The Inclusive Education Debate

Sarah D’AmicoDecember 5, 2013

BackgroundInclusive education: the philosophy that all students, regardless of ability, should participate within the same environment, with necessary support and individualized attentionIntegration: putting disabled students in the same setting as their peersExclusion: special education in separate schools or classrooms

Reasons for Inclusion

Legal, moral, and rational reasonsSupported by empirical research

Demonstrates social, academic, and behavioral benefits

Legal ReasonsThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that children with disabilities should be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).The IDEA defines the concept of LRE

public or private schoolseparation from non-disabled children only when necessarycan use aids before separation is necessary

Debunks myths (“only public schools,” “can’t have aids present,” “all-or-nothing”)

Shows that LRE (and inclusion) can be assessed on a continuum

Examples of applying LRE

full-inclusion, no aid

full-inclusion, part-time (->full-time) aid

partial separation->separate class(es)-> separate school

Paraprofessionals- people to whom a particular aspect of a professional task is delegated but are not licensed to practice as a fully qualified professionalPeer tutors- a helpful reg. ed. studentSpecial educators- teachers with spec. ed. experienceTherapists (speech, physical, occupational)

Child removed only when supports are not enough

Supplementary Aids and Services

If it’s the law, why don ’t we always see

inclusion?The law does not mandate *inclusion*--it mandates LRE.

However, it is possible that inclusion is the least restrictive option, with the child still receiving the appropriate education.

The amount of inclusive time in the school day must be calculated on an individual basis.

Moral ReasonsOften, moral arguments for inclusion parallel those for desegregation and the civil rights movement.Disabled children have the right to learn in the least restrictive environment possible.

They should not be separated by classroom or school solely because they have a disability Specialized services can be provided while in the inclusive class

No need to go to a separate (more restrictive) place

Rational Reasons

Inclusion is a no-brainerbenefits both disabled and typical students

Research on preschoolers shows benefits to social development

Exclusion does not provide better education at this age

All Children BenefitWith Disabilities

• More challenging learning environment

• It is less likely that a teacher will assume a child can’t reach a goal

• Opportunity to observe & learn from peers

• Facilitates social responses

Without Disabilities• Learn about differences in

people

• Greater acceptance of those with disabilities and their own strengths and weaknesses

• Model for behavior

Academic BenefitsWaldron & McKlesky (1998) Those with mild learning disabilities in inclusion make significantly more progress than those in exclusionSignificantly more mildly disabled students in inclusion made comparable progress to non-disabled peers than those in exclusionFor severe learning disabilities, the setting had no impact

Inclusion is LRE, and, although no academic benefit, still social and behavioral benefit

MisconceptionsMyths inform the public’s idea of inclusion“full inclusion for *all* children”think definition of inclusion = integrationspecialized services (AKA supplementary aids) not available in inclusion

Supporters of non-inclusion have only been exposed to low-quality programs, or programs that lack funding/understanding of proper inclusion

Problem is not the philosophy of inclusion

For a successful program...

Need to know what inclusion actually meansNeed funding and resourcesNeed teachers with the right mindset

attitude toward spec. ed. in generalattitude toward included studentsacceptance of inclusive practices

It takes the cooperation of many, but in time, it can be

done!If people learn what inclusion is, they can

give children the education they

deserve.