Among the academic programs, mainstreaming and inclusion are two of them. They are specially meant for IEP students, in which Individualized Education Program is the abbreviation for IEP. It is one of the legal documents which describes a specific required education program.
In comparison to exclusion, practices mainstreaming has shown more effective academically Oftentimes students have certain supports that they bring to the classroom of general education. The most common support is to bring aid one-on-one to assist them. Some other equipment might be tools from their classroom of special education that assist them to keep up with demand to the classroom of general education.
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion is a version wherein most of the time of special needs students is spent with students who require no special needs. When it comes to special education, the program of individualized education or simply the 504 plan arises with it. The aim is for special needs students to acquire mixed experiences for becoming successful.
Main Differences Between Mainstreaming and Inclusion
- To participate in a classroom of general education a set of criteria must be met by a student in mainstreaming. Meanwhile, in inclusion regardless of student ability, it can participate in a classroom of general education.
- Extra support is given to some learners in mainstreaming to fit into the normal classroom. On the flip side, to meet the full range of learning the support to educators, learners, and the system as a whole is given in the inclusion.
- To work with the existing curriculum in mainstreaming, the student must demonstrate ability. On the other hand, the curriculum is modified and adapted to meet the student’s need for inclusion.
- Mainstreaming works as a supplement in special education to the primary placement where particular academic and social opportunities are targeted. In contrast, inclusion is a philosophy in which setting up general education is the primary learning environment.
- When the students do not need distinctively designed instructions then in mainstreaming, they bring them into the general classroom. But general education classes in inclusion are structured to meet all the student’s needs.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that both mainstreaming and inclusion are two of the academic programs. They are specially meant for IEP students and are no more just a courtesy provided by the school but become mandatory in school. Mainstreaming includes special education teachers, whereas inclusion includes the general teacher.
Mainstreaming fits learners into a specific type of system or simply integrates learners into the existing system. Meanwhile, inclusion is about respecting and recognizing the learners’ differences by building on the similarities. The main focus of mainstreaming is on the learner, while inclusion focuses on the adoption and support system accessible in the classroom.
References
- https://academic.oup.com/sp/article-abstract/12/3/433/1679271