Pros and Cons of Inclusive Education Essay

Pros and Cons of Inclusion in a general education classroom Inclusion in a general classroom is one of the largest controversies that schools face today. Most administrators, parents and teachers question the likely academic impacts associated with the placement of students with special needs into general educational classrooms. Inclusion is the educational approach that requires students with disabilities to learn together with non-disabled students. Rather than the segregation of students based on their physical abilities and disabilities, inclusion dictates that each and every student is a learner who should benefit from a challenging, meaningful and appropriate curriculum. Despite the fact that inclusion had its focus on disabled students, it has been designed to accommodate diverse strengths, experiences, and challenges of all students. Research suggests that inclusion is beneficial for the students’ academic progress; increases social development and helps increase self- esteem of the students. The following annotations throw more light on the concept of inclusion in general educational classrooms. Caralee Adam’s â€Å"The Challenges of Inclusion†. She highlights that most experts and teachers support the objectives of inclusion. However, the main idea she addresses is responsible inclusion. In other words, the teachers and the experts are calling for modifications in the inclusion models such that some scenarios like violent or aggressive kids can be handled effectively.She presents relevant and sufficient evidence in the name of Bill Hutchison, a violent eleven-year old with Down syndrome. This source helps to highlight the key leverage points for effective inclusion. The reputable publication is obtained from a credible source and is sponsored by Scholastic Administrator. Adam owns a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Orleans. She i s a trusted and renowned freelance writer on topics such as health, personal finance, parenting education, et al. Barker’s Does Inclusion Help? This annotation addresses a range of questions through research but chiefly, the impact of inclusion on the entire body of students. On the same note, Barker is interested to know the attitude of disabled students towards learning. He provides sound evidence through a descriptive research. In line with the thesis statement, the publication helps us recognize the effect of inclusion on the students and their  attitudes too. Through this research we can answer whether inclusion really helps or not. This is a trusted reputable source too sponsored by the National Association of Special Education Teachers. Benefits of Inclusive Education. In contrast to most articles that focus on the benefits of inclusion to only disabled students, this annotation highlights what both disabled and non-disabled students benefit with by learning together in one classroom. For instance, disabled students are rewarded with friendships and social relations, greater access to general curriculum, greater opportunities to interact et al. The benefits to non-disabled students include: meaningful friendships, helps them respect all people, ability to understand and accept diversity et al. This source-Kids Together , Inc- is reliable as it is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and information for adults and children with disabilities. This agrees with our thesis statement on the benefits of inclusion in a general educational classroom. However, this source does not provide us with significant evidence through real-life examples or by research whether the specified benefits are actually realized. The next annotation is titled, â€Å"Cons of Inclusion†. This annotation highlights some of the arguments as well as the major concerns against inclusion. In particular, it states the disadvantages of inclusion in a general educational classroom.For instance, inclusion consumes a lot of the teachers time while some teachers lack training and classroom management is a difficult task. In spite of the fact that we do not know the exact author of this article, the source is reputable, credible and the evidence it provides in one 10-year-old Ryan with learning disabilities is magnificent. This evidence is collected through observational fieldwork and hence it is significant. It is too in line with the purpose of the essay though it features it is a one-sided scenario. In other words, it addresses the cons of inclusion rather than both the pros and cons of inclusion. Another interesting annotation on inclusive education is, â€Å"History of Inclusion† by Stephanie Torreno. A century ago, most disabled students were uneducated but today they do learn beside non-disabled students, thanks to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the subsequent 1986 and 1992 amendments. Consequently, educational and employment rights for disabled persons were  guaranteed by federal funded institutions. Most importantly, it brings to light a series of legislation s that have been adopted in the context of inclusive education and regarding employment of disabled persons. Understanding the history of inclusion helps us to evaluate how beneficial inclusion has been hence agreeing with our thesis statement about benefits of inclusion. This source is a reliable one as the author herself is disabled. And therefore we do believe in her interest regarding government laws on education and employment of disabled people. She was born in Niskayuna , USA and in spite of her physical disability, she owns a bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology and technical writing. Inclusion by CollenTomko is also another annotation on inclusive education that we focus on. According to Collen, the inclusion objective is attained when children fully participate in class activities as members with all the services and support that they require. Regardless of the class the students learn in, the developed plan should be around their individual needs. She asserts that, children do not necessarily have to become normal in order to effectively contribute to the world. This and in accordance with the context thesis statement on benefits of inclusion, we are able to understand the main goal of inclusion. Kids Together Organization is an already trusted source and Collen Tomko who holds her Bachelors degree from Pennsylvania State University is the president and co-founder of this non-profit organization providing more reason to believe her. Next is, Inclusive Learning Environment for Students with Special Needs. Dee Dickson is the founder of New Horizons for Learning (NHLF), a resource for comprehending learning. The network was used to convey new information to teachers. NHFL guides teachers on fresh effective teaching and learning practices so as to see the whole process of inclusion a success. For us to realize the full benefits of inclusion in general education classrooms, NHFL therefore provides teachers with updated information and resources to effectively educate inclusive classrooms. On Dee Dickson, she has taught each and every level right from elementary schools up to university. In this regard, her experience in teaching diverse students is profound and therefore provides reason to believe in her articles. Besides, New Horizons For Learning is an established, reputable and among the leading learning web sources that identify and communicate successful strategies to adopt in educational  practice. Another Inclusive education related annotation is SEDL-Issues About Change: Inclusion: The Pros and Cons. The article addresses the advantages and disadvantages of inclusion in general educational classrooms. Many questions are asked in this context, namely: what inclusion actually means; how inclusion looks like; comparison and contrast between full inclusion and mainstreaming, et al. It investigates a range of issues that surround inclusion. But chiefly, and in with reference to the thesis statement, the article highlights the pros and cons of this practice. The provision of a historical synopsis about special education development ensures that we could trust this source even though the author is not stated. The paper also provides us with implications for policy makers and educational practitioners. The other paper on the same topic is â€Å"Special Education Inclusion†. This article highlights the confusion the concept of inclusion causes to parents and educators. They do not know whether inclusion is required legally or not and also what is better for their children. The article therefore is about what institutions must do so as to maximally meet the needs of all disabled children. In other words, before we realize the benefits of inclusion, we must answer the question on what must be done and how it should be done. All stakeholders must be involved research, discussions and examination of the entire inclusive educational program for effective or fruitful planning. The annotation is sponsored by a credible source-The Winsconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) which is a representation of education of public employees. Special-needs Education: Does Mainstream Inclusion work? The article is about developing a closer relationship between mainstream schools and special education schools. Yes, ideal inclusion is very expensive but having special schools separately is expensive as well. The respondents featured in this article believe that the curriculum for disabled students needs to be totally different from that of non-disabled students but it is so heartbreaking when students are isolated and stuck in classrooms lacking specialized help. Hence advocates co-location so as to ensure that these students do not suffer. Thus, inclusion in general educational classrooms becomes the only choice. The source is from a UK-based newspaper-The Independent Saturday and can thus be trusted. Starr, Linda. â€Å"Inclusion: Has It Gone Too Far?† One of the advantages of inclusion is reduction of educational fragmentation and  provides an environment in which all the available educational resources are used to improve the performance of each and every child. Inclusive education can be designed for the benefit of both students and teachers through ensuring that all the fisca l and human resources are utilized for the entire body of students. Reduction in educational fragmentation is main benefit of inclusion and therefore in line with the thesis statement about the benefits of inclusion in general educational classrooms.