inclusionintheuseducation-blog

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Inclusion Quotes

“Unless our children begin to learn together, there is little hope that our people will ever begin to live together” - Justice Thurgood

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life feeling stupid.”- Albert Einstein 

“Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together make this whole world a beautiful garden”- unknown

“Tell me and I’ll forget, Teach me and I’ll remember, Involve me and I’ll learn” -Ben Franklin 

“Inclusion is not a strategy to help people fit into the systems and structures which exist in our societies; it is about transforming those systems and structures to make it better fro everyone. Inclusion is about creating a better world for everyone.” -Dane Richler

“Inclusion is opening our minds to new possibilities, making room for different perspectives and enriching the experience for everyone along the way”- Lisa Friedman

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They say that inclusion education is expensive, so instead of a solution.. we ignore it?

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There is a DIFFERENCE

Inclusion: “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure”

Exclusion: “ to shut out from consideration, privilege, etc.”

Segregation: “ set apart or separated from others of the same kind or group” 

Integration: “incorporation as equals into society or an organization of individuals of different groups”

Which group would you want your child in?

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Fun Fact: Inclusion education doesn’t have a specific color, every photo shows the rainbow. Just like these colors, every student is different in their abilities, this doesn’t mean we don’t include them in the crayon box :)

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What Does a High Quality Special Education Program Have?

In the news article “Thriving special education programs have these seven elements,” eSchool News talks about a study done on California Charter Schools Association (CCSA). There are ten of these charter schools in California and even though they are “diverse in size, instructional model, and student demographics” there are seven “concepts and practices,” that are followed throughout every school. Due to the fact that these schools are way more successful than other regular public schools, it seems as though these seven concepts are the key of successful inclusion. 

The seven things that all of these school share are:                                            “ 1. Embracing student differences as part of school culture 2. A special education program philosophy built around inclusion 3. Multi-tiered systems of support to layer interventions 4. Data-driven instruction and interventions 5. Family and community partnerships were leveraged 6. Schools had autonomy over their special education funding and staffing 7. Professional development was tailored and staff-driven” In order to support and prove these seven concepts there are statistics shown“ that charter schools in the sample studied are outperforming state averages on standardized tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.” So not only are these schools thriving in their inclusion program, but this school is doing better than schools without inclusion on their standardized tests. 

This news article relates back to my topic due to the fact that it shows through statistics that an inclusion program can work successfully. The most important part that this article points out is the consistency that each of these school follow, which is making their program successful. When bringing this back to my topic it proves my point that one of America’s biggest problems in the inclusion education program, is that it is not consistent. Each part of these seven practices is important, and even with one not being followed the inclusion will not work.

Overall this news article backs up my topic very well with statistics and studies to prove its worth. It shows that the schools across America may all be different in many ways, but they could all follow the same concepts in order to make inclusion in every classroom work. So instead of the United States education system making up excuses as to why the program does not work, maybe they should look at what we are doing that doesn’t allow it to work. 

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Are Teachers Able and Willing?

The academic article “Creating a learning environment for all children: are teachers able and willing?”, written by Norma Blecker and Norma Boakes, discusses the need for general education teachers skill and knowledge on inclusion education. It expresses the need for general educators to have the same knowledge as a special education teacher, in order for the program to be successful. With inclusion education special education teachers and general education teachers must be able to work closely and effectively together. Although working together may work at times and be helpful, the general education teacher will need to work with the disabled students one on one. Most general education teachers do not have the knowledge on the different types of disabilities and how they can accommodate to them.

These teachers will need a lot of support and help in order to have inclusion work beneficially within the classroom. The article also expresses the concern of the affects general education teachers may have on inclusion education. They may be holding the students and program back from where it could be, and not applying it to the classroom appropriately. The article suggests that if our general education teachers had more knowledge on inclusion, and knew how to properly operate an inclusive classroom, the schools as a whole could conduct successful inclusion.

This article reflects and relates to my topic due to the affects that the general education teachers have on inclusion education. It gives me information on the need for better educated general education teachers, in order for them to have inclusive classrooms. Discussing the factor of general and special education teachers needing to work together, but also needing the knowledge to work independently. They state this in the article “ In order to create a successful learning environment for all children, general and special educators must be responsive to all students’ needs.” This factor in the article does surprise me, I assumed that all teachers were knowledgeable in special education. This article opened my eyes to the fact that some teachers have no background knowledge or experience with disabled students. This article both supports and contrasts my topic of inclusion education. It shares that there is a way for the teachers to be taught and supported with inclusion classrooms. It also points out to the fact that these teachers are not educated on these students and do not have the knowledge to properly educate them. I believe that this article opened my eyes to another factor in inclusion education, but I think it only leads to benefiting and helping inclusion classrooms and teachers even more successful.

