What’s the difference between inclusion and mainstreaming?
With mainstreaming, a child starts out in a segregated special education classroom and must “earn” his way into a general education class, based on his ability to keep up with his typical peers and his ability to function without special education instructional supports. This concept limits a disabled child’s full participation in the classroom community. With inclusion, a child will be in a general education classroom full-time and any needed special education services are brought to the child in that setting. While federal law does not require inclusion, it does require that a “significant effort” be made to find an inclusive placement, and that children with disabilities be educated “in the least restrictive environment.” These federal rules apply when a child enters the public education system. Discovery Learning Center classrooms already follow the inclusion model. We have Medicaid-approved, licensed private speech, occupational, and physical therapists ON SITE to provide physicia
