Inclusion is simply, teaching students with disabilities along side their non-disabled peers. Inclusion is a hot topic on both sides of the educational boat. Both regular education as well as special education have their own viewpoints on inclusion.
Special education wants the children educated along side their peers so the children don't feel excluded. Special education wants every opportunity provided for the children that regular education students have. On the other side of this topic, regular education has their own opinions. The time restraints on teachers and having to teach all the other students in the classroom. Another complaint is training that they need, the money involved in training and the time to learn the new skills.
I can see both sides of this topic. Special education wants what is best for the students and not have them feel like outcasts being separated. Regular education teachers not having the training required to provide a special education student the education they deserve. Special education wants both regular education and special education to interact with each other to build friendships. Regular education not having the time to give to a special education student when they have 20 some regular education students that need their attention.
In my opinion, I think there is both good and bad things about inclusion. The good aspect is that the disabled student does feel included by being with his non-disabled peers. I think this is a great benefit to the student to give him the interaction and friendships that everyone wants. They can feel included in the classroom, specials, and extra curricular activities.
Some of the things I don't fully agree with inclusion is the time and attention they would receive in a regular education classroom. Teachers have enough on their plates to deal with during the day and sometimes the special education students get shuffled and forgotten about. Also inclusion isn't for every student. Being a parent, if my child would benefit from smaller group special education or a special school such as Summit Academy or Potential Development, than that's where I would want him versus being shuffled and forgotten about in a regular education classroom.
I don't think the debate will ever end. Special education and regular education both want what is best for the children. Parents are going to want something else, so the debate wages on.
First and most important, congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI believe, like you that teachers, especially now must be in the profession because of the children. Unfortunately who's responsibility is it to make those decisions? Parents, teachers, and other professionals? That seems like a big fairy tale, everyone doing what they are supposed to. I believe that as you said, the systems boil down to money and what a shame, because what price can you place on children, education, and life.
I would agree that collaboration is a big part of where the children are placed and what environment they are learning within. I would think that it would be hard for parents and professional to decide what environment their child should be placed in for learning, especially when it might only be for certain subjects or parts of the day. As for the debate, I would agree that it will never end and as educators we will always be looking at the pros and cons for children on an individual bases.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is it is about the CHILD and what is in his or her best interest. The parents are the most knowledgeable about the child's needs. But, quality, well educated teachers and administrators can help guide the parent(s) in that decision making process. Collaboration and placement in the most appropriate educational setting is the ultimate goal. It's disappointing that the factors that keeps this from happening could be avoidable.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with your opinion on this issue, especially talking about the continuum of services. I also feel that there should be different options available to students and their families concerning a child's education. I think that if we limit a child's options, there might be the possibility that they will not get the specialized education that they are entitled to. On the other hand, inclusion gives our students with disabilities to grow when it comes to interacting with their typically developing peers. There is no question that this debate is far from over; however, we must remember that these children and their education come first!
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, it's all about the best interest of the students. As a parent I too stand behind you in saying to place the student in the environment that they would benefit from. If my child would benefit from small group learning as opposed to being included in a regular education class. I agree with your opinion, the good aspect is that the disabled student does feel included by being with his non-disabled peers in the classroom, specials, and extra curricular activities. While on the flip slide most times teachers are unable to give these students the attention that they need.
ReplyDeleteI too would want my child in whatever placement would benefit them the most. Couldn't agree more. However, I have encountered special needs parents who want their children educated within the gen ed classroom regardless of the cost to the child. I don't understand this at all. I participated on a team where after hearing all the information from the teachers as well as the student, the mother began screaming that her child had " the right to be with the normal kids". In todays day and age, who can argue with that? Unfortunetly, that was not the point.
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