| (Found here) |
Inclusion is the act of "including" everyone. It should not just happen in the classroom, but everywhere. Colleen Tomko hits on this in the following quote in her article "Inclusion" on kidstogether.org:
"It is being included in life and participating using one's abilities
in day to day activities as a member of the community.
It is being a part of what everyone else is, and being
welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs.
Inclusion can occur in schools, churches, play- grounds,
work and in recreation."
Those with special needs are often excluded, whether it be directly from peers or being put into special classes for "extra help." I do think it is important for the students to get the help they need, but they should spend a lot of the time with the rest of their classmates. Have all of the students learn the same lesson, and then the teacher or a special needs aid can work one-on-one with those students who need extra help while the rest of the class works independently (or in groups). If students feel excluded, they are going to shut down - they won't be motivated, they won't feel capable, they won't be willing to learn, they will seclude themselves, and everything will spiral down. These students should feel like they belong just like all the other students in the class.
Tomko provides a great list of the benefits of inclusion:
Benefits of Inclusive Education
The benefits of inclusive education are numerous for both students with and without disabilities.
Benefits of Inclusion for Students With Disabilities
- Friendships
- Increased social initiations, relationships and networks
- Peer role models for academic, social and behavior skills
- Increased achievement of IEP goals
- Greater access to general curriculum
- Enhanced skill acquisition and generalization
- Increased inclusion in future environments
- Greater opportunities for interactions
- Higher expectations
- Increased school staff collaboration
- Increased parent participation
- Families are more integrated into community
Benefits of Inclusion for Students Without Disabilities
- Meaningful friendships
- Increased appreciation and acceptance of individual differences
- Increased understanding and acceptance of diversity
- Respect for all people
- Prepares all students for adult life in an inclusive society
- Opportunities to master activities by practicing and teaching others
- Greater academic outcomes
- All students needs are better met, greater resources for everyone
There is not any research that shows any negative effects from inclusion done appropriately with the necessary supports and services for students to actively participate and achieve IEP goals.
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