The Benefits of The Benefits of InclusionInclusion

Dana Bartocci, Sandra Cifelli, Jason Dagato, Janice Benacchio

Inclusive education, according to its most basic definition, means that students with disabilities are supported in chronologically age-appropriate general education classes in their home schools and receive the specialized instruction delineated by their individualize education programs (IEP's) within the context of the core curriculum and general class activities. (Florida State University Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy, 2002)

What is Inclusion?What is Inclusion?

The following provide examples of the advantages of inclusion…

What Do Students in an Inclusion What Do Students in an Inclusion Class Receive?Class Receive?

• Tests can be modified to have less confusing wording, larger text, or less answer choices to avoid confusion.

• Allow extra time for taking tests.

• Providing one on one help to students to ensure they understand the assignments or class notes.

• Adding pictures or video to a lesson to appeal to different style learners.

Children Learn to Accept Children Learn to Accept Individual Differences.Individual Differences.

• Provides opportunities to experience diversity of society on a small scale in a classroom

• Develops an appreciation that everyone has unique characteristics and abilities

• Develops respect for others with diverse characteristics• Develops sensitivity toward others' limitations

• Provides a diverse stimulating environment in which to grow and learn.

• All students have access to additional assistance.• Prepares all students for adult life in an inclusive

society.• Exposure to a variety of instructional personnel,

teaching styles and techniques.• Having more than one teacher in the room will help all

students receive more personal attention and therefore, increase their growth potential.

Improved Learning for Both Classified Improved Learning for Both Classified and Non-Classified Students.and Non-Classified Students.

Two Teachers, One ClassroomTwo Teachers, One Classroom

• Allows the students to get more personalized instruction from the teachers.

• Allows students to ask questions without disrupting the flow of class, easing their fears.

Gives Students Access to the Gives Students Access to the CurriculumCurriculum

• Students with special needs are given access to the curriculum through modifications.

• These modifications allow special needs students to participate in a mainstream class with their peers.

Children Develop New FriendshipsChildren Develop New Friendships• Provides opportunities to

develop neighborhood friends

• Provides peer models (Educational, Behavioral & Social)

• Provides opportunities to be educated with same-age peers

• Teaches socialization and collaborative skills

Increased Self-EsteemIncreased Self-Esteem• Students with disabilities experience an increase in self-

esteem when placed in a general education environment with their peers.

• When special education students are able to keep up with grade-level standards, they will show positive results and, therefore, continued interest in learning.

Benefits for ParentsBenefits for Parents

• Parents of children without disabilities have an Parents of children without disabilities have an awareness of disabled studentsawareness of disabled students

• All parents are a part of the communityAll parents are a part of the community• Parents have knowledge of typical developmentParents have knowledge of typical development• Availability of other parents for support and Availability of other parents for support and

informationinformation

FundingFunding• According to the National

Education Association (NEA), special education services cost a school district around $15,000 per child.

• When a special education student is enrolled in a general education class, the money can then be allocated elsewhere in the district.

• Money can be used for materials to support the special education teachers or for functional curriculum for the students to use as a guide for learning.

2007

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004 requires all special education students to be placed in the least restrictive environment.

• According to the American Institute for Research,

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) refers to the concept that children with disabilities should be educated to the

Least Restrictive EnvironmentLeast Restrictive Environment

maximum extent possible with children who are not disabled while meeting all their learning needs and physical requirements. The type of setting is stipulated in a child’s IEP (2006).

ReferencesReferencesAmerican Institute for Research. (2006). Special education and access

terminology. Retrieved on February 24, 2009 from http://www.k8accesscenter.org/documents/SPEDandAccessTerminology.doc

National Education Association (2002-2009). Background of special education and the individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA). Retrieved on February 24, 2009 from http://www.nea.org/home/19029.htm

Florida State University Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy (2002). What is Inclusion? Including school-age students with

developmental disabilities in the regular education setting.

Kids Together, Inc. (1995-2008). Benefits of Inclusion. Retrieved on February 26,2009 from http:// thechp.syr.edu//incbenef.htm