Inclusive Education - Essay Example

Inclusive Education - Compare & Contrast Two Resources on Children w/ LD’s Opportunity to Participate in School Games - Name Subject / Course Date Table of Contents I. Introduction ……………………………………………………………… 3 II. Summary of the Two News Articles …………………………………. 4 III. Contrasting Models and Issues that were Discuss in the ‘Different Discourse’ ……………………………………………………. 4 IV. Discussion ……………………………………………………………….. 6 V. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………. 7 Annex I – Children with a Learning Disability Banned from UK School Games …………………………………………………. 8 Annex II – Gerry Sutcliffe and Mencap Gain School Games Concession .. 9 References ………………………………………………………………………. 10 Introduction The promotion of inclusive education throughout the United Kingdom requires a lot of necessary school restructuring and improvement particularly in the establishment of new school policies and practices in order to meet the individual learning needs of the students. (Booth et al., 2000) In general, the main purpose of promoting inclusion in education is to give equal educational opportunity to each child with or without learning difficulty. One of the main reasons for integrating the students with learning disability with the normal students is to minimize and prevent prejudice acts against those individuals who have special needs in learning. (The Inclusion Charter, 2008) It is also expected that desegregating the special education will be the first step in helping to change discriminatory attitudes towards the students with special needs. For the purpose of this study, the researcher will gather two news articles related to UK school games within the inclusive schools. In the process, the researcher will first summarize each of the two news articles followed by examining the contrasting models or issues that were discussed in the ‘different discourse’ used in the learning material. (See Unit 1, p. 41) Prior to the main discussion, the researcher will evaluate the two news articles and identify how each models show contrasting conceptual framework in relation to the promotion of diversity in school education. Summary of the Two News Articles The news article that was posted in Medical News Today back in August 24, 2007 is entitled ‘Children with a Learning Disability Banned from UK School Games’. This article announced that more than 300,000 children with learning disability will not be allowed to compete in the UK School Games. In the process, elite athletes with learning disability were excluded in joining the Paralympic Games. Because of the unfair treatment among the athletes with learning difficulty, Dr. Jo Williams – Chief Executive of Mencap stated that there is a need to remove the ban on the athletes with learning difficulty from the Paralympics. The second news article which was written by David Ord (2008) entitled ‘Gerry Sutcliffe and Mencap Gain School Games Concession’ reveals that Gerry Sutcliffe – the minister for sports end up supporting more than 300,000 children with learning disability to be given the chance to compete in the UK School Games. Basically, students with physical disability are already included in the school games but not those students with mental disability. According to Jo Williams – the charity’s chief executive, allowing the students with learning difficulty to have the opportunity to compete in the Paralympics by 2012. This major decision has been considered an important step in the promotion of inclusion and equality among the students. Contrasting Models and Issues that were Discuss in the ‘Different Discourse’ Based on the social model of disability, a child has to be valued by promoting diversity within inclusive schools. (Rieser, 2001: 139) Basically, the entire members of the society is involved in the model such that each one of us has a role to play in the promotion of diversity within the educational institutions. In general, the ‘discourse’ that was used in the learning material assumes that each student has the rights over certain basic needs related to health, education, and respect for the person among others. (See Unit 1, p. 41) In the case of the students with learning difficulty, the phrase ‘deficit discourse’ is used. The use of the word ‘deficit’ is subject to a lot of critics when it comes to inclusive education since the words used in describing the students with learning disability has a major impact over how other people see them and how they see themselves as a person. Similar to the first news article, students with learning disability were very much discriminated by not allowing them to participate in the school games. (Medical News Today, 2007) Based on unit 1 stating that “inclusive education involves learning from each other.” (p. 13) This statement is also applicable in the establishment and implementation of the policy with regards to UK school games. At first, students with learning difficulties were excluded in participating with the school games. (Medical News Today, 2007) After several key stakeholders such as Mencap and DRC Commissioner had effectively expressed their personal opinions and concerns with the issue on excluding the students with learning disability in UK school games, the minister for sports eventually supported the inclusion of students with learning difficulties in the school games five months after the action by Mencap. (Ord, 2008) Basically, the decision made to include the students with learning difficulties in UK school games is part of understanding the human rights of these students. (p. 28) For this reason, it is fair enough to allow the students with learning difficulties to be given the opportunity to be a part of the up-coming 2012 Paralympics which will be held in London. (Ord, 2008) Not allowing these students to be a part of the school game would mean violating the concept of inclusion which is to give equal opportunity to all students regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, or even learning disability. In reality, only those students with physical disability were allowed to be a part of the school games. (Ord, 2008) The fact that students with mental disability are still exluded in the school game means that the UK school games is still not fully justify the real meaning of inclusion. In relation to this matter, segregating some students with learning disability from certain school activities is one of the major factors that could lead to social discrimination. (Jordan & Goodey, 2002: 18) Isn’t the issue of preventing the students with mental disability to participate in the school games a sign of social discrimination among the minority students within the inclusive school? In the second news article, Jo Williams mentioned that the “decision made to include the students with physical disability to participate in the school games is an important step towards the promotion of inclusion and equality.” (Ord, 2008) There is a strong possibility that some students with a permanent arm or hand injury could be capable of running faster than students without any disability. For this reason, the statement made by Williams makes a lot of sense. Discussion The promotion of inclusion in education does not only requires the necessary process of reformation and restructuring of the school