What can be done to help parents deal more effectively with inclusive education?
Welcoming parents into a classroom and school is vital to having them be part of the team for inclusive education. Parents of students with disabilities are often the driving force behind the push for inclusive education. Parent education is the other key to help parents who may question the academic validity of inclusive education. Some parents may think their children will not make the same academic gains in an inclusive setting as students in a rigorous academic clas s. Susan Etschedit (UNI) states research shows the opposite is true. ” Not only are all students making strong academic gains, but the literature clearly documents social, interpersonal, and personal gains. An inclusive setting not only does not detr act from the usual education program, but it enriches the educational environment for all children. We have empirical research to validate this information and, more importantly, teacher testimony to tell us how inclusive education works.” While many parents may not like an
