Mainstreaming Special Education Students

Related / Guiding Legislation

Mainstreaming Special Education Students

By Ethyl Lyons for EDUC 450

Cons for Handicapped Students

Pros for Handicapped Students

• Teacher's attention is shared with many more students
• There is no one best setting for all handicapped students
• Peer group may not include any peers with the same or similar disability - they may be the only one in the entire school
• Deaf students who utilize sign language are unable to directly communicate with peers and staff
• Less protected environment
• Some needs may not be adequately met

• Real world environment
• Students can learn social skills through imitation
• Exposure to diversity
• Higher expectations / intellectual challenges
• Larger peer group / variety of friendship opportunities
• Larger variety of extracurricular choices (based on size of school)

Pros for

Non-handicapped Students

Cons for Schools

Cons for

Non-handicapped Students

• Learn about special needs
• Learn tolerance and empathy
• Opportunities to peer-tutor / help others
• Opportunities to develop closer friendships with differently-abled students

• Staff is spread out between schools to provide services, more specialized staff is needed
• Classroom teachers are asked to do even more
• Teachers may not have the special training needed for some students
• Staff must deal with all disabilities in the same general way instead of specialized programs in certain schools
• Performance ratings may be lower for schools with larger handicapped populations
• Schools must justify any non-inclusion times
• Schools must stay aware of potential legal issues that may arise

• Teacher's attention may be required more for the handicapped student(s)
• Some students may have negative feelings about disabled students who get more attention
• Interrupted learning time

Pros for Schools

• Philosophy of good - intends to include those who were being excluded
• Transportation distances for special needs students decreases
• Costs and need for special education classrooms may decrease

Ensures

legal rights

for persons with disabilities and freedom from discrimination in schools and the workplace.

Requires

schools to provide special education services to students with disabilities.

Provides for the following:

• IEPs
• FAPE
• LRE

Provisions:

• FAPE
• LRE
• freedom from discrimination at private schools and colleges
• 504 plan

ADA

(Americans with Disabilities Act)

Section

504

of the

Rehabilitation

Act

IDEA

(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

What does this mean for teachers?

Resources:

• Classrooms will have special needs students, possibly many within one class
• More diverse learners in the classroom
• There may be more disruptions and interruptions in teaching time
• Cooperation and collaboration needed with special education staff
• More structured/complicated classroom schedules because of pull-out times and other services
• Communication skills with other staff and parents will be utilized often
• Continued training will be needed in specific disabilities and special education strategies
• Attention needs to be spread between all students mindfully

Lawrence, Carissa (2016). Advantages & Disadvantages to Mainstreaming Special Education Children. Retrieved from http://oureverydaylife.com/advantages-disadvantages-mainstreaming-special-education-children-25659.html

Nović, S. (2012, February 21). Deaf School vs. Mainstreaming: Pros and Cons, Redeafined. Retrieved from http://www.redeafined.com/2012/02/deaf-school-vs-mainstreaming-pros-and.html

Perles, K. (2015). Mainstreaming and Inclusion: How Are They Different? Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusion-strategies/66813-the-differences-between-mainstreaming-and-inclusion/

Reynolds, T., Zupanick, C., & Dombeck, M. (2013, May 21). The Choice of Educational Settings: The Pros And Cons Of Mainstreaming Children With Intellectual Disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/the-choice-of-educational-settings-the-pros-and-cons-of-mainstreaming-children-with-intellectual-disabilities/

Tompkins, R. & Deloney, P. (1995). Inclusion: The Pros and Cons, Issues ...about Change, Volume 4, Number 3, Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues43/concerns.html

The Understood Team (2014, January 2). At a Glance: Which Laws Do What? Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/your-childs-rights/basics-about-childs-rights/at-a-glance-which-laws-do-what

The Understood Team (2014, June 27). The Difference Between IEPs and 504 Plans. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans

Wyoming Department of Education Special Programs Unit (2010). Reference Guide: Least Restrictive Environment. Retrieved from https://edu.wyoming.gov/downloads/special-ed/TAPD_LRE_Reference_Guide_2010FEB.pdf

What is Mainstreaming? Is it different from Inclusion?

The two terms are often used interchangeably. Check your state guidelines for clarification.

Inclusion

• extremely reduced curriculum requirements
• support team to assist student and teacher

Mainstreaming

• same or similar curriculum requirements
• little or no additional support

Important terms:

• FAPE - Free and Appropriate Public Education
• LRE - Least Restrictive Environment - usually interpreted to be the school closest to the student's home
• IEP - Individualized Education Plan - for special education students with a specific listed disability
• 504 Plan - an alternate education plan with a broader definition of qualifying disability