History of Inclusion
How did we get to where we are today with inclusive education? There are many different answers to this question. Depending upon the era that you examine you will discover how we arrived at this point in special education. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that inclusive education is where it is today because of a series of movements, policies, and laws that have been implemented in order to ensure the needs of each and every child. Meeting the educational needs of all children is of utmost importance and is the cornerstone of education. In this first discussion forum, you will learn about the history of inclusion.
To prepare for this discussion,
- Please refer to the Week One Guidance for further tips and examples that will support your success on this discussion.
- Read textbook Chapter 1: What is Special Education?
- Read Special Education Trends (Links to an external site.).
In your post,
- Describe the movement towards inclusive education, including historical policies and laws, and their relationship to effective teaching.
- Examine how policies and laws have influenced current trends for inclusive environments.
- Explain how understanding the history of inclusion will allow you to better meet the needs of the diverse learners you support.
Solution Preview
One of the central principles of education in the United States is diversity and inclusion. In practice, this entails the inclusion of persons who are different from the majority in the learning environment. In the past, the differently abled learners were the source of shame and guilt within their families. The differently abled people have been an oppressed minority group that has been left in an impoverished state for decades. In the 19th century, the differently abled people were considered tragic and unable to contribute to the society. Even in the 20th century, millions of disabled students were excluded from the public education system.
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