The Benefits of the Inclusive Classroom

In an article put out by the Understood Organization, the major advantages for the full inclusion of special needs students into the general education classroom are outlined and discussed. The Understood Organization is a collective of teachers and parents backed by 15 non-profit organizations, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Learning Disabilities Association of America. Their goal is to provide aid to parents of school-age children with learning disabilities.

                While historically students with disabilities have often been placed in separate special needs classrooms, the fully inclusive classroom has been proven to provide the best environment for learning and for the development of the child. Since the passing of IDEA, law has guaranteed the educational rights of these special needs children and mandated they be taught in the least restrictive environment possible (LRE).  As the general education classroom is, ideally, the LRE, schools should integrate these students whenever it is to their benefit. An inclusive classroom provides educational instruction from both general and special education teachers and allows the child to learn in the least restrictive environment. On top of this, the inclusive classroom does not harm the learning potential of non-special needs students by putting them and special needs students together. On the contrary, the varied instructional techniques and additional support and resources can benefit all students.

                An inclusive classroom is set up in two possible ways.  The co-teaching approach involves the presence of a permanent special education teacher in the classroom who teaches in conjunction with the general education teacher. The other option is to have the special education teacher co-teach during set times during the day. This prevents the special needs student from having to be sent out to another class for instruction. The addition of special education instructors, such as reading and speech specialists, brings additional resources to the classroom and provides opportunities for informal support for students who are not eligible for special education.  Overall, differentiated means of instruction keep all students engaged and provide multiple ways to absorb the information.

Inclusion in the general education classroom provides special education students with interaction with the rest of the student body. Throughout school and in the outside world, those with special needs must be prepared to interact with all sorts of people. The exposure is both ways. It also allows general education students to understand those with special needs. An inclusive classroom provides opportunities for friendships and helps to break down the stigma often carried with special education.

Overall, inclusive classrooms hold all students to higher standards and provide the best possible educational opportunities.

Works Cited:

The Understood Team, & Osewalt, G. (2018). 5 Benefits of Inclusion Classrooms. Retrieved February 04, 2018, from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-approaches/educational-strategies/5-benefits-of-inclusion-classrooms