Inclusive Education Essay example -- Special Education Essays

Currently, there are many obstacles that face special education. Although we live in a democratic nation, many people are unaware that every human being is to be treated equally in an educational institution. Is society conscious of the fact that students with special needs are able to be included in regular education classrooms, whether they be mentally or physically disabled? What actions should people take as legislator, citizen, parent, teacher or student? Typically, the primary responsibility of general education teachers is to use their skills to instruct students in curricula dictated by the school system. Typically the primary responsibility of special education teachers is to provide instruction by adapting and developing materials to match the learning styles, strengths, and special needs of each of their students. Contrary to these opposite methods, the act of placing special education students in regular education classrooms is called inclusion. It is central to contemporary special education and is a program affecting education today. Inclusion aims to encourage schools to reconsider their structure, teaching approaches, pupil grouping, and use of support so that the school responds to the needs of all pupils. (Farrel, p. 39) I am presently studying to become a secondary education/English teacher and it is my task as a future educator to educate the public of inclusion and its affects on all students. Because inclusive education is quickly becoming important in schools today, this paper will discuss and inform readers of the legal history of inclusion, inclusive schools (with a closer look at the IDEA law), and the major debate over this current issue. The call for inclusive education is the outc... ... Michael Farrell. McAfee, James K., Ph.D (2000). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education. PA: Pennsylvania Department of Education Ripley, Susan (1997, July). Collaboration between General and Special Education Teachers. ERIC Digest. Retrieved March 23, 2003 from, ERIC Clearinghouse on Teaching and Teacher Education Washington DC. Web site: http://wwww.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed409317.html Stainback, William & Stainback, Susan (1992). Controversial Issues Confronting Special Education. Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon U.S. Department of Education (2003, March). IDEA 97’. Retrieved March 23, 2003 from,The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Web site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/ Winzer, Margaret A., & Mazurek, Kas (2000). Special Education in the 21st Century. Washington, CD: Gallaudet University Press