It is difficult to ignore the social stigma that coincides with special education. Students with disabilities are forced to face this stigma each day they attend school. While school can be challenging for exceptional children, the inclusion classroom helps to integrate them socially. Social integration provides unique interactive opportunities, allowing students with disabilities to develop socially. The inclusive classroom allows students to form valuable friendships that may not have otherwise occurred.
Many teachers and parents often consider whether exceptional children can perform in a traditional setting. To increase achievement levels, both regular and exceptional children’s teachers often collaborate to create the most effective teaching strategies for students. Teachers also hold higher expectations in a traditional setting, challenging both nondisabled and exceptional students to meet the same expectations, resulting in improved performance.
The inclusion classroom benefits nondisabled students as well as students with disabilities. In the inclusion setting, nondisabled students are often viewed as social and academic role models. Nondisabled students have the opportunity to assist those who need help learning difficult information, resulting in higher academic achievement for all students. Nondisabled students also learn how to collaborate with students of various abilities, a skill that can help them as they mature.
Students who are taught in an inclusive setting are more likely to accept diversity. Attending classes with diverse populations helps students learn how to communicate effectively. As students learn to appreciate others with diverse backgrounds, they are more likely to continue studying and working with diverse populations.
The inclusion classroom can have a positive effect on parents as well as students. Parents with exceptional students in a traditional setting often interact with more parents within the school community, allowing them to build helpful relationships. Having this exposure provides the opportunity to have more discussions regarding their student’s learning and development, resulting in increased awareness and advocacy.