Mendoza 1

Jose Mendoza

Thomas parker

Composition 2

June 10th, 2018

Benefits of including students with disabilities.

In the article ‘together we learn better: Inclusive schools benefit all children’ published

and written by inclusive school network. This article is an argument about the benefits of

including students with disabilities. Special education often segregates disabled students for

specialized instructions, which deprives students with disabilities valuable real-world

interactions.

In the Education system, there has been several changes dealing with individuals with

special needs. Students with special needs have the civil right to be included in mainstream

classrooms; they deserve access to the same education and opportunities granted to students

without disabilities. Congress recognized this fundamental right in 1975 by passing the

Education for All Handicapped Children Act, later revised and renamed to the Individuals with

Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004. (andrew m.i. lee). “As such effective models of

inclusive education not only benefit students with disabilities, but also create and environment in

which every student, including those who do not have disabilities, has the opportunity to

flourish.” (network). (andrew m.i. lee) With the inclusion of students with disabilities we can

learn and become better teachers. There is only so much we can learn from books, we learn when

we have hands on experience.

 Mendoza 2

The article argues that including special needs students to general education classrooms

will be of great benefit to special needs students and to those who don’t necessarily have a

disability. ““inclusion” does not mean simply mean the placement of student with disabilities in

general education in general education classes.” (network) When disabled students participate in

mainstream education, they are given an opportunity to part of society. I agree that the purpose

of this argument is achieved. Being included and treated like an equal person is a great feeling.

As a society we need to be alert of situations that involved education. Whether or not it

involves one of our own. Education and knowledge is a powerful tool. Anyone that has any

affiliation to someone with a disability is who this article is speaking to. Also, all education

institutes and faculty are another audience that this article is intended for. Now, there will be

people who have no interest in this topic like those who are not connected to anyone who has a

disability. Also, just because this topic is not about immigration, equality, or politics. This does

not mean we should ignore what students with special needs are facing.

This argument has some good logos appeals. “One of the most important principles of

inclusive education is that no two learners are alike, and so inclusive schools place great

importance on creating opportunities for students to learn and be assessed in a variety of ways”.

(network) The author describes how inclusive schools are prepared to teach in more than one

way. There are a range of learners and instructors need to be prepared to meet those needs.

Pathos is the appeal that is used in the article. Those who are involved with anyone with a

disability, are full of emotions. I know how it feels to be excluded and I can only imagine how it

must feel for the families of students with disabilities. “This consistency is essential for the
 Mendoza 3

success of students with emotional or behavioral disabilities in the general education

environment, but school-wide behavioral supports also help to establish high expectations

throughout the school community as a whole”. (network). The article explains what good

outcomes come out when everyone is included in school. There is power in unity and together

we learn better.

This author of his article uses ethos in their argument. In the text I comprehend that, the

author is writing with good intent. “this requires open and honest discussion about differences,

and an institutional respect for people of all backgrounds and abilities”. (network). In other

words, the author argues that in order to have inclusive education, they cannot forget to be

respect to other people’s belief. This reference also presents an argument that makes readers

aware of what is going on in our schools.

I think that including student with disabilities is a great argument. Another point that the

author makes is to have better academic support. “in this age of accountability and high-stakes

testing, it is important for educators to ensure that every student is addressing the appropriate

standard and objectives across the curriculum”. (network).This is an aspect that I think the author

should have focused more on. Inclusion is great and has great benefits, but I firmly believe that

students should be offered a great education.

The author’s inclusion aspects are good and in their defense that was their main idea for

their argument. Inclusive school network statements of inclusion of students with disabilities

works well in their article. “not only does that model of special education in a separate setting

deprive students with disabilities of interaction with their peers and full access to the curriculum,

it can also involve duplicate systems and a resource that are costly for schools to maintain”.

(network). I believe that, this is where the author’s argument can persuade. Throughout this
 Mendoza 4

argument the author points out how including disabled students can benefits schools and enrich

education.

Workscited

1. network, inclusive school. "together we learn better: inclusive schools benefit all children."
(2015).

2. andrew m.i. lee, j.d. "individuals with disabilities education act (idea:) what you need to know ."
(2018).