The  Wharton Borough Public School District holds firm to its committment to meeting the needs of all learners in the least restrictive environment.  This includes differentiation of instruction, whenever possible, within general education classrooms. Differentiation is done in order to accommodate children with special needs and those who are English Language Learners (ELL).  In keeping with this committment the district applied for and was awarded the NJDOE INCLUDE Grant .

 

During Phase I of the grant, fifth grade math teachers prepare to implement the tenets of Universal Design for Learning in two UDL mathematics classrooms during the 2008-2009 school year.  Sixth grade teachers are working toward future implementation of this design during Phase III in the 2009-2010 school year.  Phase IV of INCLUDE will expand the program into seventh grade mathematics classrooms. Phase IV will also prepare eighth grade math teachers to incorporate the UDL model in their classes after the conclusion of the grant cycles.  In so doing, the Wharton School District proposes to increase the number of learners with mild to moderate learning disabilities and students from the ELL program within the regular education math program.  By increasing teachers' awareness of UDL learning strategies, math content, math pedagogy, and utilization of educational technology the Inclusive Practices Team (IPT) believes that every student can be successful and realize higher achievement in a regular education setting.