Understanding Inclusion

Kristin McChesney

Review… Based on the article, what is the definition – or

concept – of inclusion? The generally accepted concept of inclusion is that

students with disabilities attend classes with their general education peers with direct support from special educators

Lesson Objectives You will learn about the evolution of inclusion

in education

You will watch and discuss the impact inclusion has had on students

You will learn what it takes to ensure successful inclusion in your school or classroom

History of Inclusion

Before 1800 •Children with disabilities are kept home•They rarely receive an education

1800 - 1850 •The first formal special education program is established•Special needs students are primarily sent to institutions that remove the children from society

1850 - 1950 •Public schools and specialized schools are established•Minorities and children with disabilities are excluded, and continue to remain largely uneducated

History of Inclusion (cont.)

1950 - 1975 •Brown v. Board of Education – schools cannot discriminate based on race, gender, or disability•1:5 students with disabilities is being educated

1975-1985 •IDEA passes – FAPE is required in all public schools

1985-1999 •Americans with Disabilities Act is passed – children with physical limitations now have access to their neighborhood schools for the first time•1993: Fewer than 7% of school-aged children with disabilities are educated in general education classrooms

Education Today

6.3 Million students receive some form of special

education (over 10% of population)

Including Samuel – A Documentary

What Makes Inclusion Work?Students are in

their home schools, in general education classes

The classroom and teacher are

given appropriate support

There is on-going planning

for success

IEP goals are dependent on the

individual and worked on in the general

curriculum

All students feel a sense of belonging

There is active participation

from all students

There are natural proportions of special needs students in a

classroom

Diversity is celebrated and valued

= SUCCESS

What are the barriers to Inclusion?

Organizational

•Relates to the differences in the ways schools and classes are taught, staffed, and managed

Attitudinal•Student, teacher or administrator feelings – do they agree?•Participants must ‘give up’ control, or authority of their classroom to collaborate with others

Knowledge

•Are teachers trained?•Do teachers feel prepared?

What Are The Benefits of Inclusion?facilitates more

appropriate social behavior because of

higher expectations in the general education

classroom

leads to greater acceptance of students with

disabilities

offers a wide circle of support, including social support from classmates without

disabilities

promotes levels of achievement higher or at least as high as

those achieved in self-contained classrooms

facilitates understanding that

students with disabilities are not

always easily identified

offers the advantage of having an extra teacher

or aide to help them with the development of

their own skills

improves the ability of students and

teachers to adapt to different teaching and

learning styles

promotes better understanding of the

similarities among students with and without disabilities

What Does Inclusion Look Like?

Collaboration/Consultation

Teaming Model

Co-Teaching

Collaboration/Consultation In a building with a low incidence of special

needs students and overall low student population, this model would be very compatible.

The special education teacher is made available to re-teach a difficult skill or to help the student(s) practice a newly acquired skill.

This is a non-intrusive approach that provides the special needs students with at least two teachers to ask for help with curriculum problems.

Regularly scheduled meetings are recommended rather than communication on an as-needed basis

Teaming Model The special education teacher is assigned to one

grade level team with one planning period per week for the team. The special ed teacher provides student information, possible instructional strategies, modification ideas for assignments/tests, and behavior strategies.

The team meets on a regular basis, establishing consistent communication among the team members. The team model is presented so teachers are not working independently to achieve success with their students. All team members work together and broaden their knowledge in various areas, whether they are from general education or special education.

Think-Pair-Share Can you think of disadvantages to the

Teaming Model?

Co-Teaching

One Teaching,

One Assisting

Station Teaching

Parallel Teaching

Alternative Teaching

Team Teaching

One Teaching, One Assisting

Station Teaching

Alternative Teaching

Parallel Teaching

Team Teaching

Group Discussion Which inclusion model does your school

follow? Which inclusion model do you find to be the

most effective for working with students with disabilities? Does the disability matter, or should all students

be included? Some inclusion experts say that many schools

fall short in their efforts to fully include kids with disabilities in typical classes. Why do you think this is?

Bibliography Cook, L., & Friend, M. (Nov 1995). Co-teaching:

Guidelines for creating effective practices. Focus on Exceptional Children, 28(3), 1-16.

Inclusion Models for a Building Level by Elaine E. Daack, UNI masters thesis (1999) http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/preparing/building_levels.html

http://www.includingsamuel.com/media/Video/Emily-Video.aspx

http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education/history_overview.html

Hines, Rebecca. Inclusion in the Middle School. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/19/75/f8.pdf

http://www.kidstogether.org/componentsofinclusion.htm hawbaker.pls.iowapages.org/id3.html