por The inclusive education It is a teaching model that focuses on understanding and meeting the needs of all individuals equally, regardless of their differentiating characteristics. Thus, it tries to understand what each individual needs regardless of their sex, age, origin, ethnicity or culture.
Generally, inclusive education also places a special emphasis on helping students who are at higher risk of suffering from social exclusion or experiencing episodes of marginality. Within this group there are usually individuals from all kinds of minorities, people with disabilities or members of families with few economic resources.
One of the most important characteristics of inclusive education is that it understands that each student has needs, abilities, capacities and traits that make them different from the rest. Because of this, teachers have to be able to modify the content they teach and use personalized strategies to better help students.
On the other hand, inclusive education goes far beyond what is seen in the classroom on a day-to-day basis. Many experts believe that in order to really achieve the objectives proposed in this area, it is necessary to completely transform current education systems, removing barriers and encouraging the participation of students of all kinds.
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Principles of inclusive education
Inclusive education has a series of basic principles:
– Education is a right, not a privilege
One of the most important principles within inclusive education is that it considers that learning is a universal right, which must be fulfilled regardless of the characteristics of the person. In this way, the systems that are governed according to this point of view try to guarantee education to all individuals.
Generally, this produces a series of consequences, such as the fact that public education is favored over private education. In addition, it also seeks to adapt the educational system in such a way that students receive the best possible education, and absolutely all people are accepted regardless of their characteristics.
– All children should have the same opportunities
On the other hand, inclusive education considers that a truly fair system is one that takes into account the differences of each student and tries to provide all of them with the help they need to achieve a minimum level of learning. In this way, it is a flexible educational model focused on achieving equality.
In practice, this generally translates into an increase in aid for students who have the most difficulties, such as those with some type of disability or who have serious problems following the normal rhythm of the class.
On the other hand, they also try to get the most advanced students to collaborate with those who have more problems.
– Education must be adapted to each student
As we have already seen, inclusive education focuses on allowing all students to reach minimum levels of knowledge that are considered essential for the development of a normal life. However, not all students have the same facilities to reach them.
As a consequence, a truly inclusive education will have to be able to adapt to the particular conditions of each student to allow them to reach the minimum level required with the greatest guarantees. This can mean many different things depending on the specific needs of each student.
For example, in the case of a student with an intellectual disability, it will probably imply the appointment of a support teacher who allows them to work at their own pace and in a more personalized way. In the case of a foreign student, for example, help will be provided when acquiring the language in which the classes are being taught.
– It is necessary to protect students at risk of exclusion
Finally, in many cases inclusive education goes far beyond helping students to achieve minimum levels of learning. On most occasions, professionals in this field also try to solve not only educational problems but also provide students with the resources they need to function in their day-to-day lives.
Generally, teachers who follow an inclusive education model collaborate with other sectors such as social services, seeking to help students who are at greater risk of exclusion for reasons such as low purchasing power or belonging to a minority.
Characteristics of inclusive schools
Schools that are governed by the principles of inclusive education are usually based on a series of principles that guide their daily activity. Although each school works in a slightly different way, in most cases their characteristics are very similar:
– In these schools, access is allowed to all types of students, regardless of their characteristics or personal circumstances.
– They seek to increase the quality of life of children in all areas, and not only at the level of learning.
– Teachers have the role of guide and support, instead of dedicating themselves simply to transmitting knowledge in master classes.
– Schools based on inclusive education see the child as an autonomous and capable person, who can achieve his own transformation.
– The aim is to encourage students’ critical thinking and allow them to develop their own ideas while accepting those that are different.
– Teachers must assess student performance not only based on their academic results, but also on other factors such as their abilities or overall progress.
Activities to promote inclusive education
– Discussions
One of the fundamental tools of inclusive education are debates, since they allow students to be exposed to ideas different from their own and understand the points of view of other students.
– Individual guidance
In most inclusive schools, students who need it receive individual counseling sessions to help them in the aspects of their lives in which they have the most problems. Generally, counselors are in charge of this task, but internal teachers or psychologists can also do it.
– Learning by discovery
Most tasks in inclusive schools are based on more experiential activities than can be found in normal schools. Thus, students are encouraged to explore the world on their own and seek their own answers to the questions that arise.
References
“What does inclusive education mean?” In: Inclusive Education. Retrieved on: July 02, 2020 from Inclusive Education: inclusioneducativa.org.
“What is inclusive education and why is it important?” In: Educate. Retrieved on: July 02, 2020 from Educo: educo.org.
“What is inclusive education?” In: WebMD. Retrieved on: July 02, 2020 from WebMD: webmd.com.
«Inclusive school: 10 characteristics» in: Double Team. Retrieved on: July 02, 2020 from Double Team: dobleequipovalencia.com.
«Inclusive education» in: Wikipedia. Retrieved on: July 02, 2020 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org.