Govenment and Access to Education through Inclusion (Essay Sample)

Inclusion in Education
Name
Institution
Inclusion in Education
Governments can only ensure that everyone has access to education through inclusion. Inclusion in education is a process whereby students with special needs are integrated with normal students. In the USA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 gives protection to individuals from discrimination because of a disability (Cortiella, 2009). A subsection of this US law protects students from this form of discrimination.
Inclusion in education is a rights based approach. It recognizes the right of a child to participate in school activities regardless of their ability status. The approach rejects the use of special classes or schools to divide disabled students with able bodied students (Schwarz, 2000). Schools that use this approach ignore the distinction between special education and general education. The education system is restructured in a way that allows students to learn together regardless of their ability status. Inclusion in special education means that a child with pronounced special needs is put in a mainstream school instead of a special school (Ainscow &Booth, 2003).
On the other hand, Exclusion is an educational approach where special schools or classes are designated for students with special needs. In this approach, all students with special needs are put together in a separate environment. Special teachers and methods are used to teach them. The role of exclusion in education is to offer the students with special needs, individualized attention using a special curriculum that addresses their needs (Kavale, 2002). Exclusion understands that there are some groups of students who experience unequal outcomes in the educational process due to various challenges. These students cannot learn at the same rate with other students because of these challenges. Therefore, they need to learn in a special environment that addresses their needs.
Those who support inclusion cite some benefits that non-disabled students can get if the disabled students are integrated within the mainstream educational setting. One of the benefits is that inclusion provides emotional help by creating a sense of belonging in the student (Fitzgerald & Doherty, 1999). Providing a learner with a sense of belonging is vital for excellence. Inclusive education is a solid and manageable method. It can be used in schools to make sure that a sense of belonging is a right and not a privilege. A sense of belonging makes the students who have disabilities to feel they belong to the true world and that is where they belong (Bowe, 2005).
Inclusion in education would ensure that Students with disability are not discriminated against. Since the teacher has to be careful and thorough when teaching inclusive class, other students benefit in the process. It also makes sure that all students get the directions instantly.