Inclusive Design for Emancipatory and Liberatory Education (IDEAL): Foundations and Implementation in Rural Elementary Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:45 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Inclusive and Equitable Rural Education: Care, Community, and Student Well-Being

Abstract

This study examines the implementation and impact of the Inclusive Design for Emancipatory and Liberatory Education (IDEAL) framework in three diverse elementary school settings. Using action research with multiple case studies over 18 months, data were collected through surveys, interviews, observations, and document analysis involving administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members. Results demonstrate significant improvements in student engagement (35% increase), critical consciousness (50% increase), and inclusive practices (60% increase). Notable outcomes include increased parent involvement (42%), enhanced student-led initiatives (120%), and stronger school-community partnerships (85%). The study provides concrete strategies for adapting comprehensive educational frameworks to rural contexts, demonstrating that transformative education can catalyze broader social change when supported by appropriate adaptation strategies and community integration methods.

Author

• Robert White, ECSU