Inclusion in the classroom allows disabled students to learn at the same rate as their non-disabled peers. Without inclusion, students are segregated and are left out. One of the largest controversies schools face today is the inclusion of students with special needs into general education classes. It is often questioned by administrators, staff, and parents whether there is truly an academic effect on special needs students being placed into general education classes. Inclusion provides students with fairness by helping them hands-on with the amenities and accommodations they need to succeed, whereas segregated classes are unable to do so. Inclusion into general education classes are meant to address each students' unique strengths and weaknesses as well as respecting and learning from each other's' individual differences.
Inclusion in a school ensures there are no students that feel left out; special needs students feel accepted and part of the class. Students learn to work well with each other and accept their differences and learn to accept everyone for who they are; being able to work well and accept everyone is a very important lesson that children need to learn at an early age. "The achievement of students without disabilities is not compromised by the presence of students with disabilities in their classrooms" (Jorgensen, 2011). A classroom community consists of students, staff, and others who share in the responsibilities in that community where everyone is accepted as they are and differences are not ignored, but embraced and used as learning tools. Many times, students with special needs have difficulty making friends and being part of the community which is why inclusion should be brought to more schools.
The point of placing disabled students in mainstream classes is so they all learn together. The advantages of inclusion in the classroom by mixing special needs students , has been well documented, whereas students with special needs who remain in segregated classes fall further behind academically and socially.
