When special education students are educated in regular classrooms, they have increased chances for socialization. This socialization benefits all students, not just those with disabilities. They will learn to work together, accept differences and respect diversity. Including special education students in general education classrooms gives them the opportunity to form friendships with non-disabled peers, which is beneficial for all students.
Many inclusion classes have two teachers -- a regular education instructor and a special education or co-teacher. Both teachers assist all students in reaching their learning goals. The class may be taught as one large group or broken up for small-group instruction. The School Psychologist Files website, a special education resource, mentions that, struggling students who are not qualified for special education services often benefit from the additional support and small-group instruction found in inclusion classes. Students who achieve at higher levels might become extra "helpers" in the classroom and assist or tutor their classmates.
In an inclusive classroom, all students are expected to learn and participate in class. With proper support from both regular and special education teachers, students with special needs can thrive in settings where they are held to expectations similar to their peers. Although all students learn in different ways and at various rates, they should participate and be held accountable based on their individual educational needs.
Using the inclusion model ensures that all students have access to the same curriculum, no matter what their disability might be. A federal law -- the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -- mandates that disabled students be educated in the "lease restrictive environment." Attending the same classes as their peers helps special needs students feel like they are part of the school community. Children learn that the classroom is a place where everyone is welcome -- that those who might be different should not be separated. This type of classroom gives special education students a sense of equality and belonging.