Inclusion in the classroom

Inclusion is a word that we hear a lot these days when talking about education. Years ago, children with special needs or disabilities would be put into "special ed" classes, separated from children in mainstram classrooms. It has been the trend for the past several decades to change this. In today's classrooms, we see kids of all different abilities, ethnic backgrounds, race, religion and family environments. The practice of inclusion means "more than just placement in the regular class within school. It means being included in life and participating using one's abilities in day to day activities as a member of the community" (http://www.kidstogether.org/inclusion.htm). By allowing everyone to mix and work together, students can learn from each other's strengths, and help overcome weaknesses.

Some of the problems associated with lack of inclusion in schools:

Appropriate supports and services not available in general education classes

    Students with disabilities not considered in decisions that affect all students

    Teacher preparation not adequately addressing inclusion of students with disabilities

    Paraprofessionals not trained in inclusion

    Funding used as a reason for not identifying and appropriately supporting a student's needs

    Disability not considered when teaching about diversity

    Separation between general and special education -- two systems

    Lack of accountability and failure to collect data objectively

    Laws being disregarded for students with disabilities

    Policies and procedures that ignore students with disabilities

    Parents not informed about the possibilities, laws and rights

    Staff, parents, administrators, government, and school boards uninformed about inclusion

    Universal Design is rarely recognized or considered

    Low or no expectations for students with disabilities

    Stereotyping by label and categorical placements

    False perceptions that "children" must be ready, instead of classes being ready for students

    Lack of Assistive Technology, related services and information

    Little to no local interagency collaboration

    Best practices for people with disabilities is not brought into the general classes