My very personal debate for inclusion and how I understand it. through my nephew's needs.

Sorry this post is a little late.  I had a few days off for Spring Break with my kids and we went away.  Life sometimes just moves too quickly.  I have been working on this and my lesson plan in my head. Better late then never,

Inclusion is a term which expresses commitment to educate each child, to the maximum extent appropriate, in the school and classroom he or she would otherwise attend. It involves bringing the support services to the child (rather than moving the child to the services) and requires only that the child will benefit from being in the class (rather than having to keep up with the other students). 

            The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended in 2004, does not require inclusion. Instead, the law requires that children with disabilities be educated in the "least restrictive environment appropriate” to meet their “unique needs.” And the IDEA contemplates that the "least restrictive environment" analysis will begin with placement in the regular education classroom.  The law intends that the degree of “inclusion” be driven by the student’s needs as determined by the IEP team, not by the district’s convenience or the parents’ wishes. 

I am a firm believer of inclusion.  My nephew Michael is 10 years old.  Michael is sweet, smart and an absolute delight.  Michael is also autistic.  Michael started his education in early intervention at the age of two.  Through the years we were told repeatedly all the things that Michael would never be able to do. We were told Michael would be better off in a special education program.  My sister knew better and is Michael’s biggest advocate.  She refused to listen. We sweat blood, tears and money to ensure that Michael is kept in a regular classroom.  Michael talks, socializes, imagines and with modifications is academically at grade level.  His progress has been amazing and an inspiration to all the students and teachers he has worked with.  I am so proud of Michael.  This 10 year old boy has to work so hard. He does all his work with no complaints.  How can anyone tell Michael what he is able to accomplish in life.  With the proper love and support my nephew will be the best he can possibly be.

It is an uphill battle with the Board of Education in New York City. Getting the services that Michael needs and having them documented on his IEP is just part of the problem.  The hardest part is getting the services provided in a proper and timely matter. It is a battle we know is worth the fight.

Inclusion in education has generated a great deal of discussion, confusion, and apprehension. It is an issue that has outspoken advocates on all sides, whether for, against, or somewhere in between. Certainly, for a school or district to change and accommodate a more inclusive approach to providing services to students with disabilities as well as a host of other at-risk students, and do it in a way that ensures the success of all, will require significant restructuring. Inclusion is more than reconfiguring special education services. It involves an overhaul of the entire educational system. Special education and regular education faculty/staff roles and relationships will change, as will the traditional rules under which things happen within the classroom, campus, and district.  For inclusion to be successful the entire school community must be involved.  Parents and teachers must be a team for these special children. If everyone involved does not cooperate parents and teachers will be polarized and this will create environments that are hostile to any change.  We need to help teachers learn how to modify and teach.

 My experience has been that most teachers are willing and capable to learn and change.  They want to learn and change for the good of the children.  One of this years challenges for my nephew Michael has been the relationship with the teacher.  The teacher has been unwilling to incorporate Michael into the daily operations of the classroom.  She places Michael alone or with other special education children exclusively.  This is not benefiting anyone and it is not what inclusion is all about.  Michael is happy, quiet and cooperative.  She does not have the knowledge to deal with his special needs.  She also feels it is not her responsibility.  The teacher is also reluctant to work with my family, the special education teacher or any other faculty that has been assigned to help.  This extends to all the special needs children not just Michael.   This adversarial relationship is hurting Michael as well as the rest of the class. This situation can be resolved with the proper training and communication.  Successful inclusion practices depend on restructured schools that allow for flexible learning environments, with flexible curricula and instruction. Under ideal conditions, all students work toward the same overall educational outcomes. What differs is the level at which these outcomes are achieved, the additional support that is needed by some students and the degree of emphasis placed on various outcomes. A restructured system that merges special and regular education must also employ practices that focus on high expectations for all.

There are many reason inclusion is best for everyone.  I believe all children have a right to learn together.  Children should not be devalued or discriminated against by being excluded or sent away because of their disability or learning difficulty.  There should be no teaching or care in a segregated school which cannot take place in an ordinary school.  Given commitment and support, inclusive education is a more efficient use of educational resources. The reality is inclusion is cheaper and best a lot of the time(but not all the time).  Segregation teaches children to be fearful, ignorant and breeds prejudice.  All children need an education that will help them develop relationships and prepare them for life in the mainstream.  Inclusion has the potential to reduce fear and build friendships, respect, understanding and tolerance.  These attributes are just what the world needs. The teaches today need the support and the back up as well as the education to help them to help these special needs children.  It is unfair to not arm the educators with the tools they need to succeed.  Without the support it continues to be a vixous cycle with bad outcomes.  It is pretty sad.