Educational Policies For Inclusive Education

Students use basic skills every day from looking at the clock to tell the time to handling money when paying and making change. Students who have jobs need to

Inclusive practice is about adapting what is being delivered to make learning accessible to everyone regardless of ability, special education need (SEN) or any other barrier that might exist. When planning to meet the needs of everyone in the group it is essential that the teacher has as much information about everyone as possible. (The City and Guilds textbook level 3 Award in Education and Training). Features of inclusive teaching and learning starts with knowing which learning styles your learners prefer, to do this you can use VARK (visual, aural, read/write and kinetic) test which was designed by Neil Fleming to help learners and teachers know what learning methods they are best suited to e.g. in the first lesson my tutor asked for us

In a contemporary Australian school setting, inclusion is the ongoing collaboration of all members of the school community to effectively meet the diverse needs of all students, including those with additional needs (Blackmore, 2009; Lyons, 2014). All students regardless of their cultural background or ability level should experience an enriching education where they feel included and supported. Creating inclusive cultures, producing inclusive policies and evolving inclusive practices are the best ways to promote learning and participation in schools for all students (Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education, 2012; Dempsey, 2014).

Inclusive practice in education moves us away from ‘integration’ and ‘mainstreaming’ of learners, which was mainly concerned with separating those with a disability or ‘special educational needs’ until they had reached the required standard for mainstream education. Inclusion is about the learner’s right to participate and the teacher/ institutions duty to accept the learner as an individual. Inclusion rejects the separation of learners with disabilities from learners without disabilities; instead it promotes equality and respect for their social, civil, human and educational rights. From what I can see there are few totally inclusive schools but those that are, restructure their curriculum so all can learn

When children and young people are able to participate fully, they will feel valued for who they are and the contribution that they make. This will also help them to develop a sense of identity and help them build up their self-esteem. Children should be able to make their own choices and have control of their own learning. Children and young people must also have the opportunity to become independent learners, which in return will give them a feeling of self-worth and well-being, and help them to achieve their full potential, since they will be more likely to be motivated. Promoting the rights of all children and young people to participate and having equal access and opportunities, will also help them to prepare themselves for adult life. Inclusion in education is one aspect of inclusion in society. Policies which promote equality and inclusion should give out a positive message and encourage an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Creating an inclusive learning environment is an extremely important aspect of modern education, which, according to Gravells (2008: p18), ensures that “[…] all learners are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. Everyone is an individual, with different experiences, abilities and needs.” She also offers a brief explanation of inclusivity (2008: p18), which is “[…] involving all learners in relevant activities rather than excluding them for any reason directly or indirectly.” Inclusion has also been defined by John Tomlinson (1996: p26) as “the greatest degree of match or fit between individual learning requirements and provision”. In the other words, inclusive learning environment nurtures individual potential of all learners,

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space, a better space for everyone” (Ministry of Education, 2009). Individuals arriving from all around the world are a testament to this idea as their presence identify Canada as a remarkably diverse country and a leader with one of the highest rates of immigration in the world. Diversity envelopes many elements including ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gender, race, socio-economic status along with physical and intellectual abilities, all which are visible throughout classrooms and communities across Canada (Ministry of Education, 2009).

Phillips, C. And Jenner `Inclusion at Bangebandhu Primary school` in Nind, M.j Sheehy, K.and Simmons.K (eds) Inclusive education: learners and learning contexts.London, David Fulton in association with The Open University.

Education is very important to anyone living in Canada it shapes you and molds you as a person. The school is an agent of socialization it teaches students at an young age school rules, conducts, dress codes and how to build relationships with teachers and peers. I believe the education system teaches students certain morals and values which they transmit onto the real world. Throughout the course, Inclusion, Disabilities and Education it has impacted my ideas about inclusion and I have learned that inclusion is a human right. Moran (2007) & Rioux & Pinto (2010) state “inclusive education of students with disabilities is a matter of human rights, whereby access to quality education is coupled with respect and equity in the learning environment”

Inclusion in classrooms is defined as combining students with disabilities and students without disabilities together in an educational environment. It provides all students with a better sense of belonging. They will enable friendships and evolve feelings of being a member of a diverse community (Bronson, 1999). Inclusion benefits students without disabilities by developing a sense of helping others and respecting other diverse people. By this, the students will build up an appreciation that everyone has unique yet wonderful abilities and personalities (Bronson, 1999). This will enhance their communication skills later in life. Inclusive classrooms provide students with disabilities a better education

The current state of inclusivity and diversity in a self-contained environment is equal and fair treatment for all students. The class population consists of eight male students. Six of the students are Caucasians while the other two students are African Americans. The students have varied disabilities to include autism, multiple disabilities, speech impairment, and intellectual disabilities. Each student receive instruction based on their instructional needs and each student has access to the resources that are available to them. Moreover, each student participates in two electives and join the general population for lunch.

Through my theoretical and small practical understanding of inclusive education I will be embracing the concept and practice of inclusion through the use of the term Curriculum Differentiation, which is all about arranging the classroom learning environment to be more suitable for students of all types, abilities and learning capacities to have the chance to reach their own individual maximum potentials (Carpenter, 2010). Through researching and learning about inclusion I have come to believe and agree with the statement of “Diversity not Deficit” when teaching in an inclusive school or classroom (Queensland Government, 2005). This statement reflects my own personal philosophy of inclusive education, as it pushes my strong belief that education is about not seeing any of the students, their families or the

“What does inclusive education mean for me as a teacher in 2014 and beyond? “

A lot of people do not agree with inclusion in classrooms. They say, “the disabled student might be disruptive” or “the other students might get upset when the teacher has to slow down for the disabled student.” All students have their right to an education, whether it be inclusive or not. If a student is disruptive, the teacher should be able to handle it. Although people think inclusion has many disadvantages, there are far more advantages and benefits for all students, teachers, families and even for communities. Since everyone can benefit from inclusion,  we as society should make schools and communities inclusive.

Inclusive education is concerned with the education and accommodation of ALL children in society, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, or linguistic deficits. Inclusion should also include children from disadvantaged groups, of all races and cultures as well as the gifted and the disabled (UNESCO, 2003). Inclusion tries to reduce exclusion within the education system by tackling, responding to and meeting the different needs of all learners (Booth, 1996). It involves changing the education system so that it can accommodate the unique styles and way of learning of each learner and ensure that there is quality education for all through the use of proper resources, suitable curricula, appropriate