Introduction
The issue connected with the coeducation of children with special educational needs and children without health problems has acquired more and more attention in the last few years and got the name Inclusive Education. It is recognized by the world community as the most humane and efficient system as it gives the right for education irrespective to intellectual or physical abilities (Valeeva, 2015).
My personal interest in Inclusion lies within the educational context of Russia. In 2008 Russia signed the UN Convention “On the Rights of Persons with disabilities” where “Inclusion is seen as an addressing and responding to the diversity of needs of all learners through increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities
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Inclusion Europe board member, Roza D. (2015) claims that there is a systematic implementation of the best practices of Inclusive education in Russia though it might be very slow or uneven; that Russian cities are becoming more accessible with the support of non governmental organizations(NGOs) and local and federal funding; that people with disabilities are becoming more visible, more socially active and engaged. Valeeva L. (2015) goes even further saying that Russia is successfully moving towards integrative and inclusive practices. However, I would argue that the adaptation of the environment, improving teaching resources and ideological transition run smoothly and in the right direction. My personal opinion is supported by numerous reports and investigations of international and Russian academics and experts such as Human Rights Watch (Left out? Obstacles to Education for people with disabilities in Russia, 2015), Alehina S. (Trends toward the integration and Inclusion of students with disabilities in Russia, 2012), Malofeev N.N., Shmatko N.D. (Integration and special educational institutions, 2008), Logomag S. (Inclusive and special education, Barriers and risks of development, 2012). Furthermore, I find important to underline the role of cultural and historical background of Russia in terms of special education and people with …show more content…
(2012) and Borodkina O. (2014) which give a clear idea of the sequence of events and continuity of special education and defectology practices that led to Russian modern system of Inclusive education. In the 19th century, Russian special educators learning from leading European countries, started to gain their own experience. In the early 20th century Russia was forcefully separated form the rest of the world by the Bolshevik Revolution, the Civil War and the repressive Communist regime, Russian special education was put into isolation due to the ideology that emphasized the collective over the individual and glorified conformity, health and strength. Russia fell behind the research during this period. While the whole world was discussing integrated education of children with health problems, Russian teachers practiced isolated education for students with special educational needs, the medical model of learning prevailed (Kirillova,
Sands, D., Kozleski, E., & French, N. (2000). Inclusive education for the 21st century: A new
She is able to receive assistance from a speech- pathologist for her language twice a week because of free appropriate public education (FAPE). A recommended practice that is trending now is to place students in their least restricted environment, where they can learn the most. In order for her to still receive her assistance and be in her least restricted environment, she is placed in a growing trend of inclusion classrooms. This trend is influencing special education and education in general because it is the view that everyone needs to be able to accept the student with a disability equally as anyone else. Although, the book discuss different views of inclusion in the classroom, inclusion classes are considered to be possible and necessary for twenty-first- century education that we are facing now. This is why Elizabeth spends the majority of her school day in a general education classroom instead of spending all her time in a special education classroom. It is also important to note that Elizabeth’s teachers have to collaborate together to support her because educators are now being expected to use evidence- based practices that work in the classroom. The practices that are used for Elizabeth are recommended practices in the special education and schools. It was shown that the practices being used for Elizabeth are effective because the teacher stated that she saw improvements in both her social and academic growth. The different aspects of Elizabeth’s program provides examples of the different aspects of special education including the programs or services that are available, what trends are happening
Smith, T. (2012). Teaching students with special needs in inclusive settings. 1st ed. New Delhi, India: PHI Learning Private Ltd.
The movement for inclusion in education has advanced since the years of special schools for children with disabilities. Although there have been significant changes to the laws protecting the rights of children with disabilities there remains an underlying debate as to whether these children should be in main stream classes. Most states and territories in Australia practice inclusive education, however this remains a contentious topic with differing attitudes. It is evident whilst many challenges remain, schools should implement and deliver quality programs that reflect best practice policies. Positive teacher attitudes, promoting diversity, modelling inclusion in the classroom and developing a sense of community by working in partnerships
Through the development of Inclusive Education it is possible that children grow up to be more accepting of differences, where once the notion of something “different” and “separate” could cause caution, fear and ridicule. There are multiple policies and processes present within our society supporting inclusivity and the right every child regardless of their special needs or difficult circumstances has to an education. The Salamanca Statement developed world wide in 1994 states every child’s right to an education. In support of this policy the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) sets disability standards in our education system and the Melbourne Declaration (2008) further attempts to promote equity and excellence within our schools.
In this essay I will reflect upon the inclusive learning environment, i intend on reflecting this by researching, reading, extending my own knowledge and a recent exemplar visit. The main issues i have chosen to cover throughout this essay are inclusion, children’s learning and the environment. Issues i will also cover are Special Educational Needs (SEN), Every Child Matters (EMC), Diversity and legislations. I intend on doing this by arguing, analyzing and discussing the inclusive learning environment. Inclusive learning environments can be varied from the school environment to the home environment. Both having a significant impact to a child’s learning. The environment within schools needs to be stimulating, creative and enjoyable for all children to learn in. Effective classroom organization, interaction between both staff and children are essential to the inclusive learning environment.
