1、Mainstreaming Children with Disabilities: Is it in the Childs Best Interest?Jessica Smith11/2/2007IntroductionMainstreaming children with disabilities has always been a controversial subject in education. Some believe it benefits special needs children while others feel it harms them.We will look at

2、 the many advantages and disadvantages to mainstreaming children with disabilities.OverviewWe will discuss:What is Mainstreaming?What is the History of Mainstreaming in Schools?What are the Advantages of Mainstreaming?What are the Disadvantages of Mainstreaming?What are Other Alternatives?Helpful We

3、bsitesPrint ResourcesWhat is Mainstreaming?Mainstreaming is a term used to refer to a child with special needs that attends a regular classroom with students who are the childs own age.Mainstreaming means that the child is not isolated in a special class away from his/her peers but is included like

4、everyone else.What is the History of Mainstreaming in Schools?In 1975 the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was enacted. It was later to be named the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).In 2004 the IDEA was amended to require that children with disabilities be educated i

5、n the least restrictive environment to meet the childs special needs.IDEA recognizes that it may not be appropriate for all children to be placed in regular classrooms.What are the Advantages of Mainstreaming?Children with disabilities work alongside their non-disabled peers giving them access to ge

6、neral curriculum.Most disabled children respond better and work harder when expectations are raised.Children with disabilities tend to have greater academic achievement, their self esteem is higher, their probability of attending college is greater, and their overall physical health improves.What ar

7、e the Advantages of Mainstreaming?Mainstreaming children with disabilities promotes diversity and an overall acceptance.It allows children with disabilities to advance and become more motivated students.What are the Disadvantages of Mainstreaming?Those students that are mainstreamed feel self consci

8、ous or rejected by non-disabled students.Children with disabilities feel embarrassed by the additional help provided to them in the classroom.Children with disabilities may feel more comfortable in an environment where the same students are working together on the same level.What are the Disadvantag

9、es of Mainstreaming?Children that are mainstreamed may require more time and attention taking away from the needs of the rest of the class.Some children with disabilities may not combine well with other students depending on their disability.Teachers may not have the training or education to teach s

10、ome children with disabilities.General education standards may be lowered to the level of the least able student setting the entire class back.What are other Alternatives to Mainstreaming?Children with disabilities may attend a special school or inclusive school.Home schoolingWebsitesEzine Articles/

11、?Special-Education-and-Mainstreaming&id=69836This website contains articles about anything and everything. There is a category called Reference and Education that has articles about issues in education. The article I chose was “Special Education and Mainstreaming”.This article would be useful for te

12、achers and parents who would like more information about mainstreaming and special education.WebsitesAction Alliance for Children : Childrens Advocate/news/103spec.htmThis website contains information about childrens issues. There is a category called Special Needs Classroom where you can find infor

13、mation about special needs children and issues involving them.This article would be beneficial for parents who would like more information on the benefits of mainstreaming.WebsitesWikipedia/wiki/Special_educationThis website contains information commonly found in an encyclopedia. There is a section

14、just for Special Education that contains information about special education, criticisms, and abbreviations. This article would be helpful for parents who would like to know what mainstreaming is and how special education is provided.WebsitesWikipedia/wiki/Mainstreaming_in_educationThis website cont

15、ains information about the history of mainstreaming in schools, advantages and disadvantages to mainstreaming, and alternatives to mainstreaming in public schools.This article would be helpful to parents who want to know what options they have for their children and what advantages/disadvantages the

16、re are for mainstreaming special needs children.WebsitesSpecial Needs Families/blog/This website contains information about families and the issues they may face. There is a category just about mainstreaming and special needs children. The article I chose was “Mainstreaming: The Special Needs Child

17、Goes to School”.This article would be helpful for parents especially because it mainly deals with options for mainstreaming children and some helpful tips when helping your child have a better school experience.WebsitesOn WEAC: Wisconsin Education Association Council/resource/june96/speced.htmThis w

18、ebsite contains information about education and it encourages parental involvement. The article I chose was “Special Education Inclusion” and it is about inclusion in public school. It explains some words associated with special education and their definitions. This article would be helpful for pare

19、nts who are struggling to understand inclusion and what the federal law says about it.Print ResourcesOpen Forum: A Look at the Problem of Disproportionality Arkadelphia Siftings Herald NewspaperAuthor: Bill DownsThis article is about an interview with Dr. Peggy Woodall, director of Special Education

20、 for the Arkadelphia Public Schools. Dr. Woodall discusses special education students, inclusion, and a disproportionality problems.This article would be helpful for parents and teacher who would like more information about issues in special education.Print ResourcesHouston School Focuses on Special

21、 Needs StudentsHouston NewsAuthor: Rachel McNeillThis article is about a school in Houston, Texas that specializes in children with learning disabilities.This article would be helpful for parents who may be seeking other alternatives to mainstreamed classrooms in public schools.ConclusionMainstreami

22、ng children with disabilities appears to be a helpful way to teach children and promote a successful future.Mainstreaming, though, is not effective for every child.Parents should weigh the advantages and disadvantages and find a style of learning that will benefit their child the most.Reference Page

23、Gorski, K. (2005). Special Education and Mainstreaming. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from Ezine Articles Web site: /?Special-Education-and-Mainstreaming&id=69836Flores, K. (2007). Special Needs, “Mainstream” Classroom. Retrieved October 15, 2007, from Action Alliance for Children, Childrens Advocate Web site: /news/103spec.htmCrow, K. (2006). Mainstreaming: The Special Needs Child Goes to School. Retrieved Oct