The public schools have get to start getting this stuff right! Every classroom is diverse. Although many schools are moving towards special-needs-inclusive classrooms, there are a number of issues or challenges that need to be addressed. The country’s future economic health and prosperity is dependent on the next generation of children, yet 2019 saw a 12% reduction in federal spending on education. What about a kindergarten class with 20 students and 5 have severe behavior issues. So how is my child supposed to learn if this is not working for him?!?! I think many advocates of education for all just don’t believe the rights of non-disabled students should be less valued simply because they have fewer special needs. An independent evaluation often gets parents the outcome they desire. Inclusion in the Classroom. Parents, teacher and administrators must remain in communication. Three of the kids came to school with their own assistants each day. I am tired of those kid, sweet as they are, draining the general ed teacher. Best practice in inclusion involves identifying the exact nature of difficulties experienced by pupils. At the time, Congress promised to pay 40% of the additional costs of providing these services to these students. Explore some of the common challenges that teachers face with special-needs-inclusive classrooms, from insufficient training to a shortage of teacher aides. See how Sunbelt is reaching out in your community. Sometimes as frequently as every few minutes. If you need some inspiration look at my hubs. 6. We need MORE support staff and more highly qualified ones. I have been at this school for 15 years with an excellent reputation for teaching successfully to my students. If the teacher doesn't have sufficient experience, the child may not progress in their skills—or, in the worst-case scenario, they could experience adverse medical incidents. Yes there are the ODD, ADD and ADHD students and then those who come from single parents homes without breakfast or lunch. I recalled one of my students who had severe reading difficulty and whose average was very poor at the time for wring external exams. I think if those students are to be in the general ed room they need to at least be able to aone what of the grade level work with a some accommodations. Never the less the suceess of inclusive Education is depend upon the attitude of the teachers, parents, peers of CWSN etc... Kiconco Moses Ntegyereize--Uganda on December 10, 2015: Teachers need to be trained in order to acquire skills, I think the government should increase payment of these teachers. The problem of inadequate preparation of teachers to teach in inclusive classrooms in developing countries is even worse. kids. How is that? This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. Youngsters are now guinea pigs in an experiment that may prove highly detrimental to their futures and society's as a whole. I have NEVER had a certified special education teacher with me in the classroom. I’m allready fustrated and shes only been in the kindergarten class for 3 months. The real issue was that 13 kids in the class were special education while only 3 were gen. ed. Later came the reports about how loud the class was at all times with so many adults talking and whispering to the kids. This is the same issue I have with my son. Inclusion is a nice enough word, connoting magnanimity and beneficence as well as welcoming and tolerance. By geraldine C; Jun 22, 2018, 4:27 PM; Thank you for such an informative post! Just like the students, some parents are not used to dealing with persons with special needs. I have requested to take him out the Inclusive classroom and put him in a special ed classroom however I’m being told his “disabilities” are not severe enough to be in a constrained classroom. Most of my spec ed students are capable of so much more, but the spec ed teacher doesn’t want to push them. Now why would you send them in a music class when they are getting so bothered with it at the same time why general ed kids should stop from learning music. chulumanda Benson Mulenga - Zambia on May 07, 2012: Inclusion can just be a dream if necessary measures have not been put in place. Very little to no disabled or physically challenged students. Including students with autism in the general education is a problem that was compounded by increasing regulations placed on classroom teachers to meet state requirements. My son was pretty happy…the class just moved so slowly as they waited for the co-teacher to catch her kids up. She is convinced that group work and graphic organizers will magically make them learn. Your comments, opinions (personal and professional), have allowed me to see a totally different perspective and the disadvantages of inclusion classrooms. Yes, if you want to be popular you will stand for inclusion but if your real a helper teacher, you will suggest for exclusion of learners with disabilities from general classrooms! However, results of providing separate pullout I was told that he was not…now…I find out that he still is! I felt proud for him. All of your comments concern me. I am terribly upset about the situation and feel it is my responsibility to do something about the situation. For classroom teachers, they struggle to provide adequate material suitable for the SE students while also providing mainstream instruction for the other students. I have yet to meet any parents that have a clue that 3/4 of their child’s class require accommodations. I wish that teacher education programs were doing more to address this. https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2018-07-27/americas-schools-arent-working-for-americas-kids, Fully Fund IDEA: IDEA, the landmark special education law that Congress passed in the 70’s that required school districts to identify and provide services for students with disabilities. In the process, though, they can neglect the whole child (body, mind, and spirit) and that's when parents need to advocate for their kids. My biggest problem with teaching inclusion classes is when there are students who are emotionally disturbed or have other problems that are manifested regularly in the class. These children face vast disability concerns. The teacher did add in my sons file that he really had told the child over 20 times over the last many months to stop. I have seen larger school boards implement a co-teaching system which I have become a big fan of! I do understand there are problems in every school with staffing – but because of improper staffing to say that inclusion does not work is not true! If the students qualifying for support are all in one room, one SPED teacher can service them all conveniently. ESE Teacher in a perfect world inclusion classes would have an assistant. Why don’t I have a choice in this. It stated in one student’s PLOP that she ‘sometimes had to be reminded to wipe herself after going to the bathroom.” He found himself one of 27 kids in a class where over half the kids had some form of ld. And what about those general ed kids in the class? By the way, Special Education teachers are not aides, they are certified teachers, treat them with respect. Inclusion should be a carefully planned process for the welfare of the child. As the mother of a child that has been in a fully inclusive classroom since preschool, I have seen the ups and downs, advantages, and challenges of this type of classroom setting. Because of these issues, they are now considered a part of the special needs community. He refuses to ask for help and when he is helped he still doesn’t get it. Being in every class together may actually alienate the students more than if they were separated for specific classes. From sending their kids to class in fancy duds to expecting special treatment for their precious tykes, these parents' actions exacerbate the sky-high turnover rate in early childhood education. My principal figured that since two adults would be in the classroom, it would make sense to put most of the behaviorally challenged students in with the IEP I was a General Music teacher and taught first through sixth grade. Psychologists are not allowed to or are ill equipped to identify mood disorders or personality disorders. With those who are not challenged and with the frustrated. I was enriched. The principal, however, places all these students in one or two classrooms per grade level. I believe the class benefits from his time in the class, but there are several other special education students in the class who are extremely disruptive. The history of inclusion in the US school system is quite brief. There are adaptive toys for special needs children, you just have to know where to find them. Of special needs Uganda. The biggest issue I get from classroom teachers are not the SEP students, but the behavioral students. “Dirty Little Secret” from above REALLY hit home with me because a regular education teacher can’t even TALK honestly with Special Ed. First, I am a believer and supporter of inclusive education, but the problem is most people don’t understand what that really means. There are many issues that our inclusive education program is facing these days, and I am very thankful that you have transcribed some of them. Very little to no disabled or physically challenged students. It seems almost forbidden to mention that there are hardships with inclusive education, but its good to discuss the pros and cons. I think there needs to be a better balance. Most regular schools therefore need to be upgraded before they can accommodate and include learners of different abilities. There is a definite need for teachers to be supported in implementing an inclusive classroom. The complaints I’m reading on here I believe are a result of the state of our public education system in general. They found a loop hole to abide by the law without having to hire more special ed teachers. Follow the money. I am for having both classrooms, but should not get rid of ESE classrooms which is what Florida wants to do. No longer can diversity and inclusion be viewed as a cost center. If ESE kids are placed appropriately then it will benefit them. He becomes too nervous to ask for help and will become disruptive by fooling around. He was a trooper…at 1st. 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