policies on a wide range of educational matters but also the provision of social opportunities to all students. (Mittler, 2000: 2) In general, part of the educational reformation is the restructuring of the school’s curriculum, assessment and recording method. On the other hand, provision of social opportunity to all can be extended to students through an active participation in sports, leisure and recreational activities. Even though the concept of educational inclusion is not really new (Daniels & Garner, 1999), there are still a lot of unresolved issues related to the opportunities given to students with learning difficulty. A good example related to this matter is the recent case of students with learning difficulty and the UK school games. (Ord, 2008; Medical News Today, 2007) Despite the fact that some conflicts arises along the way, independent groups working for the human rights of people with learning disability such as Mencap would continuously exert an effort in order to give these students an equal opportunity as being promised to be given by an inclusive school. Conclusion The main reason for promotion inclusive education in UK is to provide an equal learning opportunity to all children. As part of this project, inclusive schools are required to restructure their curriculum and teaching methods in such a way that it could address the specific learning needs of the normal students and those with learning disability. Aside from educational purposes, inclusive schools are also responsible in extending equal social opportunities to students with learning difficulty. As a result of fighting for the students with learning disability’s equal right to social inclusion, these students were recently given the chance to actively participate in UK school games. In the process, each of these students will also have the opportunity to compete in Paralympics by 2012. Annex I – Children with a Learning Disability Banned from UK School Games Main Category: Pediatrics / Childrens Health Also Included In: ADHD;  Autism;  Psychology / Psychiatry Article Date: 24 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PST Over 300,000 children with a learning disability are not allowed to compete in the UK School Games, due to take place in Coventry from 23 - 26 August. Elite athletes with a learning disability are currently excluded from the Paralympic Games and this has caused an unjust knock-on effect, preventing school children with a learning disability taking part in the UK School Games. The UK School Games were introduced in March 2006, with the intention of bringing together the most talented young sports people across the UK to compete in an environment designed to replicate the feel of major events such as the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Dame Jo Williams, Chief Executive, Mencap, said: "It is inexcusable that children with a learning disability are being discriminated against because of the Paralympic ruling for adults. We are actively seeking the removal of the ban on athletes with a learning disability from the Paralympics and we are optimistic the ban will be lifted after Beijing 2008. "We strongly urge the government to find a solution, so that children with a learning disability have the chance to compete in next years UK School Games." Philippa Russell, DRC Commissioner, said: "It is totally unacceptable that over 300,000 young people with a learning disability are excluded from the UK School Games. "My adult son with a learning disability benefited hugely from a range of inclusive sport programmes when he was a student. I want this generation of young people with learning disabilities to have the same opportunity." -- Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers. -- 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability. -- Learning disability affects someones intellectual and social development all their life. -- It is not mental illness. It is not dyslexia. -- It used to be called mental handicap but we dont use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive. -- People with a learning disability dont get an equal chance in life. Thats why we fight to change laws and services, and directly support thousands of people to live their lives the way they want. -- For information about learning disability issues please visit http://www.askmencap.info http://www.mencap.org.uk Annex II – Gerry Sutcliffe and Mencap Gain School Games Concession Posted: 31 January 2008 | Subscribe Online writer: David Ord More than 300,000 children with a learning disability will have the chance to compete in the UK School Games, following action by Mencap and support from minister for sport Gerry Sutcliffe. The Games, designed to replicate the feel of the Olympics and Paralympics, already include events for children with a physical disability, but those with a learning disability have been excluded until now. Mencap hopes that the changes will be in time for the 2008 Games, to be hosted by Bristol and Bath. Mencap, the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the Youth Sport Trust and the Equality and Human Rights Commission were all involved in the initiative. Paralympic campaign A campaign is now under way to allow athletes with a learning disability to compete in the Paralympics. The hope is that the current ban will be lifted in time for London 2012. The charity’s chief executive, Jo Williams (right), said: “This decision has opened up sport for children of all abilities and is an important step towards promoting inclusion and equality.” News Articles: Medical News Today. (2007, August 24). Retrieved April 6, 2008, from Children With A Learning Disability Banned From UK School Games: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80437.php Ord, D. (2008, January 31). Community Care. Retrieved April 6, 2008, from Gerry Sutcliffe and Mencap gain School Games concession: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/01/31/107138/school-games-2008-mencap-wins-learning-disabilities-inclusion.html References: Booth, T., Ainscow, M., Black-Hawkins, K., Vaughan, M., & Shaw, L. (2000). Index for Inclusion: Developing Learning and Participation in Schools. Bristol: CSIE. Daniels, H., & Garner, P. (1999). Open University. Retrieved April 6, 2008, from Inclusive Education. In Open Universitys unit E848_1 - Inclusive education: knowing what we mean: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/2083/formats/E848_1_rss.xml Jordan, L., & Goodey, C. (2002). Human Rights and School Change: the Newham story. Bristol: Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education. Mittler, P. (2000). Open University. Retrieved April 6, 2008, from Working Towards Inclusive Education: Social Contexts. In Open Universitys unit E848_1 - Inclusive education: knowing what we mean: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/2083/formats/E848_1_rss.xml Rieser, R. (2001). Open University. Retrieved April 6, 2008, from The Struggle for Inclusion: the Growth of a Movement. In Open Universitys unit E848_1 - Inclusive education: knowing what we mean: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/2083/formats/E848_1_rss.xml The Inclusion Charter. (2008). Retrieved April 6, 2008, from The Charters Six Points: http://inclusion.uwe.ac.uk/csie/charter.htm#frthexp1 Read More