Inclusion in the Classroom

Inclusion in the Classroom

Inclusion can be defined as the act of being present at regular education classes with the support and services needed to successfully achieve educational goals. Inclusion in the scholastic environment benefits both the disabled student and the non-disabled student in obtaining better life skills. By including all students as much as possible in general or regular education classes all students can learn to work cooperatively, learn to work with different kinds of people, and learn how to help people in tasks. “As Stainback, Stainback, East, and Sapon-Shevin (1994) have noted, ‘...the goal of inclusion in schools is to create a world in which all people are knowledgeable about and supportive of all other people,’” (Whitworth, 1999)

Of the many benefits aspects for children placed in inclusion classrooms, there is none more important than the academic benefits. One way that students benefit is by learning skills of independence. Special needs students learn to depend on themselves first and then ask for help when they really need it. In the inclusive setting there won’t be as much of an opportunity for teachers or aids to assist all of the students. All children are taught through new and sometimes improved methods when put into an inclusion classroom. Teachers , through training, will learn different methods of teaching concepts that may make it easier for students to understand. Difficult concepts in math, such as volume, may be taught in a new and easy to understand way.

In a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University (Success For All) it was determined that in an inclusion setting “assessments showed improved reading performance for all students, the most dramatic improvements o...

... middle of paper ...

...d students gain better life skills and a better understanding of others.

Reference List:

Walker, K. E., & Ovington, J. A. (1998, September 6). Inclusion and its effects on students. Electric Journal for Inclusive Education, Vol. 1 Ed. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2002, from http://www.cehs.wright. edu/~prenick/JournalArchives/Winter-1999/inclusion.html

Whitworth, J. W. (1998). A model for inclusive teacher preparation. Electric Journal for Inclusive Education, Vol. 1 Ed. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2002, from http://www.cehs.wright.edu/~prenick/ JounalArchives/Winter-1999/whitworth.html

Stout, Katie S.(2001, November 5). Special education inclusion. Wisconsin Education Association Council.Retrieved November 28, 2002, from http://www.weac.org/resource/june96/speced.htm

Special education in the regular classroom.(1969). New York, NY: The John Day Company, Inc.