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Inclusion: Moving Beyond Our Fears

Editor: Joy Rogers

From the words of the editor, “Inclusion as the term is used in this volume, requires that each special education student be provided with specially designed instruction to meet his or her unique educational needs. However, unlike “traditional” special-education models, instead of sending the children to a centralized site for the convenience of the staff, the children remain in the schools and classes they would otherwise attend, and the services brought to them” (Introduction)

The book Inclusion was assembled in April 1994, I use the word assembled because this book was not written, but it was assembled by an editor who put many stories, research, and studies together. The book begins with a strong introduction, which is quoted above, sharing that the book was formulated in order to prove that inclusion education is possible and successful. The first chapter expresses “The Effects of Inclusion on Non disabled Classmates,”(Rogers,1) where it shares researches and articles done too prove that inclusion benefits all students. One example of this is “The Harvard Education Letter” (Rogers,31), which is about a study where they tracked a middle school to find new answers about inclusion education, and how to better improve the program.

The next chapter discusses “Effective Teaching Methods” (Rogers, 97) which discusses the new and effective ways that teachers can use with an included classroom. Within this chapter is a research paper done at the University of Washington discussing “Cooperative Learning as an Inclusion Strategy: The Experience of Children with Disabilities”(Rogers, 123). This research paper discusses the strategies, activities, and learning procedures that can be done successfully in an inclusion classroom. Another important piece from this book is a case study done by the University of Alaska called “From the Courtroom To Cooperation: Educating a Child with Autism in The Regular Classroom” (Rogers, 139). This paper is about a study with a young child who has autism and how he cooperated within a regular second grade classroom.

In the following chapter “Using Assistive Technology” (Rogers,181) it discusses the new advances in devices that are available for special education students, and how they will make a large difference in the transition to regular classrooms for students. The final chapter discusses “Inclusion from the Parents’ Point of View” ( Rogers, 211), this examines the thought process and understanding of inclusion education to parents of an special education student. Within the chapter summary it discusses that “Parents agree that the major goal of mainstreamed education is to provide an environment in which all children, regardless, of intellectual or physical characteristics, can succeed” (Rogers, 218).

Overall this book discussed Inclusion education during the early 1990′s, and what research, studies, and answers were being found. The editor brought in many reliable sources that told of influential stories, or valuable statistics.

In regards to my own research topic and question, this book fit my needs almost perfectly. It gave me reliable resources and research that I could use to back up my stance, and also more persuasion towards my already chosen side. At times the book was a little hard to follow and did not have a flow to it, but more a factual point of view. It is also very outdated in the world of education, so much more has been developed and changed since then, which makes some of the studies and information useless. Although, it also makes some of it more valuable by allowing me to compare how far inclusion education has come since then. In all, I believe that this book was a great fit to my topic, but it would be even better if it was a more updated version.

Citation: Rogers,Joy.Inclusion:MovingBeyondOurFears.Bloomingtion, 1994.HotTopicSeries

Book Access

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Educating Peter Documentary

In this documentary Educating Peter (1992), director Gerardine Wurzburg captures one of the first moments of inclusion education with student Peter Gwazdauskas. In order to capture this Gerardine follows Peter around for the school year within his classroom; she also captures the teachers, students, and parents involved with Peter. The purpose of this documentary was to open the eyes of others on inclusion education and how it affects all that are involved. This documentary was addressed directly to those who do not believe in inclusion education, showing and persuading them to understand and agree with inclusion education.

Educating Peter was a film that was put out at a very unique time in education history.It was the beginning of excepting and allowing special needs students into the general education classroom. Peter was among some of the first to go through this transition and the very first to document it for others to see. Inclusion education was a new and unknown area in education where Peter, classmates, teachers, his parents show us what the true intent of this documentary was meant to be.

From the very beginning of the documentary there is an ethos established in order to get the audiences attention. The people that were involved in this film were not randomly picked and they each played a very important role in the purpose of the documentary. Peter was chosen as the main character due to his age level, meaning that they would not have used an high school student with down syndrome for this film. He was a chosen actor because we automatically feel sympathy for the child and this new environment that he is put into. Peter’s classmates were also purposely put into this film showing how their attitudes and morals change towards Peter throughout the year. Suggesting that not only can Peter open up the eyes of these students, but also your eyes too.

Another person that was purposely featured in this film was the teacher. She shared with us her overall love for her students and classroom, but also showed how this can be changed and approved upon. I also think that she was chosen to not only be Peter’s teacher, but also a part of this film due to her age and how she made us feel towards an older and well rounded teacher. The last person that stood out to me in the film was the parents of Peter, the ones who shared with us how successful this inclusion was for them. Making any parent feel not only sympathy but an understanding for what these parents are going through and what they want for their child. 

