Gutloff, K. (May, 1999). Inclusion confusion.(p. 4-6). NEA Today

In March 1999, the Department of Education released the final regulations
for implementing IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997. Using
a question and answer format, this article focuses on how these regulations
impact classroom discipline, paperwork and IEP (Individualized Education
Program) teams. One question asks, ìWhen does disruptive behavior by a
student with a disability need to be treated differently from disruptive
behavior committed by a general education student?î Answer, it depends on
whether the behavior is a result of the disability. For example, if a child
with Touretteís Syndrome suddenly shouts out in the middle of class, s/he
would be treated differently than a general education student. The behavior
is disability related.

The article appears in NEA Today and the questions and answers deal mostly
with the effect on teachers and not students. It would be interesting to
read an article on the same subject from a school district point of view. I
chose this article in contrast to my readings for our group project on
gifted children.

Questions related to the article.

1. How does the new IDEA affect the curriculum of the general education
students in the classroom?

2. If there are differences in discipline between students with disabilities
and general education students, how are these differences presented to the
classroom.

3. Is there any additional training available to classroom teachers to help
with the special needs of students with disabilities?

4. Conversely, are there any materials available for general education
students to help them assimilate students with disabilities into the
classroom?

5. Has there been any studies done to predict the affect on the classroom
achievement levels as a result of inclusion?

Submitted by Darrell Brown.

 
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