Inclusion is not a new idea, but has been rapidly gaining momentum within many disciplines internationally. Inclusive education is a term often associated with special education, and children with additional needs. However, inclusive education is about ensuring that educational settings allow for meaningful participation by all learners. Each child has their own unique identity, ways of doing things, strengths and weaknesses. Ministry of Education [MoE] (1998) states that teachers “should recognise that as all students are individuals, their learning may call for different approaches, different resourcing, and different goals” (p. 39, emphasis added).
Inclusion of all students in classrooms has been an ongoing issue for the past twenty-five years (Noll, 2013). The controversy is should special education students be placed in an inclusion setting or should they be placed in a special education classroom? If the answer is yes to all special education students being placed in inclusion, then how should the inclusion model look? Every students is to receive a free an appropriate education. According to the Individual Education Act (IDEA), all students should be placed in the Least Restrictive Learning Environment (Noll, 2013).
The true purpose of school is to prepare children for their future in becoming lifelong learners and global citizens. For children with special needs, special education services prepare and provide support for them in dealing with the challenges they face daily. Laws such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has enforced schools to provide education to all children and reinforces the purpose of the school, which is to provide children the Least Restrictive Environment to help them develop to their optimal potential. There are myriad of concerns regarding inclusion’s effect on typical developing students, yet a research done by Bui, Quirk, Almazan, and Valenti shows that “[p]resence of students with disabilities results in greater number of typical students making reading and math progress compared to non-inclusive general education classes” (p. 3). Therefore, inclusion not only benefits children with disabilities, but it also benefits typical developing student’s academic skills and allows them to learn acceptance and respect for students with disabilities.
The idea of inclusion within a classroom tends to breed controversy from many people. Currently there is no clear consensus on a definition of inclusion (Heward, 2006). There are many different views on how students with disabilities should be handled. Those views ranged from students being fully included, partially included, or not included at all in mainstream schooling. Different descriptions of inclusion tend to reflect the person's own opinions towards it. People who feel students should not be included in the classroom focus on the negative characteristics of inclusion, such as the challenges of developing plans for students as well as the hard work it requires to incorporate those plans. However, studies show that full inclusion has many benefits to the students, for both students with disabilities as well as students without them. Inclusion has shown to improve the student's social skills, encourage communication, inspire laws and regulations, and improve the overall schooling experience (Gargiulo, 2012). Although it will take longer then some would like or have the patience for, full inclusion can be done in the classroom, with its benefits outweighing the hard work that it requires.
Inclusion in classrooms is defined as combining students with disabilities and students without disabilities together in an educational environment. It provides all students with a better sense of belonging. They will enable friendships and evolve feelings of being a member of a diverse community (Bronson, 1999). Inclusion benefits students without disabilities by developing a sense of helping others and respecting other diverse people. By this, the students will build up an appreciation that everyone has unique yet wonderful abilities and personalities (Bronson, 1999). This will enhance their communication skills later in life. Inclusive classrooms provide students with disabilities a better education on the same level as their peers. Since all students would be in the same educational environment, they would follow the same curriculum and not separate ones based on their disability. The main element to a successful inclusive classroom, is the teachers effort to plan the curriculum to fit all students needs. Teachers must make sure that they are making the material challenging enough for students without special needs and understandable to students with special needs. Inclusive classrooms are beneficial to students with and without special needs.
Inclusion has become increasingly important in education in recent years, with the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act being passed in 2004 to ensure equality in our system. In summary, inclusion is the idea of there being no child...
In first being able to define inclusive education, it is necessary to understand the diversity of the student population. Disability comes in my varying forms and can be physical, sensory, intellectual, mental health and emotional, developmental, and non-visible (e.g. asthma). If disability was the only agent to consider in the diversity scenario things would be easier for teachers but there are a number of other classifications of students to consider: Gifted or talented; English as a second language (ESL); Indigenous students; and many other classifications which fall under the societal/family/personal heading (Ashman & Elkin, 2012).
To begin with, full inclusion in the education system for people with disabilities should be the first of many steps that are needed to correct the social injustices that people with disabilities currently face. Students with disabilities are far too frequently isolated and separated in the education system (Johnson). They are often provided a diluted, inferior education and denied meaningful opportunities to learn. There are many education rights for children with disabilities to p...
The philosophy of inclusive education has “brought about teams of general education and special education teachers working collaboratively or cooperatively to combine their professional knowledge, perspectives, and skills” (Ripley, 1997). Many approaches have been developed and researched over the years to determine best practices for inclusive education in public schools, which include mainstreaming and specialized schools. The challenge for educators and school systems is deciding which approach and strategies meets the individual needs all students in classrooms.