Inclusion in education was once described as an approach wherein students with special educational needs spend most or all of their time with non-disabled students. Two Models There are generally two models for inclusion: push in or full inclusion.
"Push In" has the special education teacher enter the classroom to provide instruction and support to children. The push in teacher will bring materials into the classroom. The teacher may work with the child on math during the math period, or perhaps reading during the literacy block. The push in teacher also often provides instructional support to the general education teacher, perhaps helping with differentiation of instruction. "Full Inclusion" places a special education teacher as a full partner in a classroom with a general education teacher. The general education teacher is the teacher of record, and is responsible for the child, even though the child may have an IEP. There are strategies to help children with IEPs succeed, but there are also many challenges. No doubt not all teachers are well suited to partner in full inclusion, but skills for collaboration can be learned.
All students work toward the same educational outcomes based on high standards. There is a sense of community in which everyone belongs, is accepted and is supported by his or her peers and other members of the school community. Flexible groupings authentic and meaningful learning experienes and developmentally appropriate curricula are accessible to all students. Research based instructional strategies are used. Staff work collaboratively. New forms of accountability are used. There is access to necessary technology and physical modifications and accommodations. Parents are seen as equal partners.
New Horizons for Learning is an independent, international, nonprofit network of people supporting an expanded vision of learning that identifies and fosters fullest development of human capacities.
The Wildwood Institute was created in 1996 by Wildwood Programs with extensive assistance from the International Center for Leadership in Education. The Institute is charged with the mission of "promoting practices and policies that enable people with disabilities to lead productive and independent lives."
Bandaids and Blackboards is designed to help sensitize young school children to what it's like to grow up with medical problems. Based on research data, it includes strategies of inclusion, links for parents and teachers, and stories of some of the children who participated in the research.
The Helping Hands School in Clifton Park, New York, has been serving preschoolers with special needs for the last 15 years. This on-line database focuses on the school's founding mission: to help developmentally delayed preschoolers prepare for public education. Parents, health care professionals,and teachers can find information about developmental delays, why intervention is necessary, and most importantly, what parents can do for their children with disabilities.
Internet Resources for Special Children is dedicated to "communicating information relating to the needs of children with disabilities," this hotlist links to news and Web resources.