Down Syndrome and nonclassified students benefit when they spend their school days in inclusive classrooms because all these students can experience varied opportunities to grow and develop which often are not found from being separated in mainstream or in self-contained classrooms. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, inclusive classrooms provide for an educational process by which all students, including those with disabilities, are educated together in general population classrooms for all of the school day. There are generally two other main classroom setups in which Down Syndrome students can be placed; self-contained classrooms where special needs students are grouped together and segregated from general student populations …show more content…
Down Syndrome students benefit because they are taught the same material at the same grade level as their nonclassified peers. Also there are normally two teachers collaborating and working to achieve the goals of all the students in inclusive classrooms so students in these classrooms often benefit from differing teaching approaches. The teachers try to set and reach the same goals for all of the students in inclusive classrooms (PIT Journal). By contrast, in self-contained classrooms, academic standards are often set lower than what is generally considered on par with average standards for similarly-aged peers. Also, in many mainstream classrooms, very limited subjects are permitted to be mainstreamed. In non-inclusive classrooms, Down Syndrome students often miss out on opportunities to access and learn the same curriculum as their same aged peers which are available to them when placed in inclusive …show more content…
Teachers try to help all of the students reach their goals by trying different teaching styles and choosing the ones that seem to work best for a class as a whole or possibly by combining various teaching styles in order to accommodate different level students in inclusive classrooms (PIT Journal). Co-teachers are normally dedicated to inclusive classrooms lowering the overall student-to-teacher ratios which can lead to more direct instructor contact with individual students. Inclusive classrooms also tend to have smaller class sizes, and smaller class sizes combined with co-teachers often lead to academic boosts for everyone in the classroom (Dwight). These factors usually enable students to receive more tailored learning experiences based on their individual needs. Students have different learning styles and learn at different rates. Each child possesses an unique temperament which means every child will have a different level of motivation to learn (Volmer). Recognizing and accepting individual differences enables teachers to plan curriculum based on the learning styles of the children. Smaller classroom sizes and the presence of co-teachers is conducive to this individualized and tailored teaching and learning. Some have argued that inclusion of Down Syndrome children in regular classrooms comes at the expense of nonclassified
Educators can have strong feelings on the subject because having special needs students in a regular classroom can have a large impact on the classroom community. Those who believe in inclusive classrooms realize that, to be successful, it requires allot of classroom management and differentiated instruction, but feel the benefits are worth the work involved. Those who do not believe in inclusion feel that it leads to “l...
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
Having Down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you, and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life"(Burke, C., n.d.). Where special education is concerned, one must always remember that exceptional learners are different, not less.
The students in our classrooms, both special education and general education classrooms, require individualized education to reach their full potential. Each child’s potential is different just as each child’s road to reach it is different. Our job as teachers is to be there for the student’s to help them reach their potential through their own unique way.
“The 1% of US students with labels of severe disabilities including mental retardation have been historically excluded from ‘inclusive’ education” (Bentley, 2008, p. 543). Laws such as PL 94-142 and “No Child Left Behind” (as cited in Bentley), say that ‘public school students with all types of disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment—‘to the maximum extent possible…with children who do not have disabilities’ the majority of these students with special education labels, such as, mental retardation and multiple disabilities are still isolated in special education classrooms (Bentley, 2008, p. 545). Wehmeyer (as cited in Bentley), points out that mere access does not promote authentic participation (Bentley, 2008, p. 546). Burkowski et al (as cited in Webster and Cater), “Friendship has been defined as a bond between two individuals that is stable across time and involves mutual affection, mutual preference and having fun together” (Webster and Carter, 2007, p. 201). It is up to parents, teachers and other paraprofessionals to seek ways to facilitate and encourage the types of positive interactions that will foster these types of friendships. If done successfully all students will benefit and there will be true inclusion.
Students with disabilities who are in self-contained classrooms struggle with many issues pertaining to independence. In their classrooms they become more dependent on their teachers and classroom peers (Jones & Hensley, 2012). This is the opposite of what is needed for these students (Jones & Hensley, 2012). Learning is a full circle process, which encompasses more than academics. In order for students with disabilities to obtain a complete education, inclusion in social dynamics should be an integral part of their learning environment (Arnon, Shamai, & Ilatov, 2008).
A self-contained classroom is generally made up of a small number of students, who work with a special education teacher and are taught self-help skills as well as academics. Often, students in the classroom work on different academic levels and some may receive a higher level of specialization of care or attention. Furthermore, placement in the general classroom versus a self-containment classroom may come down to accommodations. If accommodations for a student are dramatically altered or modified beyond the general classroom curriculum, then student would benefit from self-containment classroom instead of full inclusion. If this student was in a full inclusion setting with such accommodations, the student could easily fall behind in the general classroom. Additionally, since a general classroom is larger than a self-contained classroom, students with disabilities may not receive the best academics assistance or help from a paraprofessional as needed to adjust to the curriculum. Moreover, some students disabilities are so profound that the student is non-verbal, unable to read or write, making communication harder in a general classroom setting. For example, a student with disabilities that is non-verbal may have other ways, such as cues to communicate with. If a teacher in a general classroom setting is concentrating on
Janice said her son was clearly not wanted at that school, so she took the kids’ stuff and enrolled them into a public school where Alex was much more comfortable. Teachers were more comfortable dealing with children with complex needs. We need to work on accepting and including children with Down Syndrome in local schools so that they are given an equal opportunity to advance their education and become successful.... ... middle of paper ...
Sapon – Shevin states when students are uncomfortable with their peers who are different from them this situation can be a teaching moment for the teacher, in other words educate the students on the differences of others, not only disabilities, b...
Instruction. These two strategies are approaches that address classroom diversity in general education settings, and inclusion classroom settings. The idea of UDL is that instructional lessons, strategies, and assessments are planned with supports, which are more likely to be well-suited for students with special needs. The supports minimize the need for adaptations at a later time. Properly designed classrooms require fewer adaptations for students with special needs, is an ass...
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.
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...
The debate of mainstreaming children with a disability challenges the idea of having an enclosed environment where they can effectively learn. University of Missouri, College of Education states, “The term ‘special needs’ is used to collectively define those that require assistance due to physical, mental, behavioral, or medical disabilities or delays” ( .) Opponents who encourage mainstreaming argue that mainstreaming special needs children is beneficial. They claim children with a disability should receive equivalent access to public education and not be left behind because of an impairment. Many also dispute attempts should be made to develop tests to measure academic achievement. Aron and Loprest state “Reforming special education cannot be done in isolation; it requires integration with reforms being made in general education” (116). However, there are many problems the education system is going to face if children with a disability are integrated into standard classes.
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).