Arizona Inclusion Network

A program found in all four high schools in the Diocese of Arlington is making an impact on students with disabilities. The Options Program is a special education program for students diagnosed with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Its goal is to provide an individualized and inclusive, student-centered Catholic education in small classes to help students work on goals and develop skills needed to transition into adulthood and the workplace. Kathleen McNutt, head of school at Bishop Ireton (BI) High School in Alexandria, Virginia, has been working at BI since 2019 but has been an educator within the Diocese of Arlington since 2009. She explained that in 2019, the school began to hire staff who specialize in special education. “Bishop Ireton staff saw and understood the importance of providing special education support and accommodations for qualifying students who wanted a Catholic college preparatory education,” she told CNA in an interview. “While that meant additional budgetary increases, we recognized the need and began the process of change.” bit.ly/47mo9Hd