What is inclusion? The legislation might indicate that inclusion is simply the provision of education for all children within the same location, i.e. the same school building. Armstrong et al (2000) in Moran and Abbot (2001, p1) has defined inclusion as “arrangements which increase participation or contact between a disabled pupil or pupils in some form of segregated provision and those in mainstream educational settings”. Ainscow (1999)in Dyson & Millward (2000, ch2) has also said there is evidence to show that “Inclusion is often seen as simply involving the movement of pupils from special to mainstream contexts.” However, many educationalists have argued that having all children together within a school, or even a class, does not necessarily make it inclusive. Another definition of inclusive from Bailey (1998) in Clark et al (1998) is that it refers to any group of students who may, for whatever reason, have been identified as different and/or may have been discriminated against in terms of access to educational opportunities or to equity of educational treatment and/or outcomes. Supporters of ‘full’ inclusion, i.e. those who believe all children should receive all of their education with their peers at all times, believe that there should be an end to any segregated ‘special’ education. (CSIE 2003) They advocate bringing the necessary learning resources 2 into the classroom and making changes within the organisation of the classroom. Tilstone et al (2000, ch3) says that an inclusive school should be about identifying pupil levels of development etc. and not about seeking out specific difficulties. Therefore inclusion can mean different things to different people. Dyson & Millward (2000 ch1) believe that it is determined by the history, culture and politics of the particular system in which it is being applied. More recently there has been much argument that the focus of inclusion on disability is too narrow and that it should also include those at a disadvantage through poverty, marginalisation and social exclusion. (Wearmouth 2001, ch1)
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 06:57:09 +0000
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