mainstreaming vs Inclusion

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Home : 2004 : May : 12

mainstreaming vs Inclusion
By Patti

I was identified in the 3rd grade as having a LD. I struggled all the way through school, getting some academic support in a variety of settings, self-contained class, resource rooms, LD school and mainstreaming in HS.
I
agree that there are many problems with inclusion...forget the artifical environment, it is really hard on the kid, the teacher and the rest of the class. The kid is struggling to stay caught up and becomes frustrated and may begin acting out. The teacher spends any spare time modifying assignments because the SPED teacher is too busy, the class suffers because in spite of the teacher's

best effort instruction slows down. What is the answer? I'm not sure. But Inclusion was introduced as a way to get the higher functioning SPED students back into regular classes. Now it is a cost cutting way to comfort ourselves by telling ourselves that "it is good for their self-esteem" Give me a break. The constant feeling of stupidity does not increase one's self'esteem.
As for mainstreaming in college, I had modifications like electronic speller and extended time on exams and on NTE exams, but most modification other non-LD students used, like tape recorders. I've taught for upwards of 10 years, in SPED, preschool and regular ed. Without a doubt the most difficult has been regular ed with no SPED support becuase of "inclusion"...because it isa time issue. Only so many hours in a day, extra ones are eaten up by having to provide own modifcation.s