Children's Abilities in Mainstream Schooling

Children's Abilities in Mainstream Schooling

  • Submitted By: ayshab123
  • Date Submitted: 03/09/2009 3:24 PM
  • Category: Psychology
  • Words: 1976
  • Page: 8
  • Views: 1

Discuss and evaluate the argument that all children of all abilities should be included in mainstream schooling.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) team decides on the setting in which students with learning disabilities and related mild disabilities receive education. With growing rates the suggested setting is mainstream schooling. The term inclusion is used to refer to mainstream schooling. For successful education for students in mainstream schooling, it is important to supply appropriate supports for students with disabilities in comprehensive classrooms. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA-2004) requests for educating students with disabilities in the slightest restricted environment, therefore, with other students who do not have disabilities to the level which is most suitable. IDEA-2004 highlights that students with disabilities should have access to mainstream schooling. Many researchers argue that evidence shows that special education model over another is still questionable (Zigmond, 2003b, 2007).

Several teachers argue that children with disabilities, including learning disabilities, have a right to contribute in environments as close to normal as possible and to gain socially and academically from mainstream schooling and society. However, other teachers argue that locating students with disabilities in other environments for education is both harmful and stigmatizing (McLeskey, Hoppery, Williamson, and Rentz, 2004; Rea, McLaughlin, and Walter-Thomas, 2002; Sainback, 1996; Waldron and McLeskey, 1998).

Many teachers believe that students with learning disabilities and related mild disabilities require intensive, systematic, and explicit education from tutors who are experienced and extremely skilled in providing such services. Teachers believe that education for students with disabilities is most effective in small instructional groups, that is hard to supply in a mainstream class (Vaughn,...

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