scholarly journals Are Inclusive Education or Special Education Programs More Likely to Result in Inclusion Post-School?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
Garry Hornby

The main goal of both special education and inclusive education for young people with learning or behavioral difficulties is their maximum inclusion in the community as adults. The question of which of these two approaches is more likely to achieve this goal is addressed by considering the findings of three outcome studies of young people with moderate to severe levels of learning or behavioral difficulties who experienced either option, or some combination of the two. The overall findings indicate that students who left school from a special education setting had better outcomes than those who completed their education in mainstream schools. This is considered to be due to the vocational curriculum and work experience they gained in their final years of special education, which those in mainstream schools did not receive. This suggests that a policy of full inclusion, with the closure of special classes and special schools, will result in less inclusion in their communities post-school for young people with moderate to severe levels of learning or behavioral difficulties.

1994 ◽  
Vol 75 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1519-1522
Author(s):  
Sakari Moberg ◽  
Marshall Zumberg

The movement to integrate special education students into normal school classes started to develop in Finland in the 1960s. At the same time, the number of students labeled “special” in the Finnish comprehensive school system exploded from 2% to 17% of all school children. Presently, 84% of all special education placements are part-time placements. Special schools and special classes comprise 15% of all special education placements, while full inclusion is only 1% of all special education placements. Some factors affecting the current integration of special students and the development of integration are discussed.


Author(s):  
Chris Forlin ◽  
Dianne Chambers

Special education has undergone continued transformation since societies began to provide an increasing number of specialized, segregated facilities for children with like needs during the 20th century. Since then, there has been a worldwide movement against a segregated approach and toward greater inclusion of students with disabilities into regular schools. The provision of a dual special education and regular school system, nevertheless, remains in existence, even though there has been a strong emphasis on a more inclusive approach since the latter half of the 20th century. As regular schools become more inclusive and teachers more capable of providing appropriate modifications for most students with learning needs, simultaneously there has been an increase in the number of students whose needs are so severe that schools have not been able to accommodate them. While these children and youth have special needs, they are invariably not related to an identified disability but fall more into a category of diversity. In particular, students who are excluded from schools due to severe infringements, those who are disenfranchised from school and refuse to attend, and those with severe emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues are not being serviced by the existing dual system. For these students neither existing special schools that cater to students with disabilities nor regular inclusive schools provide an appropriate education. The provision of a complementary and alternatively focused education to cater to the specific needs of these marginalized students seems to be developing to ensure sustainability of education and to prepare these new groups of students for inclusion into society upon leaving school. This tripartite approach highlights a new era in the movement toward a sustainable, inclusive education system that caters to the needs of all students and specifically those with the most challenging and diverse requirements.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathryn G. Riggs ◽  
Cathryn G. Riggs

A growing number of paraeducators are employed in America's schools. Paraeducators are valuable members of the education team, especially as some districts face a growing shortage of certified special education teachers and others struggle to address issues relating to inclusive education programs. This article focuses on describing what building administrators can do to support paraeducator staff, particularly those who are employed to facilitate inclusive instruction. A brief overview of the changing roles of paraeducators is followed by a definition of “administrative support” in terms of the importance of responsibilities, relationships and respect. A list of ten specific suggestions for providing administrative support for paraeducators at the school building level is supplied.


Author(s):  
Cammy Romanuck Murphy

Principals and assistant principals, collectively referred to as<em> school leaders</em>, play instrumental roles in ensuring the success of inclusive special education in the schools they oversee. However, school leaders continually report they lack the knowledge and skills to effectively oversee quality inclusive special education programs. There are very few training programs available to school leaders that focus on leading inclusive special education programs. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide school leaders with nine tips, along with 11 immediately implementable practical strategies, to improve upon the inclusive special education programs in their schools. Topics include pertinent definitions, laws, and concepts associated with inclusion; models of coteaching; transformational leadership theory and traits; roles and responsibilities of school leaders in inclusive education programs; and practical strategies to implement to improve upon current inclusive education practices. This article is designed to be used with emerging, new, and experienced school leaders.


