Sarah York

Education-1100-012
Ms. Pate
12/4/15
The Lowdown on Inclusion
Inclusion or mainstreaming as it was formally known has become more and more
prevalent in the field of education. By definition inclusion is, "The practice of educating all
children in the same classroom, including children with physical, mental, and developmental
disabilities. Inclusion classes often require a special assistant to the classroom teacher. In a fully
inclusive school or classroom, all of the children follow the same schedules; everyone is
involved in the same field trips, extracurricular activities, and assemblies."(ASCD, Lexicon) This
does not always effect just those with an IEP but inclusion might also be used in a setting where
there are Gifted, English Language Leaners, English as a Second Language as well as other
diversities that might affect your classroom. As a teacher its not only your job to know what
your students abilities are but also there disabilities or disadvantages and cater the appropriate
setting for them to best learn.
Many parents feel that by placing the students with a disability in an inclusive setting you
are causing more harm to the whole class but, according to a quick conversation I had with my
dad that might not always be your issue as an educator, the real problem might be what that you
as a teacher are not paying attention to the whole student. It all comes to where the student fits
best or their Goodness of Fit which is basically what situation is the best for that student.
Studies may show that majority of the students can be in an average classroom but in reality

those students are closer to the norm than their peers with other disabilities. The 2009 Illinois
report card shows that close to 50% of students with Disablists can be kept in a general education
setting. Yet a closer look at that years data you will find that around 30% of children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) were educated in the General classroom- lower than a
general disability or IEP based impairment. One might also assume that depending on the childs
knowledge of the language spoken in the classroom they might need extra help with pull out
services, again this should be based on your observations as a teacher. Something to keep in
mind that many forget is that you are not the end all be all with children with disabilities you
should always talk to the parents before making changes and when it comes time to make your
final evaluation you should also look to leaders in your school to help you when it comes time to
evaluate the student for reassignment.
Inclusion has not always been the way that Exceptional Children earned their education.
This is still a fairly new concept that was started around the time of No-Child Left behind. In the
past the students that did not fall within the norm were often put into normal classes with no
extra guidance or put into a special school that helped a wide range of learning and physical
issues. Towards the middle of the 20th century many educators started to pay more attention to
the struggling students but it was not until the passing of the IDEA act of 1975 did teachers really
know how to appropriately help their struggling students. This act is still changing and its latest
version was made in 2004. Even though legislation has been past many educators and parents
still feel that the lawmakers are not fully listening to them and they in order to get the full
experience on the students all parties need to be heard.
The impact of is unclear up until the late 2000s because of the new introduction of
common core standards yet many feel that with the help of bring awareness to the issue and

keeping an open mind towards difference in students learning styles. This is not an old idea
either and we as future educators need to know what we can do to help all of our students
succeed no matter what. If you feel like your standards, you need to pass in order to become an
educator are too high than maybe the idea of becoming an educator was easier than you
originally imagined. It has however shown to help with diversity in learning and allowing
children to understand that even if there is physical, emotional, or mental difference between
them they are all human beings and they all have the right to get the same respect that everyone
else does and is that not our ultimate goal in life to help children understand that their differences
do not determine the person they are meant to be?
In the long run everyone would love to think that all children can be educated in an
inclusive setting yet this should be carefully considered before putting into place. Remember,
understand your students their abilities, where they struggle, and what is best learning style for
them. You should never make this decision on your own always consult the students parents and
if need be your administration might be able to help you figure out what is the best plan of action
for the students. Inclusion can be a good thing but it is up to us as future educators to inform the
public that the right action is dependent on what is right for that given student.

Works Cited
Gargoyle M. Richard. (5th Edition). (2015). Special Education in contemporary Society. London,
UK: SAGE Publications.
Haycock, Kati. (3rd Edition). (November 2006) Vol. 64 Education Leadership:NCLB: Taking
Stock, Looking Forward: No More Invisible Kids Alexandria, VA: ASCD .
Sapon-Shevin, Mara (Ed. 1). (2008). Educational Leadership: The Positive Classroom: Learning
in an Inclusive Community. (Vol 66). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Toste, Jessica J. (November 13, 2015). The Illusion of Inclusion. Huffington Post, Retrieved
from www. huffingtonpost.com/jessica-r-toste/the-illusion-ofinclusion_1_b_8530372.html