Understanding Inclusions by Spencer J.Salend

Chapter 1 Understanding Inclusions by Spencer J. Salend

Summary

An inclusion is what brings students, families, educators and community members together to create schools based on acceptance. The inclusionary schools welcome also acknowledge the value of all learners by educating them together in education classrooms. But mainstreaming can be viewed as either part time or full time placement based on if the student is ready to be part of the general education setting. Inclusion is full time placement in the general education setting based on the belief that all the students have the right to be educated in general education classrooms.

Personal response/opinion:

        Having an inclusive classroom is important because no matter who you are the desire to be a meaningful part of society is inherit in all of us. We all need to feel like we are included. It is important to give the student a chance to be part of a community, and for others to recognize him or her as a part of the community.

Quotes:

1. “I know I was supposed to learn more in the special education class and I think I did. But I still didn’t learn anything important. We kept learning this easy, boring stuff over and over again. You just sit there and get bored, and angry. (a high school student with a learning disability.)” (33) I selected this quote because it states how a student that has learning disabilities wants to be challenged. This quote is trying to show that having inclusive classroom can help any student to learn. If some students are always bored then they can receive a lesson or assignment that is challenging. If one student has problems that interfere with learning the standard lesson as it is presented, then a small notification is made to the lesson or assignment.
2. “I wanted my child to have the same experiences as other kids and to learn to live in the real world with its joys and frustrations, and the inclusion program has allowed her to do that. She has learned to be more independent, which will be helpful for preparation for later life. I don’t believe that isolating her from other children is better for her or for her classmates. I want my child to learn from other kids and they can learn from her.” (37) I selected this quote because it says how a mother who has a child with disability and agrees with having a inclusive classroom. Inclusive education benefits their children, providing them increased friendships, challenging curriculum, a positive and caring learning environment, and also prepares them for the real world.

Question

        Why there are differences in the attitudes of elementary and secondary teachers towards inclusion education?