Inclusion Classes

Question for a friend but I guess it applies to me too!

Does the school have to ask the parents for permission to put the child in an inclusion class? Do the parents have a right to opt out if they are put in the inclusion class? (and this is a mainstreamed student we are talking about, not a student that they are "including")

Inclusion Classes

In our district, the school does not have to ask permission.

I don't know if there is an option to opt out. I have only heard good things about the classes in our district - people actually want their children to be in the inclusion classes.

Inclusion Classes

I think legally, no they font need your permission and don't have to honor requests like that. I would think it varies by district and principal whether they take requests like that into account at all or not.

Re: Inclusion Classes

To my knowledge there is no opt in or opt out. Even if your child does not receive services they will get the benefit of a second teacher in the classroom, so if they are having trouble with a topic the second teacher can and will also help your child.

Inclusion Classes

My kids were part of inclusion classes many times and here is my opinion: Hands down the BEST thing that could have happened. First of all, they learn at an early age that some kids are "different" than them. It teaches them empathy as well. I remember going for my sons parent teacher conference when he was in first grade. The teacher says to me that my son volunteers to walk "so and so" down the hallways and offers to read with her (she was autisitic). I did not teach him these things. I broke down in tears bc I was so proud of him. Next example, at one of my kid's spring concerts (where they sing on the bleachers in rows), a few of the autistic children were moving around a lot. Nobody even batted an eye at it and just kept singing. meaning it wasnt "different" to them anymore. To this day my kids would never make fun of anyone and have such empathy for anyone who is different.

Also as PP said, it does provide additional teachers in the room which is also beneficial to all the students.

Inclusion Classes

There is no opt in or out of inclusion classes. If the parent object to being in one, they can contact the principal to ask for a change but being in inclusion is the best - 2 teachers and lot more individualized attention.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Re: Inclusion Classes

The schools do not ask, but I do know parents that have requested a change. I think it's best to leave the decision up to the school and if things aren't working out, then discuss w the school

Message edited 7/22/2017 11:14:40 AM.

Inclusion Classes

My son was an inclusion classroom this year and in kindergarten. There are so many benefits, I would love this setting for him every year. He loved his two teachers and there was so much support. I feel like the only negative was that he become overly dependent on having so much support. I think two years in this setting was too much. He is capable of much more but he would often ask for help when he didn't need it. This is also a big part of his personality so for him that was the only aspect that I didn't like. Other than that, I loved the inclusion clasroom so much for him. MY DD was also in an inclusion classroom and she did really well and maintained her independence. I think it just depends on the personality of your child.

Message edited 7/22/2017 8:49:30 PM.

Inclusion Classes

I don't recall where I heard this, but I heard that they tend to put kids that are more friendly and empathic in the inclusions classes. My DD had one teacher in K and then from 1 to 3 was in the class with two teachers. I thought it was a good experience.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Inclusion Classes

My DD was in an inclusion class last year, I was very concerned. Her testing was great the year before and her principal explained to me that all the benefits that were explained by others. So i said lets give it a try and see. She was already going to another class for advanced math but for reading/writing etc she was in there. And honestly she was bored, i expressed my concern to her teacher and honestly nothing was done. Her teacher paired her with other students becasue she was friendly and pushed the other kids. Which was great but no one was pushing her and she needs to be challenged too. So even before her testing came back I asked for her not to be in an inclusion class this upcoming year. Her testing was not as good as it was the year before, now that could be due to many issues . I also consulted her teacher from the previous year and i wish i had done that earlier she expressed a lot of concern for her being in it. I don't like requesting teachers for my child, but I think what made me do it most of all was her past teacher expressing concern.
In our schools there are only 2 teachers during half the day. the other part of the day its only one.

Re: Inclusion Classes

My DS's school does not ask permission or even inform you that it is an inclusion class. We figure it out through word of mouth or when the initial class communications are signed by 2 teachers.

