Schools Must Stop Ostracizing Kids With Special Needs

Recently, two boys in my class sat together reading aloud Chris Raschka’s children’s book Yo! Yes? The students alternated lines as if reading a play. "Yo," said Tayvon. "Yes," Kevin read back quietly.

I stopped and watched intently, amazed that in a different classroom this rich interaction might not have been possible. Kevin is a student on the autism spectrum, and until recently he was in a self-contained special education class.

Both he and Tayvon are contributing deeply to each other’s reading: Kevin helps Tayvon read challenging words, while Tayvon prompts Kevin to notice characters’ emotional cues.

Why Mixing Students With and Without Special Needs Is a Good Idea

Kevin and Tayvon were able to learn from each other because our school offers inclusion. Inclusive schools believe that students with disabilities should learn alongside their typically developing peers as much as possible.

Lauren McAlee

Full Story: http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/06/25/inclusion-classroom-schools-stop-ostracizing-kids-special-needs%20?cmpid=tpedu-eml-2013-06-25-testing