School opportunity for developing human intelligence potential—an inclusive case study model based on organizational needs analysis

Many studies have already highlighted the impact of education on human intelligence. Ritchie (2018) in a conducted meta-analysis of142 studies and over 600,000 subjects identified consistent evidence about the beneficial effects of education on cognitive abilities (even stating an approximately 1 to 5 IQ points for each additional year of education), effects that persisted across the life span and were evidenced across all broad categories of cognitive ability studied. Thus, the author considers education to be 'the most consistent, robust, and durable method yet to be identified for raising intelligence'.

School is the framework through which education produces its shaping effects.

Like human diversity, each school has its own organizational specificity. Therefore, through our proposal, we will illustrate the process of building a model based on the application of Universal Design for Learning in the Romanian school context (preschool and primary classes).

This case study illustrates the internal development solution identified within the IncluzivEduHub project by applying a specific Quality deployment methodology (Voice of the beneficiary, Affinity Matrix, Problem/Solution Tree) based on identifying the needs of the beneficiaries, addressing students at risk of academic difficulties and also those with high abilities. Starting from the needs of the beneficiaries, we ensure optimal cognitive adaptive evolution through Universal Design for Learning and educational therapeutic interventions for 226 students.

Supported by a specific inclusive intervention model, we introduced screening and coteaching and also peer mediation, collaborative learning, art and somatic therapy. The proposed model is proof that the school must assume social functions to identify and support the development potential of each individual student, showing the significant results obtained by stimulating creativity, teamwork, and the joy of learning in specific ways directly addressed to their known developmental needs. Every child matters!