Inclusive education and its 21st century importance
Inclusive education is a process of ensuring that all learners are supported to achieve their potential and enjoy learning. Inclusive education acknowledges the diversity of learners and aims to remove or reduce the barriers that prevent learners from accessing and continuing education.Inclusive education models seek to create an environment in which every learner feels accepted, included, and connected to their peers, teachers, school, and larger community. By shifting away from “special” programs for children with learning difficulties or other needs and instead creating universally accessible schools, inclusive education has become an important part of modern educational theory.
What does inclusive education mean?
First and foremost, inclusive education means education for all. In its ideal form, it is a system in which all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, physical ability, disability, or any other factor were given access to quality education. When it comes to special education, an inclusive education model suggests that students with special needs be integrated into the regular school environment (sometimes called a “mainstream” setting) whenever possible.In practice, inclusion can mean different things to different people. For some, it is merely a catchphrase used to describe mainstreaming students with special needs into regular classrooms as much as possible. This model of inclusion is often referred to as “scatter-bomb” or “shotgun” inclusion, because it leads to the scattering of special education services throughout a typical school setting.
Inclusive education in practice
Today’s inclusive education models are designed to make the learning environment as accessible as possible for every student. In some ways, inclusive education is a return to the older model of schools where students of all ages, races, and abilities studied and played together. However, in the past, “inclusive” educational models were primarily focused on socializing young children. Today’s version of inclusive education is more about creating an environment in which everyone can learn to their fullest potential.Children with special needs often participate in general education classes as much as possible, but they also receive specialized instruction in separate, less-crowded environments. Teachers and school staff are trained to recognize and understand the needs of all learners and to create environments that are accessible to all.
Origins of inclusive education
The concepts that inform inclusive education date back centuries. The idea that children of all abilities should attend the same schools and be educated together has its roots in the Renaissance. From the start, educators advocated for a more inclusive approach, and for centuries, education was accessible to everyone in Western culture. In the 19th century, special schools for children with disabilities were first established in Great Britain, and over the next few decades, similar facilities were opened throughout the Western world.In the United States, the rise of special education coincided with the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. IDEA was the first-ever federal law mandating that all children with special needs be provided with a free and appropriate public education. Until then, special ed was primarily a locally funded service, and states had very different standards for what children needed to succeed.
Universal design and accessibility
A key concept in modern inclusive education is the idea of universal design. Universal design is a concept that holds that products, environments, and services should be designed with all populations in mind. In the educational context, this means that barriers to learning should be removed from all aspects of the school experience.Schools that are built or retrofitted with accessibility in mind are universally designed, and all students, including those with disabilities, are able to access the buildings’ features such as stairways, corridors, and doorways. Likewise, the classroom environment should include features such as wide walkways, sturdy furniture, and moveable furniture that can be used by all students. Teachers use accessible instructional practices and materials, such as large-print textbooks, computer voice functions, and digital books.
Benefits of inclusive education
Advocates of inclusive education cite many benefits to the approach, including a more equitable society, reduced costs, and improved learning outcomes for all students.
A more equitable society: Inclusive education is designed to give learners who might otherwise be left behind a chance to succeed. It gives underrepresented students the chance to compete on a level playing field with their peers.
Reduced costs: Because inclusive schools are designed to be fully accessible, they require fewer special education services. This means lower costs. It is also more efficient to place less-mobile students in a single classroom rather than have them travel to and from a centralized special ed classroom.
Plus, the cost of maintaining one building is less expensive than maintaining two. Improved learning outcomes for all students: Students who are included in regular classes with their peers learn at a faster rate. In addition, students with special needs benefit from being in a less segregated environment and from being able to interact with their peers.
Disadvantages of inclusive education
While inclusive education is widely agreed to be a positive approach, it does have its downsides. Some educators worry that including students who are extremely challenged in normal classrooms will make it more difficult for other students to succeed.
However, evidence suggests that this does not happen. In fact, students with special needs who are included in normal classrooms outperform those who are segregated. Another concern is that society may lose sight of the needs of particularly vulnerable groups if we are not careful.
For example, deaf students may not need training in mainstream classrooms, but they do need sign language teachers and interpreters. By placing all students in one setting, we risk losing sight of the fact that certain students need more specialized support than others.
READ: Health Education Topics: 9 Ideas That Will Keep Your Students Engaged
Key takeaway
Inclusive education is designed to provide equal opportunity for all learners to succeed. It aims to reduce the barriers to education that some students face by creating an environment that is accessible and accepting of all learners.
It has its roots in the Renaissance and was first developed in the 19th century as part of the special education movement.
In modern times, inclusive education is practiced through the use of universal design, which is the idea that all products, environments, and services should be designed with all populations in mind and without consideration for age, ethnicity, physical ability, or other factors.
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