Lenguas extranjeras Instituto “Juan Amós Comenio” 30 de mayo de
2016 Andrea Blengio Grupo: 4to C.
Adapted text:
INCLUSION CONFUSION OR QUALITY EDUCATION?
The string of federal statutes that began in 1975 created confusion in countless American classrooms as educators struggled to provide quality education for special and general education students. Parents and advocates feared that services to disabled children would be lost if they were moved to regular classrooms. Teachers weren't convinced that inclusion would work.
At one point, the American Federation of Teachers even called for a moratorium on full inclusion. "We have great problems with the movement that says 'Start by putting all the kids in the [regular] classroom,'" said Albert Shanker, then the president of AFT, in "A.F.T. Urges Halt to 'Full Inclusion' Movement," a January 1994 Education Week on the Web story.
What research says about long-term benefits Although support for inclusion of children with disabilities in regular education gains momentum, research lags behind. "Unfortunately, we do not have research that has directly addressed this issue," John McDonnell, Ph.D., told Education World. McDonnell is the chairman of the Department of Special Education in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Utah. His research includes funded projects on the inclusion of middle school students with severe disabilities.
"The best available information comes from the follow-up studies of high school graduates. Thedata suggests that inclusion in general education classes, especially in vocational education courses, is associated with improved post-school outcomes," McDonnell told Education World.
Although research on the long-term effects of inclusion may be sketchy, there is some evidence of the positive effects of inclusive education on students who do not have disabilities. "Both research and anecdotal data have shown that typical learners have demonstrated a greater acceptance and valuing of individual differences, enhanced self-esteem, a genuine capacity for friendship, and the acquisition of new skills," according to Long – Tem Effects of Inclusion, from the ERIC Clearing House on Disabilities and Gifted Education. (See also Frequently Asked Questions on Inclusion).
Not a one size-fits-all program Pat Linkhorn, a parent and consultant to parents and educators in the special education field, knows that inclusion is more than a one-size-fits-all program. Both of Linkhorn's daughters have received special education services. Krystal, who is blind, is fully included and has a part-time aide.
Kimberly is autistic; although she has benefited from inclusion, "more attention to social skills and building on her individual strengths would have been a plus," Linkhorn told Education World.
Linkhorn's experience is an example of how an effective inclusion program works. "I was fortunate enough to have a principal with whom I could actually discuss things. We didn't always agree, but I feel we had enough respect for each other to compromise when we had differing views," Linkhorn said.
"Research suggests that effective schools are not inclined to ship difficult kids out but try to develop ways to meet their needs in the school," McDonnell told Education World. "The view of the faculty is that all students, including those with the most significant disabilities, should participatein the general education curriculum. What changes is how instruction is designed for students and the types of supports they are provided.
Source: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr320.shtml