Mainstreaming in Schools on the Rise

Nowadays, you will find the mentally and physically challenged student in the same classroom with their peers much more often. This program in our schools is known as mainstreaming. Special education is still available, but the goal is for the majority of students and those with special needs to learn in the same classroom whenever possible. My goal here is to help parents understand the importance of mainstreaming.

In 1973, the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed. This act gives every child the right to education in the least restrictive environment. Students with medical and physical disabilities are protected, and given the right to a free public education. They may still receive special accommodations, but they do not receive special education unless they show the need. Mildly to moderate handicapped students began to be placed in a regular classroom, sometime only part time. It has been found that the student that has been mainstreamed into the regular classroom, and able to interact with their peers on the playground or in the hallways were able to build friendships and do better socially.

You will find several different levels of disabilities in the students that are mainstreamed into the classroom. Some disabilities are autism, deafness, blindness, mental retardation, speech impairment, orthotic impairment, etc. Most generally, the student with more severe disabilities is assigned a teacher's aide which assists the student while in the classroom with their work assignments. Some students may have different school work than his peers, depending on the child's level of cognizance. They may be working with shapes, colors, and texture while his peers are working on Math. At any rate, it is helpful to the child to be in a setting with other students to learn social skills.