Mistake to keep pushing inclusion

Posted: Tuesday, May 9, 2006 1:00 am | Updated: 11:43 am, Wed Nov 25, 2009. To: The editor
From: Alexandra Logan
As another school year winds down, I am sad to say that Cecil County Public Schools is continuing their push with inclusion. Pretty soon, many children will be left behind. I cannot believe the school system truly feels that severe special needs students will benefit from the general education curriculum. What can they gain in algebra class when some cannot identify numbers 1 to 20 consistently?
What is so wrong with separate special education classrooms? These classrooms provide certain students with what they need. I do not see how regular education classrooms can do the same. Having a special needs student at the back or side of the class doing different work than their peers is not inclusion. It is a special education student in a regular education class.
General education classes are appropriate for many special needs children. I find that a positive concept and encourage the school system to look for these children. However, for those that it is not appropriate, do not push it on those students and their families. What about the regular education teachers? They did not go to school for special needs education. Do they want to deal with special education issues? What about the distractions the included students may cause? Is that fair to the non-special needs students?
Concerned parents should plan to attend the special education meeting on May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Elkton public library. Ask questions and state your opinion. Maybe something will change.