SPECIAL EDUCATION: MAINSTREAMING VS INCLUSION
Introduction
Although the terms “mainstreaming” and “inclusion” are used interchangeably in special education, they are actually two different programs designed for students with disabilities. Mainstreaming can be described as a program through which is a special needs child attends a regular classroom for their academic and social benefit. The students are usually expected to learn the same things as their peers, but with certain modifications in the curriculum and adjustments in the assessments. In addition, the children are expected to demonstrate improvement both in their social skills and academic performance. A mainstreamed child does not receive additional help in the classroom apart from the teacher and the modifications in the course. For instance, a child with dyslexia and has difficulties in reading and writing may be given much simpler reading and writing materials and simplified assignments.
Inclusion, on the other hand, refers to the process where children with disabilities are included in regular classrooms with the aim of improving their social skills and academic excellence. However, they are not required to learn the same curriculum as the rest of the class as they have …show more content…
Such education enables the child to learn how to live with other children as they are required to function in society together with their typically developing peers. Regular classrooms provide the children valuable opportunities to learn essential life skills, especially those concerning socialization. Mainstreaming also presents the special needs children with challenges, encouraging them to excel academically. Unlike in most special needs classes, regular classrooms present higher expectations, prompting the children with special needs to achieve higher
Introduction
Although the terms “mainstreaming” and “inclusion” are used interchangeably in special education, they are actually two different programs designed for students with disabilities. Mainstreaming can be described as a program through which is a special needs child attends a regular classroom for their academic and social benefit. The students are usually expected to learn the same things as their peers, but with certain modifications in the curriculum and adjustments in the assessments. In addition, the children are expected to demonstrate improvement both in their social skills and academic performance. A mainstreamed child does not receive additional help in the classroom apart from the teacher and the modifications in the course. For instance, a child with dyslexia and has difficulties in reading and writing may be given much simpler reading and writing materials and simplified assignments.
Inclusion, on the other hand, refers to the process where children with disabilities are included in regular classrooms with the aim of improving their social skills and academic excellence. However, they are not required to learn the same curriculum as the rest of the class as they have …show more content…
Such education enables the child to learn how to live with other children as they are required to function in society together with their typically developing peers. Regular classrooms provide the children valuable opportunities to learn essential life skills, especially those concerning socialization. Mainstreaming also presents the special needs children with challenges, encouraging them to excel academically. Unlike in most special needs classes, regular classrooms present higher expectations, prompting the children with special needs to achieve higher