Responsible Inclusion

“Inclusion Strategies,” edited by Paul Zionts consists of a series of perspectives, experiences, and best practices used while working with students with learning and behavior problems.  There are many facets to inclusion but I feel it is most important to focus on key components for success.  If students with special education needs are going to integrate into the regular classrooms there are crucial components that need to be addressed.  I feel like it is not beneficial for educators to focus so strongly on subject matter content.  If there are not appropriate inclusion activities incorporated within the curriculum many students with special needs are certainly going to be left behind.  It will also be necessary for general education teachers and special education teachers to join together and share their expertise in working with difficult students so we can ensure positive collaboration among educators.  If special education and general education teachers do not maintain essential communication efforts students with disabilities will not appropriately benefit from general education inclusion.  It will be vital for a general education teacher to know whether the student is placed in general education for academic purposes, or primarily the social development aspect.  If a student is integrating back into regular education classes it is important for general education teachers and special education teachers to work together to ensure that the student does not fail in this setting again.  This means re modeling the general education curricula so that it meets needs of students both in and outside of special education classes.  Educators need to make crucial decisions as to what the students need to learn and what accommodations will need to be implemented so that child benefits from the inclusion process. Responsible inclusion consists of careful planning, communication between educators, and a confident method to evaluate progress.