My DS has been in an inclusion class every other year -- K and 2nd (not inclusion in 1st and he won't be for 3rd, which he starts in Sept). There are 5 sections in his grade and 2 are inclusion classes.

It has not been a cause for concern for me at all. With extra adults in the room (last year - his class had the main teacher, the special ed teacher who pushed in for half a day, and several aides in the room at any given time), there can be more individualized instruction/attention for ALL students.
My son never really has focused on the fact that some kids are inclusion students -- he sometimes may mention "so-and-so needs a little extra help with this," but it's not like these kids stand out or are identified to the rest of the class.

With the non-inclusion classes, I have found there are sometimes more behavioral issues and distractions in class. At least with an inclusion class, the issues are identified and the support is in place. The class sizes are usually smaller with the inclusion class.

Personally, I have just found more benefits than drawbacks to being in that setting (and my son doesn't have any needs or require additional support in the classroom).

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by NicoleF219

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Maybe on Long Island or in elementary school all these things are true. But I have seen first hand in middle school that these classes often become dumping grounds for behavior problems because of the two teachers so no I wouldn't want my child in one of those classes.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by NicoleF219

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Maybe on Long Island or in elementary school all these things are true. But I have seen first hand in middle school that these classes often become dumping grounds for behavior problems because of the two teachers so no I wouldn't want my child in one of those classes.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by Straightarrow

Posted by NicoleF219

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Maybe on Long Island or in elementary school all these things are true. But I have seen first hand in middle school that these classes often become dumping grounds for behavior problems because of the two teachers so no I wouldn't want my child in one of those classes.

I think that this is a really sour way to look at it. The goal of special education is to have a child in the least restrictive environment. I can't imagine what you'd say about a 12:1 class.

I actually have no first hand experience with an inclusion class. My son was in a 12:1 for third and fourth grades, and I thought that inclusion was the next step 'up' and he'd be in one for fifth this coming year. His team has us doing something different, however.

Everything is relative.

Inclusion Classes

Honestly I am not a fan of my DDs being in inclusion classes after grade 3. I have found the pace is too slow for them and they get bored quickly. It also causes my younger DD to become lazy and do the least amount of work required because thats what she sees her peers doing. Its like she knows she can skate by so easily since the bar is lower. I am fortunate that my DDs are both very smart and I want them to be challenged and pushed as much as they can be to improve upon their personal best. My older DD is now in honor classes in middle school and it is a world of difference when a class is specialized and dedicated to meeting the needs of ALL the students in it.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by Straightarrow

Posted by NicoleF219

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Maybe on Long Island or in elementary school all these things are true. But I have seen first hand in middle school that these classes often become dumping grounds for behavior problems because of the two teachers so no I wouldn't want my child in one of those classes.

I think that this is a really sour way to look at it. The goal of special education is to have a child in the least restrictive environment. I can't imagine what you'd say about a 12:1 class.

I actually have no first hand experience with an inclusion class. My son was in a 12:1 for third and fourth grades, and I thought that inclusion was the next step 'up' and he'd be in one for fifth this coming year. His team has us doing something different, however.

Everything is relative.

I think she means a dumping ground for the gen ed kids with behavior problems since there are more eyes in the classroom. That is exactly how it was in my DD's class this year. Loads of behavior problem kids who are not in special education. The vast majority of the special education children were not the problem in her class this year.

Re: Inclusion Classes

My son is in ICT (he has an IEP). I loved his kindergarten class. But yes it is all how it is implemented.

I have friends who are teachers and yes, sometimes unfortunately, ICT becomes a place to put certain gen ed students with 'issues' (sometimes behavioral, sometimes academic). They feel oh well there's 2 teachers in the room so they can handle it. This is not supposed to be the inclusion model at all, but in reality does happen at times.

