the implementation of inclusive education in Lithuania.

CIE is proud to be seen by the Ministry of Education as a competent and reliable partner capable of accomplishing this ambitious task.