Re: Would you be upset if...

All of the data research demonstrates that inclusion is most beneficial not only for children with special needs, but those without as well - exposure to children who are different is essential for our little ones to grow up with compassion and sensitivity to the needs of others.

With that said though, I don't think inclusion works AT ALL if the District doesn't provide the necessary supports so that the main instructor can devote his/her time to the entire class equally. Without that, it becomes a drain on the instructor and if there is a behavioral disability at play, it can be destructive to the rest of the class.

If all the necessary supports in place, I think inclusion is ideal and welcome it for my children.

I'll add the caveat that one of the biggest reasons why I'm a huge proponent for inclusion is because I was one of those children growing up - I had a severe learning disability. But instead of placing me in an alternative school, my mother pushed for inclusion in the least restrictive environment. I was provided about 2 hours of one-on-one instruction in a pullout every day, but the benefit of spending 80% of my time with the general education population was immeasurable and I'm sure a major, contributing factor my success today as a fully-functioning, successful contributing member of society. In the end, inclusion is a benefit for ALL of us, if done properly...

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DD#1 is in a class this year that is inclusion. This is the 1st time and she is in 4th grade. I never thought that I would have an issue with it but after a few weeks, I am starting to have an issue. My DD is an "A" student that struggles a bit in math. She has always done very well. She recently came home with 3 test scores in the 70's, which is Soooooo unlike her. She was in tears and told me she is having a really hard time focusing when she is testing because the teacher sits with the inclusion kids during the test and reads the questions over and over and helps them. She said it is so distracting that she has ended up in tears in class. This was confirmed to me by her BFF and then the teacher(in passing). I am about to schedule a meeting with the teacher because of the situation. I will say this though, my kid is easily distracted and maybe she is just not a good fit for this type of class.

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Message edited 10/10/2010 10:30:18 PM.

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Not at all. My daughter was in one last year.

I felt that the teachers paid more attention to my daughter. She was able to have more individual attenion because there were 3 teachers, less than 20 students.

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Message edited 10/10/2010 10:07:22 PM.

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not at all!
josh is on the waiting list currently to be chosen for an inclusion prek program.

the teacher/student ratio is incredible

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It doesn't bother me in theory at all, I totally understand the benefits to all students. It would only become a problem if my DD is adversely affected by it, regarding distraction, slower paced learning or behavior issues in the class. The thing is that school is so competitive and fast paced, that having the curriculum slowed down even slightly will be a disservice to her the next year. FTR my DD has yet to be in an inclusion class so I do not have first hand experience.

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Would not bother me in the least, in fact, I would WELCOME it. I think it helps teach children tolerance for others, helps them be compassionate, and shows them that just because someone learns differently, that they are still kids and have the right to be in the same classroom.

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Considering my 4 year old son is considered special needs, nope!

It makes me so so sad that there are people who would be upset over this. Like it's an awful thing for their typical child to be exposed to a child who needs some extra help. God forbid!

People are ignorant. It makes me so upset. My child is bright, loving and social. But yes, he learns a bit differently than others. He also happens to thrive around typical peers...he learns from them, and i believe he teaches others as well.

I do believe there are certain circumstances where a child with extreme needs would prob. benefit from a specialized program that is best for THEM but i would never have a problem if that child were in my childs class. I think we all need to be accepting and understand that ever child is not cookie cutter typical. Even typical kids aren't always typical...we all come with areas of weakness that need a bit of extra help at times!

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I answered No, but I could be biased since my son is currently in one for kindergarten. I see it as there are only 16 kids in his class with 3 full time adults(1 teacher, 1 spec. ed teacher and 1 aide). How could that be any less than ideal? The other classes have between 22-26 kids in each class with only one teacher. I believe he is getting more attention then he would be getting in a non-inclusion class. So no, I have absolutely no problem with it.

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BUT, would you have a problem if this one child is such a behavioral distraction and disruption EVERY DAY that it is not only requiring his assigned specialist but the main teacher as well as an assistant??....to the point where safety and security of the other children is being compromised on a daily basis?? Where is the line?


