Challenges to Inclusion

Author(s):  
Angela Chen

The expansion of inclusion practices has led to an increase in the integration of special education learners into general education classrooms. In order to meet the needs of all learners within inclusion classrooms, general and special education teachers must combine their respective teaching expertise. However, there are significant challenges to inclusion opportunities arising from a variety of sources. These major barriers to integration are described as environmental, knowledge-based, and relationship-based challenges. Examples of these challenges are discussed with respect to issues related to inclusion faced by both general and special education teachers.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
Eric Freeman ◽  
Bilal Fayiz Obeidat ◽  
Pamela Martin ◽  
Jennifer Sinclair

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to explore communication between participating school districts and the Cooperative with regard to the allocation of para-educators in general education classrooms. Methodology: The study employed a comparative qualitative design. Since the goal of our research is to understand the communication channels and patterns between the Cooperative, general education teachers, and para-educators, we conducted focus group discussions with para-educators, the K-5 general education teachers who work in general education classrooms and the special education teachers. Main Findings: The cooperative, special education teachers, general education teachers, and para-educators often operated in isolation of one another. Teachers and para-educators work together in the same classrooms but had a clear idea about who was providing the training and information needed to meet the needs of students in special education. Applications of the study: Frequent communication and enhanced opportunities for planning and training would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of general and special education teachers along with para-educators. Novelty: The study addressed ways to improve communication between participating school districts and the Cooperative with regard to the allocation of para-educators in general education classrooms. This would provide information about necessary training future para-educators need and expectations for engagement with students.


2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Eichinger ◽  
June Downing ◽  
Kelly Evans ◽  
Amy Feck ◽  
Robert Ike

As inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms becomes more common, it is important for special education teachers to have the necessary skills and competencies to meet the needs of a heterogeneous group of students, some of whom may have severe disabilities. Given this need, it is imperative that institutions of higher education have faculty who can prepare future special educators to be successful in inclusive environments. The purpose of this study was to examine advertisements in The Chronicle of Higher Education to determine the demand for faculty positions from 1991 to 1997, particularly those related to severe disabilities, inclusive practices, and cross-categorical teacher preparation. Results indicated that for all years except 1997, 8%-10% of the job advertisements were for positions in severe disabilities. Position announcements that designated expertise in severe disabilities and used an inclusionary term (mainstreaming, integration, or inclusion) increased from 5% to 35% and then decreased to 20%. Position announcements for jobs other than in severe disabilities that also specified an inclusionary term increased from 8% to 22%.


2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Dewey ◽  
Paul T. Sindelar ◽  
Elizabeth Bettini ◽  
Erling E. Boe ◽  
Michael S. Rosenberg ◽  
...  

Demand for special education teachers grew continuously from the passage of Public Law 94-142 in 1975 through 2005, when this trend reversed. From 2005 to 2012, the number of special education teachers employed by U.S. schools declined by >17%. The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine factors that contributed to this decline. We parsed change in number of special education teachers employed into four constituent elements and found that these recent reductions were fueled by decreases in disability prevalence and the relative ratio of teachers to students in special versus general education, which favored the latter. These changes have important implications for teacher preparation programs’ efforts to adequately prepare special and general educators and for policies designed to improve teacher quality.


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