Inclusive classrooms

According to my current professor, the inclusive classroom was first used in Australia and as the U.S. started to adopt the concept, Oz was abandoning it. If anyone knows that this is true or false, I'd love to know.

Inclusive classrooms are classrooms which teach to all learning abilities. Specifically that means that students with learning disabilities, behavior issues, autism, physical handicaps, etc are taught in classrooms with general population (those without major learning issues) students. The theory says this is good for all involved. In a nutshell, the special needs students are not ostracized and normal-range learners become empathetic and helpful people.

Many school districts have become inclusive. But, the meaning of this program seems to differ from town to town. Some schools expect all students to be in the general ed. classroom 90% of the time, some 50% of the time (the rest of the time being in pull-out programs). Some schools have an even spread of special needs students in all classrooms at each grade level, some collect them into a couple classrooms at each grade level. Pull-out programs include specialized instruction in academics, social behavior, and occupational therapy (for example).

The problem is that the special learning rooms were abandoned. The trained staff were reduced and aids (like me) were pulled in. Aids are cheaper than spec. ed. instructors. Aids have far less training.

Sometimes students need more than this. They aren't being educated well. They are being maintained. They might even be disrupting learning for the rest of the class. There is no longer any quiet, constructive place for them to be taken when they need a break. Currently, I am shuffling between the OT room, the conference room, the gym, etc looking for a place for my student to unwind. Sometimes we never find the place and make do with a walk-about. Which doesn't really make do at all.

What is the solution? More money to support both in-class aids and structured special-needs learning centers? More money to hire specialized, trained, special education aids to assist full-time in class as a 1:1? Is the solution to go back to special ed schools, separate from the general population?

Or am I missing something?

mainstreaming of intellectually disabled children is the only viable alternative for rural parents.

Often it is the only respite care parents can get. Variouse systems have been tried Part time mainstream, part time specialist teacher . Some classes/activities are suitable for disabled children, some are not (pullout).
Aides are now a normal part of mainstream schools. often these aides (especially in rural areas) are untrained or undergo training as part of the job. Employment of Aides is determined by assesment of the child needs.


I think from what I have seen, dlowans suggestion of horses for courses seems to have evolved naturally from the initial mainstreaming push.
A plan is worked out that is mutually satisfying and appropriate for teachers, schools, parents, child and other students often by trial and error.

Private and Church run schools rarely have special needs children (he says cynically).

The problem is that the special learning rooms were abandoned. The trained staff were reduced and aids (like me) were pulled in. Aids are cheaper than spec. ed. instructors. Aids have far less training.

by now the kinks should have been worked out.