Integration in Education

Paper Summary:

This paper studies the current trend within special education toward integration, which means that special education students are fully integrated into mainstream classrooms. The paper studies the benefits and disadvantages to this system, which include possible disruptions in the curriculum for mainstream students and a lack of adequate staff to support the requirements of special needs students. The paper also reviews current research studies on the subject, and provides a qualitative summary of their findings. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations about inclusion, which the author maintains is a flawed -- but admirable -- approach to special education.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Purpose and Research Questions
Hypothesis
Method
References

From the Paper:

"Special education has been a major concern for human rights advocates and open-minded educators in recent decades. Since the 1970s, many great strides have been made in assuring that all students receive a fair and equal education. However, every liberal movement made in the education system is met with backlash from those reluctant to see changes. Many legitimate concerns have been raised by the most recent movement in special education, inclusion. The inclusion movement pushes for all students to be educated in a single classroom, so that there is complete integration between normal students and those with special needs. "Inclusive education means that all students in a school--regardless of their strengths, weaknesses, or disabilities in any area--become part of the school community." (King 2003) Special needs students can benefit from having non-disabled peers help mentor them through example, and normal students can benefit from learning to interact with disabled peers. A great deal of research has supported the viewpoints of the proponents of inclusion, while other research has supported the opinions of those not in favor of inclusion. The question must be asked whether or not inclusion is an effective approach to education. The many fears include that special needs students will not receive the individualized attention and care they need, and instead be neglected. Other concerns are that the curriculum of normal students will be watered down to accommodate for the disabled students, or that the disabled students will simply be a distraction. Regardless of the opposition, inclusion seems to be the new wave of special education, and efforts must be made to make inclusion work for the students."

More papers on Integration in Education:

• Essay # 58313 : "A Revolution in Education"
• Analytical Essay # 56933 : "Inclusion Discipline in Education"
• Term Paper # 98504 : "Leadership in Education"

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