Do the presence of students with disabilities in the general education classroom affect students without disabilities

Research shows that the benefits of inclusive classrooms reach beyond academics. An environment that encourages young children’s social and emotional development will stimulate all aspects of their learning. Children in inclusive classrooms demonstrates increased acceptance and appreciation of diversity; develop better communication and social skills; slow greater development in moral and ethical principles; create warm and caring friendship; and demonstrate increased self-esteem ( National, 1997). Inclusion improves learning for both classified and non-classified students. When young children who have learning disabilities are included in regular classrooms without disabilities often do better academically. Teachers usually break instruction into small groups and repeat the directions to the benefit of both the disabled peers. Children learn to accept individual differences by having disabled students and non-disabled students interact with one another, which is a way that students overcome their misconceptions about their disabled peers (University, 2000). Children also develop new friendships; children with disabilities who are included in regular classrooms now have an opportunity to develop friendships with non disabled peers in their community. Parent participation of disabled students also improves when their children are integrated into regular classrooms because they are provided more opportunities to participate in their school and community. The benefits of inclusion go beyond the classroom. Both students benefit from their new relationships with one another. Additionally, parental involvement helps improve the quality of education for all students.

University of Michigan. (2000). Benefits of Inclusion. Retrieved Novemeber 1,2007, from
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.nadelson/benefits_of_inclusion


National association for the Education of Young Children. (1997). The Benefits of an Inclusive Education: Making It Work. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from http://kidsource.com/content3/inclusion.p.k.1.2.3.html