I think every scene and little detail was consciously put into this documentary, making it well rounded and allowing it to win many awards. The film has different background music that plays with the consumers mind. They also choose a narrator that evokes a certain kind of empathy and understanding from you. The director made sure to include how Peter approves from week to week; showing some of his worst moments in the beginning and ending with some of his best moments. There are also multiple interviews with the classmates throughout the year allowing them to give their opinions of the matter from beginning to end. They make sure to show you how the students have changed their perspective and understanding of Peter. 

The film also includes interviews and scenes with the teacher, showing her scared and unsure attitude in the beginning of the school year and how it changes; emphasizing how she grows and learns along with her student Peter. Peter’s family and home life is another large portion of the documentary, showing how it has changed for the better of the family. The film ends with Peter’s new loving bond between him and his classmates, and also winning a reward as an exceptional student in front of the whole school. Right after our last scenes with Peter there is a black screen with a quote stating “There are over 60,000 students like Peter attending regular classes at elementary schools in the United States; each year the number grows.”

Overall I enjoyed this documentary and was very moved by not only the documentary, but also by how much our education system has changed since the filming. This documentary is very relatable to my topic, it practically sums up the one side of the inclusion education spectrum. Showing what inclusion education looks like for the students, teachers, and parents; although times have changed and approved since then. It allows us to see what Peter and the classroom go through everyday, what struggles and accomplishments they have as a class. 

Educating Peter shows not only all the good parts of inclusion education, but also the bad. The patience of the teacher and classmates, the outbursts and interruptions they must cope and learn from. Even though I believe this was an amazing film, and that it pulled at all the right heart strings, I think that it may be slightly opinionated. The director does an amazing job of showing the bad times with Peter in the film, and all the things that went wrong; yet it is not discussed all the way through the film. They avoid the idea that Peter continues to interrupt and set back the classroom. The film does a great job at portraying the struggles, but it avoids the idea that these struggles may have put other students behind. 

In conclusion I believe that this documentary deserved all the awards and attention that it received, but I wish it shared with us what the students may have missed out on due to their attention to Peter. I also understand that the overall purpose of this documentary was to persuade and open up the world of education to inclusion, therefore I think that it fulfilled its overall purpose very fittingly.  

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Ted Talks on Inclusion Education

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Research, Statistics, and Opinions from Education World

How do we determine something for the world of education if there is not enough research on it? Within the article Special Education Inclusion one of the biggest subjects that stood out to me was the topic discussion of whether or not there is enough research. Although inclusion education is a concerned subject in the world of education, it is not one that has been heavily researched. It is a fairly new subject in education and they are still working out all the small details. 

This article stood out to me during my research due to the fact that it brings in both sides of the spectrum. They also have opinions and research that was done by  teachers, professors, and even parents. The article is also sectioned off into key points for inclusion education, allowing the reader to focus on the points that they gravitate towards the most.

When reading through the article there were many key parts that particularity caught my attention and made me want to obtain more information. For example one professor said “Similarly, many times youngsters classified as communication-handicapped are placed in segregated settings with other children who do not communicate.” By saying this the professor is bringing up a very valid argument, the fact that students will learn better from other students that are different from them. The article also includes information on the long-term benefits of inclusion education. They talk about the research that is now being put into action and how they are now studying not just what happens in the classroom, but also how it affects these students later in life. Both of these sections of the article really stood out to me, although the rest of the article is just as important.

Overall I came across this article while doing my research and found it very helpful and full of valuable information. I particularly like how it states researches and opinions from both sides. This article was a great read for me and was very helpful when researching my topic. To me it is a must read for everyone, we are all involved in the education world one way or another.

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“Let’s get rid of Special Education” Article

In this persuasive article “Let’s Get Rid of Special Education” (2017), Tim Villegas and his many resources of studies and surveys fight for the right of inclusion in special education. The author did this by using outside sources to explain how inclusion benefits all that are involved. His purpose was to show why inclusion works for everyone, and in order to make it happen the education system must change. His audience is mainly pointed towards those who either don’t believe in inclusion, or do not fully understand it. Throughout the article the author really tries to emphasize the fact that inclusion is beneficial to everyone in the classroom.

Villegas’s argument can be standardized as follows:

P1: Around the same time about half a century ago, families began to institutionalize their severely disabled family members. Though this became less acceptable over time, the damage had been done.   

[P2: Even though our special education programs have evolved, they are still not the best that they could be.]

P3: What we have today are fragments and pockets of schools and communities that “do” inclusion well”

[P4: There are places that are doing inclusion education correctly, but it is not everyone and that’s what we need.]

Thesis: Even though there is some inclusion education, it is not enough and most of it needs improvement. 

