There is a lot of controversy about inclusiveness and equality in classrooms. This is a very delicate subject because everyone is entitled to their own opinion and has to be respected. Let’s explore a bit more about the benefits and disadvantages of inclusive education:
Benefits of Inclusive Education for students labelled as exceptional:
Development of social skills by imitating other students in a regular classroom
All students form friendships
Students in a regular classroom meet their individualized education plan (IEP) goals better because they have access to the regular curriculum and the presence of role models
Exceptional children are exposed to diversity and learn how to interact with different situations
It sets higher expectations for all students increasing potential learning and leadership
Increases staff collaboration because they all work towards the same goals
Encourages parent participation. Parents get more involved in the education, and goals
Teaches other students tolerance and acceptance for people that might be different from them
Promotes self esteem for students that have the disability and they learn how to build friendships
Everyone should have the right of mainstream of school and community life
Disadvantages of Inclusive Education:
It forces students into cookie-cutter model of learning where all students learn by the same model without differentiated instruction
It can disturb and interrupt learning for other students
Some physical disabilities require a special classroom configuration
It can encourage other students to behave inappropriately
It forces teachers to have a knowledge of different exceptionalities
Classrooms are too big and so diverse that the teachers can’t teach individual students without extra help or resources
Exceptional students might not have the opportunity of one-on-one instruction
Students with exceptionalities may compare themselves to the other students and may suffer from stress or pressure.
Regular classrooms have too many distractions making it hard to focus
These are only a few of the different points of view for inclusiveness in classrooms.
Inclusion is hard. Just do it!
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