The Benefits of Inclusion

 

Hope Technology School

Every child wants to belong. Every parent wants his/ her child to excel. That is why parents and students alike love the Hope Technology School (HTS) and that is why the Bay Area Christian Church loves to support it.

Building an inclusive school was a monumental task. Parents faced many obstacles. They fought to believe that creating an inclusive school was necessary because they understood what was at risk. They were driven by a purpose: to give children a hope and a future.

Health statistics point out an obvious need that cannot be ignored. According to Austism Speaks, autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys. The fact is more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than aids, cancer and diabetes combined.

In Proverbs 31:8-9, the Bible calls us to “speak up for this who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”

Inclusive Education

The Bay Area Christian Church has been proud to contribute to HTS since 2001 because they practice something we believe in deeply, that is inclusion. Whereas most schools separate students with special needs from their typically developing peers, Hope Technology School includes all students together in their classrooms.

At HTS, families pursue the vision of a meaningful future for children who are often marginalized and neglected by society. Rather than experiencing the rejection and isolation so common for these families, they enjoy acceptance and belonging to a positive community.

Contributing to the work of Hope Technology School is a way we in the Bay Area Christian Church are able to meet the needs in our community.

Innovative Technology

Through the use of innovative technologies, Hope School educators give their students a voice; a chance for students to express themselves freely and the chance where students’ dreams can become a reality. John Taliafferro, Principal of HTS states, “we look for things that work. We don’t always use things as they are intended–sometimes children find a way to learn and communicate in unexpected ways.”

Academic Benefits of Inclusion

Like many Bay Area schools, HTS administers the CAT/6 standardized test, and for the sixth consecutive year HTS students performed exceptionally well. “Program-wide 78% of our students who took the test, both typically developing and those with special needs, scored at or above grade level in reading. Among the typically developing children alone, 95% pass with grade level scores or better.”

By test results, HTS shows that its program continues to be one of the stronger programs in the area. We are meeting the needs of the typically developing students as well as the students with learning differences.

Spreading Inclusion

We are inspired by the impact Hope Technology School is making in the Bay Area and around the world. With an impeccable reputation HTS is an inspiring example of inclusive education. Educational delegations from Japan and Lao PDR, in addition to public and private Bay Area educators have consulted with the staff at HTS for direction regarding inclusion and innovative technology in the classroom.

HTS has attracted the attention of multiple Silicon Valley high tech companies and inspired them to invest in developing technology, projects such as Hacking Autism, to benefit students with and without special needs. Inclusive education and innovative technology at HTS are having a transformative effect at a global level.

The Bay Area Christian Church is proud to contribute to the continued success of Hope Technology School because of the difference they are making in our community and beyond. Visit the Hope Technology School website for more information.

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