In Stage 4 schools, students with disabilities are able to master skills and content in the general curriculum subject areas. From the onset, a variety of instructional approaches are used to enable all students to meet high standards in different ways. Units and lessons are designed with student diversity in mind. Clearly, teachers and schools at Stage 4 hold a very different set of beliefs from those held by traditional schools, and those beliefs are directly reflected in how curricula and instruction are designed. All students can think and learn.
Diversity is to be embraced and celebrated.
Effective teaching for students with disabilities is good teaching for all students. Students learn best when studying interesting and challenging topics that they find personally meaningful. Students learn best when they are actively and collaboratively learning with their classmates and their teacher. Students differ in the ways that they most effectively learn and show what they know. In addition, the author characterizes Stage 4 schools as believing that schools should be held accountable for all children achieving to high standards.