Do you think that inclusion should be the preferred practice instead of mainstreaming?

Question

I want honest answers and please explain why you chose it. If you chose mainstreaming, please explain. If you chose inclusion, please explain. Once again, the inclusion I am talking about is the real one. Not mainstream schools that use the fake inclusion. The "fake" inclusion is when mainstream schools group special needs students who are capable of being in a regular classroom but just need the intensive support along with it. The "fake" inclusion has two teachers in the classroom working together to meet the special needs student. The real inclusion is being used in schools that use the Montessori method. It's when all students are put in the regular classroom and everything (special education services) is brought to the special needs students.

Answer 1

HAHA!  I a ma 23 yr veteran "SPED" teacher who loves "fake" inclusion.  It has been a great experience for all the students and teachers I have ever worked with.  A lot of times...the "fake"  teacher, the sped one..lol..even teaches the whole class.  These situations have a whole range of abilities working together.  I am sorry your experience was not terrific.  It takes talented teachers, and it is, by no means, FAKE.

Answer 2

I'm in favor of including special education students to the level that they CAN be included.  That's why these students (in the US) have what's called an IEP, Individualized Educational Plan.  Each student's education is set up to best fit their needs.  If you have problems with your child's IEP, then you need to sit down with your IEP TEAM, and take it from there.  No 1 solution will work for every single special education student.

Answer 3

There are lots of pros and cons in Special Ed.

I hope the sites below will help you.

I took the Course on Inclusive Education around 5 years ago and my computer files are save somewhere in a DVD which needs time to find. Please try it yourself. We have knowledge explosion in the internet.

http://inclusion.uwe.ac.uk/csie/index.ht...

Full Inclusion: One Reason for Opposition

by Donald B. Crawford, Ph.D.

http://my.execpc.com/~presswis/inclus.ht...

Answer 4

To be honest, I wouldn't choose either.  I believe that every student, whether regular or special ed, should receive instruction at their instructional level and using the method that produces the best results.  Our school uses ExCEL scaffolding where every student "moves" to a different classroom for core instruction.  If a student is above grade level in reading, they receive instruction at that level.  And if that same student is struggling with math, they receive instruction and support at that level.  There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution in one classroom.  Having multiple alternatives provides the best opportunity for every student to succeed academically.

Answer 5

I taught in self-contained classrooms for over 20 years.  either inclusion or mainstreaming can work if the teachers and support staff are good enough.  it also depends on the student and what qualifies as the "least restrictive environment".  there is no black/white, right/wrong answer here.

Answer 6

No one solution works for all.  Use IEP's that is put together with student, parent/guardian, and school personel.  This way, you do what is best for the student in all situations.  My daughter (actually step, but she's been mine since she was 8 years old) is MIMH and went far beyond what they thought she could because they met with us to modify her IEP every 9 weeks or so as neccesary.  Sometimes, we only met 2 times in a year, but if it needed modification, we met more often.  She and I fought the High School, which gave her the biggest problems, and with attending 1/2 days an extra 2 years, she earned her diploma.  Had she not gotten it, after exiting school, she would have lost her job.  She has had her job now for 5+ years.

Answer 7

I think that each child should TRULY be looked at carelfully...and determine...what setting and instructional models should be used.....The BEST LRE should be selected based on their needs and abilities......I like true inclusion, but it isn't for all......

Answer 8

The preferred practice is each special student's unique, individual  needs.

Parents ought to have choices; if the program isn't working for their child, they can try another model.

I'm a great advocate of Marie Montesorri, but not everyone is, and it isn't the only way. I chose it for my 3 kids but certainly there are other methods.