As a parent who may be on the other side of this let me try to explain...

Sometimes what happens is a child can have behavior problems, but they have a normal IQ. You have to "test" into a special ed program, you're not just given one.

So where do these children go to school? Public school with everyone else. The ratios in a lot of public schools are really high though, so that can be a real problem for a child who is easily distracted and overwhelmed.

Private schools, some of them anyway, don't want children with any behavior problems AT ALL. So public school sometimes is the only option for parents dealing with things like this.

It could be that the CSE wanted to give this child a chance in an inclusion program, and they will meet soon after school starts to see how things are working out. Then the child may be placed in a program if they need one. That will be based on the teachers, the child's parents, and the board.

However, they can't tell you any of this because of privacy issues, KWIM?

Message edited 10/12/2010 1:57:48 PM.

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I do. And I understand to a degree. But an impressionable kindergarten class seeing a child that exhibits potential violence, screaming, and other sanitary issues makes me wonder why one child's right to a fair education or IEP seems to be held in higher regard than 24 students that deal with almost an hour of each day of behavioral disruptions at a time when the foundation of their learning, social, and various other skills are being laid.

I am all for inclusion...I really am. I just worry about the safety and overall learning environment that exists with this model.



Public school has an obligation to make reasonable and fair accommodations for every child in the district.

He/she is only there for 1 hour per day?

If that's the case it's probably just for social reasons, and it's probably not during any structured learning activities.

That would just be my guess not knowing specifics.

I do have a child with behavior issues, however, they are not nearly to the extent which you are describing. So I can only speak from my experiences.

My district offers public pre-K to all students. Lance only has SEIT services 2 hours per week. The UPK ratio is 18:1:1, it's not inclusion so there is no full time ed teacher. After giving it a lot of thought, I chose to pay for private school. I felt that would be the best environment for my son.

Of course I would not want my son in any situation that would be dangerous, that's a given. I would never allow that.

I would never tell any parent not to advocate for their child. I will always speak for my son, I am his voice. However, in this situation you have to realize that you are not only speaking for your child, but also against someone else's. So you may be trying to take away the only opportunity that child has to socialize with typical peers. I'm not saying your daughter should be one of them. I'm just trying to explain that there are two sides to every coin.

It's likely that if this situation is not working for the class, the teacher, parents, and board will place this child in a proper environment... Like I said, it may only be temporary. You have every right to voice your opinion as well, as every parent does.

I'm just offering you some insight as to how the system works, from the other side. KWIM?

Your post was not the catalyst for my post. I was just curious. I wanted honest opinions and I got them. No hard feelings on my part.

I also apologize if I upset any other parents with special needs children. That was certainly not my intention.

Message edited 10/12/2010 3:39:42 PM.

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In my district it is not called and inclusion class. It is called an integrated classroom. i think it depends on district. Jacob is in it and we have a reg gen ed teacher, special ed teacher and an aide. There are 20 children in this class. We actually have 2 children who are bussed to our school because their home school doesn't have this class in the school.

I would have no problem even if my son did not have an IEP. They get more attention because there are 3 teachers in the class...

JAcob is thriving and it is only a month.. The teachers are incredible and are the perfect match for him. Even typical kids parents request to get them as teachers everyone is so happy.

What I think people have to realize is that Every parent has the right to have the least restricted environment for their child. A district can only recommend a setting for that child not force a parent into a decision...
Unfortunately in certain situations this law does not work but it is the law..

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I wouldn't, unless it became disruptive to the class environment. I don't see children needed extra help with a topic any different than the kids at the other end of the scale who are very quick learners and need enrichment activities to keep them from getting bored and acting out in class.

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my DS has autism and he is in special ed. i just had a discussion with his behavioral therapist and she told me that if a child is in danger of hurting himself or others, he wouldn't be put in an inclusion class. the kids that are put in the inclusion class are high functioning and aren't violent. at least that's how it is in my district.