Inclusion

What is inclusion?

Inclusion is the practice of involving students with disabilities in school activities, such as in the classroom, breakfast, lunch, recess, clubs, assemblies, field trips, etc., alongside students without disabilities. Inclusion is important because it teaches students to accept people’s differences and connects students with disabilities to the larger school community.

What are the different types of classrooms?

A general education (commonly known as “gen ed”) classroom or inclusive classroom is a classroom that contains both students with and without disabilities being taught by a general education teacher. However, students with disabilities can be supported in this classroom with the accommodations listed in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

A substantially separate (sub-separate) or self-contained classroom is a classroom that only contains students with disabilities being taught by a special education teacher.

What should parents and students (if they are over 14) keep in mind?

When offered the choice between a gen ed or sub-separate classroom, a parent or student (if they are 14 and over) should strongly consider the gen ed classroom option because the student will receive the same level education as students without disabilities. Also, gen ed classes enable students with disabilities to make better academic and social-emotional progress. It is important to note that there are different levels of inclusion depending on the needs of the student, but partial inclusion is better than no inclusion at all.

There is an over-assignment of Black and Latinx students with disabilities in sub-separate classrooms. This can be considered another form of segregation. If the school initially offers a sub-separate placement, then parents and students (if they are 14 and over) have the right to request placement in a gen ed classroom.

In order to get a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), students with disabilities should be educated alongside students without disabilities in gen ed classrooms as much as possible, according to federal and state law.