integrated vs self-contained

What is the big difference? My DS has been in an integrated class for the last two years. I am trying to decide what to do for Kindergarten in September. My home school does not have integrated classes and the school next door does, Im worried that he will be in the integrated class and eventually test out and then we will have to go to our home school next door leaving all the friends that he met. He will be getting OT, PT and possibly speech. He is shy, quiet and cognitive bright, wants to make friends. He has been through alot, has low muscle tone, 4 surgeries before the age of 2. His current teacher now is on board with what I want. I go back and forth. I also have two other kids right behind my current DS and having 3 kids in two different schools is a concern for me.
Thanks for all your help

integrated vs self-contained

On the high school level, integrated classes have general ed students in them while self contained do not.

integrated vs self-contained

Ask if he can go into a gen ed class in your home school with an aide. I would not put him in a self contained class if he does not need one, which it sounds like he does not. Does your home school have the OT, PT and speech you need? If not send him to the other school and just request that he stays there for the duration of his time in school. They can do that, it just needs to be approved by the superintendent.

Re: integrated vs self-contained

Integrated classes have some gen ed and some special ed students. There is usually a gen ed teacher with a special ed co teacher. Self contained is all special ed students with a special ed teacher, aides and other supports. Self contained is a much smaller class, usually less than 10 kids.

What is your district recommending? In my experience the district will tell you what they recommend based on his performance in pre-k. If he has been in an integrated and done well I would imagine they would want to keep him in that setting.

Re: integrated vs self-contained

If he does get moved out of the integrated class at some point you can request to stay in the same school. I believe most districts will approve this based on the very reasons you have cited. You should ask at your meeting, they will tell you what has been done in the past

Re: integrated vs self-contained

You want the least restrictive environment that suits his needs.. so in this case if he is doing well in integrated I would be inclined to keep him there.

integrated vs self-contained

Thank you so much! I am leaning towards integrated class and just trying to keep him there as long as possible. My other issue is I have 2 other kids right behind him in grades. I would hate having 3 kids in 2 different schools. My other DS and DD would both be in the school next door my home school but Im worried about activities being on the same days. I also don't want him asking why his sister and brother are in one school and he in another. I truly want whats best for him. Thanks so much!

Re: integrated vs self-contained