1988 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Okolo ◽  
Patricia Sitlington

Despite increasing interest in the transition of handicapped youth from school to postsecondary training and employment, available data indicate that few secondary-school special education programs provide relevant services. This article gives a rationale for and a delineation of the types of services which can facilitate the transition process for learning disabled (LD) adolescents. First, the authors review recent studies of LD individuals' vocational adjustment and identify the skills needed for successful transition to the world of work. Current practices in secondary special education and vocational education are then discussed. The authors conclude that secondary special education programs should provide six types of vocationally relevant activities: (a) occupational awareness, exploration, and basic work experience; (b) indepth career/vocational assessment; (c) instruction in job-related academic skills; (d) instruction in job-related interpersonal skills; (e) support services to other disciplines involved in vocational programming; and (f) post-school placement and follow-up. Finally, recommendations for personnel preparation and future research are suggested.


1986 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia M. Okolo ◽  
Patricia Sitlington

Despite increasing interest in the transition of handicapped youth from school to postsecondary training and employment, available data indicate that few secondary-school special education programs provide relevant services. This article gives a rationale for and a delineation of the types of services which can facilitate the transition process for learning disabled (LD) adolescents. First, the authors review recent studies of LD individuals' vocational adjustment and identify the skills needed for successful transition to the world of work. Current practices in secondary special education and vocational education are then discussed. The authors conclude that secondary special education programs should provide six types of vocationally relevant activities: (a) occupational awareness, exploration, and basic work experience; (b) indepth career/vocational assessment; (c) instruction in job-related academic skills; (d) instruction in job-related interpersonal skills; (e) support services to other disciplines involved in vocational programming; and (f) post-school placement and follow-up. Finally, recommendations for personnel preparation and future research are suggested.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.36) ◽  
pp. 1020
Author(s):  
O. G. Savka ◽  
E. V. Milkina

 The present article addresses the issue of importance of inclusive education in higher education institutions with statistical data on students with disabilities undergoing training. In this article the problems of university readiness for implementation of inclusive education of young people with disabilities are analyzed; and the legal, educational and systemic aspects of special education are investigated.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina S. Lappa ◽  
Constantinos N. Mantzikos

<p>Few studies have been conducted in Greece focusing on the inclusion of pupils with Intellectual Disability (ID) in general classes. The aim of this quantitative study was to explore the attitudes of Special Education Teachers (SETs or SET) towards the inclusion of pupils with ID in general classes. A structured questionnaire was sent out. It consisted of 10 demographic questions and of 6 structured closed-ended questions about the inclusion of this group of pupils in general classes, using a 5-point Likert scale. The study sample consisted of 150 SETs [129 (86%) females and 21 (14%) males]. The questionnaire data were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS version 21). The results of the research showed that the majority of SETs had a positive attitude towards the fact that the special and general education teacher should jointly adapt the classroom according to the needs of the pupil with ID and that inclusive education is appropriate for these pupils. The SETs had a neutral to positive attitude about whether pupils with ID should be educated in general settings with pupils without disabilities and whether they should be removed less frequently from general education settings in order to be given more help with their difficulties. Finally, there were some dependent variables that played a major role in participants' responses, such as education, work experience, work and the structure of employment. In conclusion, SETs point out that they are in favour of the inclusion of pupils with ID. Finally, the results of the study are discussed. </p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0993/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Cammy D. Romanuck Murphy

<p><em>Educational leaders, including principals and district leaders, are the primary special education leaders in public schools today. They are ultimately responsible for the successful implementation of inclusive special education programs, as outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004). Yet, educational leaders continually report they lack the knowledge and skills to effectively oversee inclusive education programs. The research that examines the perceptions, roles, and responsibilities of educational leaders related to inclusive education programs is extremely limited. Therefore, guided by transformational leadership theory, this qualitative case study explores the perceptions, roles, responsibilities of school and district leaders who oversee successful inclusive education programs. The findings suggested that educational leaders value the philosophy of inclusion. The predominant themes that arose were culture, collaboration, limited staff, purposeful inclusion, consideration of individual needs, acceptance, relationships, appreciation of diversity, and student learning. Educational leaders described their role in inclusive education programs as collaborators, problem solvers, professional developers, and facilitators. The findings from this study can serve as a basis for discussion regarding the strengths and needs of current practices for inclusive education. These discussions can be utilized to analyze current strengths, and potential needs for refinement of practices, policies, and procedures.</em></p>


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document