Ruth Falco, Ph.D., Director, Research Center on Inclusive and Effective Educational Practices, and Emerita Faculty, College of Education, Portland State University

Ruth’s work focuses on inclusive and effective education. Ruth supports a broad vision of equity and inclusion for schools today. She has seen the benefits to all when diverse children, with and without disabilities, participate in high quality schools together, from preschool to postsecondary education. She has studied the issues that arise as children with support needs transition from inclusion in preschool to kindergarten in their local elementary school. Her current work with the Diverse Special Educator personnel preparation program at Portland State University provides insights about needs for greater collaboration between universities and school districts in preparing special and general educators to create inclusive schools. With her colleagues in the Career and Community Studies Certificate program at PSU, she is studying
inclusive post-secondary education for students with intellectual disabilities.  In another current study, she is collaborating with colleagues to identify educational approaches related to positive outcomes for academic achievement in elementary and secondary schools that serve a large percentage of diverse students with low family income. Ruth believes that all students benefit when schools build a welcoming climate and effective systems and structures to support equity and inclusion for all, including students with extensive support needs, in classroom and school communities. 

Ruth’s experience includes teaching learners with extensive support needs, birth to post-secondary; program administration; personnel preparation; and research. As a faculty member at PSU, Ruth has provided personnel preparation and professional development for inclusive educators; family support and advocacy for inclusive education; and research regarding effective and inclusive education for students of all ages. She co-authored curricula for educators to use in teaching students with significant learning challenges, including autism. She co-led a large randomized controlled trial to study implementation of evidence-based practices for preschool and kindergarten students with autism in public school programs. She also co-authored materials and published articles regarding interdisciplinary collaboration to support self-determination for children and their families.