Inclusion

Web Site Review

http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/philosophy/benefits.html

The contact person for this Web Site is Dr. Sandra Alper, Department Head, Department of Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
(319) 273-6061

“The IDEA law requires that children with disabilities be educated in regular education classrooms unless the nature and severity of the disability is such that education in the regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.” From Inclusion Web Site

The main topics covered were the Philosophy, Legal Requirements, Decision-Making, Resources and Teacher Competencies.

Under Philosophy several thoughts were issued regarding maximizing the individuals growth and building a sense of community. Included were thoughts about the children with special needs, the general education, the teachers and society. Several different education specialists gave their thoughts regarding the Philosophy of inclusion.

The legal requirements were discussed in detail. The court cases and the 1997 Amendment to the (IDEA) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act were explained in depth.

Although Resources were listed, when I opened that site there were not many links that would open. I was disappointed in that fact.

Decision-Making had eight different topics covered under the general heading. Decisions When Adapting General Education, the Four-Step Approach for Team Decision-Making, Content/Behavior Strategies, What Does An Inclusive Classroom Look Like?, How to Generate Learning Supports, Nine Types of Adaptations, A Curricular Adaptation and Decision-Making Process, and Program Planning Steps for an Inclusive Education Program were topics that were covered. The most helpful information was obtained from this particular link.

There was also a link to help teachers get through the I.E.P. process.

This Web site was a good review for me and would be helpful for others not familiar with Special Education or with inclusion in the classroom.