PK-12 Education.

What we Do.

Creating inclusive schools requires more than good intentions, it takes bold leadership, system-level change, and well-supported educators and staff. At the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability (TPI), we partner with schools and districts to advance equity, expand access to general education, and improve outcomes for all students. Our work is grounded in evidence-based practices and delivered through hands-on professional development, embedded coaching, and tailored technical assistance.

How We Do It.

System Change:
Districtwide Planning for Sustainable Inclusion.

We facilitate strategic planning that aligns district priorities with their mission and values, placing inclusivity at the center. Through data-informed decision-making and collaborative goal setting, we help districts build systems that are both inclusive and sustainable.

Inclusive Leadership:
Developing the Capacity of Administrators.

We support school and district leaders with targeted coaching and professional learning. From strategic planning to implementation, we equip administrators, trainers, and instructional coaches with the tools they need to lead inclusive change and measure progress.

Teaching and Learning:
Equipping Educators for Inclusive Practice.

We offer interactive, practical professional development for teachers, grounded in equity, Universal Design for Learning, and evidence-based instructional strategies. Our training is designed to be relevant, engaging, and immediately applicable.

Empowering Paraprofessionals:

Building Confidence and Competence.

We provide tailored onboarding and ongoing training to ensure paraprofessionals are confident and equipped to support students effectively. Trainings focus on practical strategies to promote engagement, learning, and belonging in all classroom settings.

PK-12 Education.

.Resources.

This is a PDF Guide to Inclusive Placement Conversations.

Guide  For Administrators & Teachers

Guide to Inclusive Placement Conversations.

A guide to have conversations with parents and families about inclusive placements.

This is a PDF tool that offers an Observation Feedback Form for Observing Co-teachers.

Tool For Administrators

Observation Feedback Form for Observing Co-teachers.

A tool providing questions to guide co-teaching observations and feedback.

This is a PDF guide with questions and Ideas for finding time to support co-planning teams.

Guide  For Administrators & Teachers

Finding Time.

A guide with questions and ideas for finding time to support co-planning teams.

This is a PDF guide with questions to facilitate collaboration between Instructional Assistants and teachers.

Guide  For Paraprofessionals & Teachers

Teamwork in Action Bookmark.

A guide with questions to facilitate collaboration between Instructional Assistants and teachers. This guide includes a checklist.

This is a PDF tool for Instructional Assistants.

Tool  For Paraprofessionals

IA Questions Document for Getting Started.

A tool for Instructional Assistant providing questions for getting started.

This is a video image with a link to a co-teaching video of parents reflections on inclusive education.

Video  For Anyone

Inclusive Education Reflections from Parents.

A co-teaching video of parent reflections on inclusive education.

This is a video image with a link to a co-teaching video of students reflections on inclusive education.

Video  For Anyone

Inclusive Education Reflections from Students.

A co-teaching video of student reflections on inclusive education.

This is a PDF guide with questions to facilitate collaboration between Instructional Assistants and teachers.

Guide  For Administrators & Teachers

Inclusive Leadership Framework & Guidebook.

A framework and accompanying guide with actionable items to develop professional learning and growth of current and future administrators.

This is a PDF tool offering key terms around inclusive practices.

Tool  For Anyone

Understanding Key Terms.

A tool offering key terms around inclusive practices.

Partners.

Buena Park School District logo
Buena Park School District.
Fullerton Joint Union High School District logo
Fullerton Joint Union High School District.
Brawley Elementary School District logo
Brawley Elementary School District.
Poway Unified School District logo
Poway Unified School District.
Poway Unified School District logo
Supporting Innovative Practices.

Additional Funders.

Brawley Elementary School District logo
Thompson Family Foundation.
Brawley Elementary School District logo
Oak Foundation.

Join us in helping our community thrive.