Tim Villegas puts up a very valid and supported argument, using not only himself but also multiple outside sources. He really tries to aim at the point that inclusion education is beneficial for everyone involved in the classroom. By using six different studies and surveys he puts a lot of truth behind his meaning. The article is also broken up into segments starting with what inspired the article to explaining how special education started and where it is today. Overall I think that he made his points valid and did a great job of using other research to back up his statements, although I can also see where his bias might play a bigger role. He does have experience in a special education classroom, but he doesn’t have any experience in a general education classroom. Therefore does he really have the right to argue for something that he has yet to experience himself. 

Overall I admire the article, the research, and time that this teacher took to put his opinion out. I value the research, studies, and surveys that he shares with the audience. He really makes a point to back up his opinion with the work of others. Although I do feel that this article is heavily opinionated, I feel that he needs to understand both sides of the spectrum. I think that I would agree with, and support the article better if the teacher had more experience from all around. I would take his opinion more into consideration if he had experience in both a general education classroom and a special education classroom. In the end it was a well written article, I just feel that the author had a opinionated side from the beginning. 

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Inclusion Advertisement

In this ad (2016), Lisa Friedman is suggesting that inclusion is not something that the government must enforce as a program, but instead a mindset we must all choose. Lisa Friedman backs up this claim by showing two people hand in hand; with a light blue sky symbolizing that there is no limit to inclusion. Lisa's purpose is to encourage and persuade people that we are the ones who chose to include and give everyone "the opportunity to learn together from one another." Lisa Friedman is targeting this advertisement towards anyone who doesn't agree with, or understand inclusion education.

When analyzing this advertisement the first thing that pops out to me is the chosen background, and the meaning that was put behind it. It shows a way that people are united together by being hand in hand with one another. I believe that the big open clear sky was purposely set behind that hands to show that there is no limit in inclusion, that not even the sky is a limit. Together the hands and sky allow us to understand that it is our choice to hold each other hand in hand and reach for the sky. The colors were also chosen on purpose, there would not be a storming sky in the background of two people holding hands to come together. It is purposely a bright blue happy sky, making someone feel happy and comfortable .

The text is also another way that the advertiser shows what is important and what parts should stand out to you. At the top of the advertisement it is made clear what the whole purpose is, "Inclusion is not a program." Right away we know that the purpose of this ad is to show that there is more to inclusion than it just being a government program that we must follow. There is also specific bolded text at the end of the ad making the reader understand that we must do what the ad is asking is to do, because there is no other choice "PERIOD."

Overall I think that the layout of this ad was well chosen and that the point was put across well. It' an ad that someone could glance at to read and right away understand the purpose. It also has a very inviting feeling with the colors and picture, but makes a bold point within its reading. I think that this ad was well put across and had potential meaning behind it.

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Education Inclusion Argument

For this blog, I will be discussing the controversy over whether inclusion should be a part of the United States education. Inclusion is defined in the dictionary as "the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure, also known as, a person or thing that is included within a larger group or structure." In the U.S. we offer the idea of education inclusion which is defined by Sara Daren as " the basis that those students who require special needs in an educational environment should have access to "mainstream" schools."

When combining the meaning of both definitions we understand that inclusion is the idea of having all students within a regular classroom, along with other students. For years, there were arguments and court trials over the idea of not all students getting fair and proper education. Only in the 20th century were special education students and adults included and brought back into society, and then brought into the inclusion education system.

Next in 1997, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was put into place. It was shortly lived and changed in fifteen years. The act was replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, also known as "IDEA", only the few short years later this was also reconstructed. Next came the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act which was in 2004. In the end, the meaning of the three acts was that all children and youths with disabilities have a right to free, appropriate, public education.

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Through this blog entry, I would like to research and discover whether the inclusion education is hurting or helping America. I would like to question and understand the meaning between both sides of the spectrum. Till this day there are ongoing controversies on whether the students are making progress, and if the program is affecting other students negatively. There are positive and negative affects to this program, that both sides have the right to argue. I chose to research and understand this topic so that I can put myself in both sides shoes and understand what they must walk through. I hope top also find facts and true evidence that puts all other biased information to the side, and to look at the subject purely by itself. I strive to give information in my blog that argues and takes information from both sides of the spectrum.

Overall, this research topic to me is important to everyone and anyone, in one way or another you will be affected by it. You may be a parent, sibling, or friend to a student with disabilities who you believe deserves everything the education system has to offer. You may also be a parent or the student that is affected by the inclusion program, which you may feel is impairing your full potential of education. No matter who you or where you come from, you are affected by this one way or another. I think that we must all inform and educate ourselves on the matter, and not only understand but also comprehend the information from both sides.