What is Inclusion?

     Inclusion is a term which expresses commitment to educating each and every child, to the maximum extent appropriate in order for them to access their grade level academic curriculum.  In an inclusive classroom support services and specialized instruction are brought directly to the students in the classroom.  An inclusion classroom is staffed with a regular education teacher and a special education teacher.  The two teachers work together to plan and implement differentiated lesson plans in order to meet the needs of all the students within the classroom.
     

           There are five basic teaching methods, or ways that curriculum are delivered to the students within an inclusion classroom.  The key to all of the methods listed below and to the success of the inclusion classroom is collaborative planning and the production of lesson plans that detail the responsibilities of each teacher and how instruction will be differentiated to meet each students individual needs.

• One teach, One Observe/Assist: in this method, one of the teachers handles the instruction while the other teacher circulates the class in order to make observations and or help individual students as necessary.
• Station Teaching: in this method, each teacher is responsible for a different part of the lesson.  Student will be provided instruction from each teacher in small group format.
• Parallel Teaching: In this method, the class is split in half and each teacher will teach the same lesson plan.
• Alternative Teaching: In this method, one of the teachers teaches the concept to the whole group, while the other teacher is responsible for instruction of a small group on a different lesson that is geared at their instructional level.
• Tag Team Teaching: In this method, both teachers plan and deliver instruction to the whole group.

      Inclusion benefits everyone, from children to parents, and the school staff.  Some of the benefits of having your child in an inclusion classroom include: 

• Classroom environment embraces communication skills
• More stimulating environment
• Differentiated and more individualized instruction
• Acceptance of individual differences
• Fosters leadership skills
• Encourages cooperative learning
• Access to additional instructional and technological resources
• Fosters parental involvement in the learning process