TEACHERS ONLY!!!!!! How do you feel about inclusion?

Question

If you could please include what grade you teach and the school and/or area. Thanks!

Answer 1

when doen right-it is appropriate for some students--not all-

have worked with various levels including HS and MS inclusion as well as self contained

Answer 2

I think it is a great idea provided that the students are ready for it and everyone involved is on board.  I don't recommend it if the gen ed teacher is opposed to it b/c the student ends up suffering.

Answer 3

I have seen it work well in grades 3-5 with writing classes. I have also seen it fail miserably.

It takes the right combination of special ed and regular ed teachers committed to student learning.

When it failed miserably, the regular ed teacher wanted to be in control of disseminating all information ("Sage on Stage Syndrome").

When it succeeded, both teachers cooperated and collaborated. The ebb and flow of lessons went smoothly with much more of the "Guide on the Side" mindset. Each supported the other and the students benefited as evidenced by their state test results. Not to mention the enthusiasm the students had for writing.

It takes the right match of teachers.

Answer 4

I am all for inclusion when it is done appropriately.  Too often I feel that the school assigns the bottom of the barrel general ed. teachers to the inclusion classes.  We have been trying for several years to arrange for one of our top biology teachers to take over the inclusion biology section (he wants to and would be fantastic, and we want him to), the school will not do it...they want him working with the "top" students.  So year after year, were stuck with the same sub-par teacher for our inclusion biology.  Inclusion also seems to be an afterthought...the school schedules it whenever it conveniently falls, no thought is given as to what special education teacher would be best assigned (we do co-teaching for inclusion) or if there is even a special education teacher available.  Many times we are only able to assign a para to the class...not that this is always a bad thing, we have some fantastic paras.  It is hard to work in a co-teaching situation with a general ed. teacher who does not want you there.  Often times the special ed. teacher is put in charge of crowd-control and discipline, suggestions for how to modify activities, assignments, tests, etc. fall on deaf ears, and all too often the sped teacher is pulling together groups to work with in the classroom...so it is basically a little sped group in a gen ed classroom.  In short, I do not believe it is a priority and is not set up to be successful.  We do have a few inclusion classes that are outstanding.  The teachers truly work together for the good of all the students.