Celeste Riches

SpEd 221

28 March 2012

My Philosophy of Inclusion
Inclusive education is when children with and without disabilities participate and learn
together in the same classes. These children can learn from one another and be introduced to
many new experiences due to the combined environment of having both children with and
without disabilities. In most cases, inclusive classrooms are very beneficial to all student,
teachers, and parents. However, in different situations it may be more effective to the childs
learning if those with disabilities are with other children with disabilities.
I believe that all general education schools should offer a mix of inclusive classrooms,
special education classrooms, and non-inclusive classrooms, this way each student and parent
have a choice of environment the child will be most effective. The way inclusive classrooms
should work is to have the students and teachers helping each other learn. Those with disabilities
will be learning the same as those students without. The students without disabilities can help
those with disabilities understand, learn more, and feel included. In some situations, children
without disabilities will not include those students who have disabilities and these students will
be left out and they will not succeed in that environment. The child should have a choice in what
he/she wants to do. If the child wants to be in an inclusion classroom or not it is the parents
responsibility to do what they can to help their child feel included and safe and give them a good
learning atmosphere. If the childs disability will not allow them to be in an inclusive classroom,
the IEP team needs to discuss that as not being an option for the student.
Inclusive classrooms have many positive outcomes and can be beneficial for all students,
also including the teacher and parents. When deciding whether or not to be in an inclusive
classroom will all depend on the individual student and what will be most beneficial for their
learning environment.