History of Classroom Inclusion
The mistreatment of individuals with disabilities in the past was commonplace. Attitudes began to change with increased scientific understanding and democratic values. Special schools for the deaf and blind were developed. Disabled persons were seen as capable of learning. Conditions in institutions for the mentally ill and retarded became more humane. "The first federal laws of the United States designed to support individuals with disabilities were passed in 1798" (Bauer & Shae, 1999). During the nineteenth century, reformers pushed for new and more humane institutions. Many children especially those with severe or multiple disabilities were ignored. "Before the pas
Since World War II rapid changes occurred in student enrollment, teacher training programs and state support. In 1986 Madeline Will, Assistant Secretary of Education, promoted sharing responsibility for educating special education students. However, in 1975 there was a dramatic change with in implementation of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) and the mandate to teach those children in the least restrictive environment (Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2000). sage of the federal legislation mandating services for the students with disabilities, these individuals were routinely and legally excluded from school" (Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2000). "It has been shaped by federal law, the civil rights movement and related court cases, and changing social and political beliefs" (Friend & Bursuck, 1999). As a result of the IDEA, society has a better understanding of the disabled and was equipped to provide individual differences in school, at work and in social setting. "Inclusion is the integration of most students with disabilities into general education classes" (Friend & Bursuck, 1999). In 1997 amendments that clarified several legal issues also emphasized that students with disabilities would receive free quality education suited to their needs. The new trend was toward integration and making individuals lives as normal as possible (Bauer & Shae, 1999). Teamwork was encouraged between regular and special education personnel. In 1990, Congress amended the name of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Many twentieth century developments contributed to the advancement of special education. A national shift in philosophy emerged due to the return of wounded war veterans. Inclusion was referred to as the Regular Education Initiative (REI).
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