For some students, the model is great. For others not so much. Depends on the kid. My friend had an issue with her son in his ICT class (he was gen ed). One boy specifically would get up and walk around or jump on the chair to act like a superhero (stuff like that). Her son started to mimic the behaviors and it was a big problem. She has twins and her daughter's gen ed class was not like that all. For first grade, she requested him not to be in an ICT class and she was so happy because she stopped getting letters/calls about his behavior.

So I think it really depends on the kid (personally I think her daughter would have been fine in the ICT class because she is the type of kid if the teacher says to sit, she will sit and not move the entire day). I say this as a fan of inclusion. My son (on the special ed side) has benefitted tremendously.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by mnmsoinlove

Posted by curley999

Honestly I am not a fan of my DDs being in inclusion classes after grade 3. I have found the pace is too slow for them and they get bored quickly. It also causes my younger DD to become lazy and do the least amount of work required because thats what she sees her peers doing. Its like she knows she can skate by so easily since the bar is lower. I am fortunate that my DDs are both very smart and I want them to be challenged and pushed as much as they can be to improve upon their personal best. My older DD is now in honor classes in middle school and it is a world of difference when a class is specialized and dedicated to meeting the needs of ALL the students in it.

Glad to hear your daughters are smart and glad that they no longer have to suffer in a class where the bar is set low You should not speak about ICT classes because you have no idea what you are talking about.

Re: Inclusion Classes

Posted by Christine Braun - Century 21 American Homes

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by Straightarrow

Posted by NicoleF219

Posted by Teachergal

Please don't take this the wrong way-
Why should a school need to ask a parent to place their (gen ed) child in an inclusion class? What reason would there be to opt out?

An inclusion class is still a general education classroom, teaching the same curriculum at the same pace as every other classroom. The classified children in the class were carefully placed there by a committee of people that know them best- their parents and teachers- knowing that this was the least restrictive and most beneficial environment for them. The class will have two teachers which means double the amount of intervention and attention. Inclusion classes are wonderful and nothing to shy away from. I'm clearly biased because I teach in such a setting. But it truly is an amazing experience for all involved.

Maybe on Long Island or in elementary school all these things are true. But I have seen first hand in middle school that these classes often become dumping grounds for behavior problems because of the two teachers so no I wouldn't want my child in one of those classes.

I think that this is a really sour way to look at it. The goal of special education is to have a child in the least restrictive environment. I can't imagine what you'd say about a 12:1 class.

I actually have no first hand experience with an inclusion class. My son was in a 12:1 for third and fourth grades, and I thought that inclusion was the next step 'up' and he'd be in one for fifth this coming year. His team has us doing something different, however.

Everything is relative.

I think she means a dumping ground for the gen ed kids with behavior problems since there are more eyes in the classroom. That is exactly how it was in my DD's class this year. Loads of behavior problem kids who are not in special education. The vast majority of the special education children were not the problem in her class this year.

I find that interesting. In my DS's school, the students who are more behaviorally challenged or needy in some way (but do not require inclusion setting) are typically placed in the non-inclusion classes. The easier-going kids, the good peer role models, etc. tend to be placed in the inclusion classes.

I also think it's interesting that people are also saying that, if their child is bright, they are worried about them being slowed down, the pace of instruction holding them back, etc. But I've found the opposite - when my DS was in an inclusion class in kindergarten, he was able to be part of a challenge group for 4-5 kids who could work more independently and do additional work together. I think there is more opportunity for differentiated instruction when you have a lot of teachers and aides in the room. In my DS's inclusion class this past year (2nd grade), a couple of inclusion students had one on one aides to assist them.

Plus, there are always students, even in a general ed classroom, who are more advanced and those who struggle more. In the non-inclusion, general ed classes, students still get pulled out for reading support (if needed), speech, etc. Starting in 3rd grade, we have a gifted and talented program for those who need that kind of enrichment. So it's not as if everyone is moving at the same pace, academically, regardless of what class setting you are in. They all have to cover the same curriculum.

But as with all things, I think the success of the inclusion model depends on how it's implemented.