Inclusion vs. mainstreaming

Notes from the Spring 2007 CSUMB Special Education 560 class on introduction to special education from January 27, 2007 with Dr. Leilani Saez:


Inclusion means that a special education student is in the general education class because all students can learn in the class with supports. It is also called the push-in model.


Mainstreaming means that a special education student is in the general education class when the class's content is relevant to the student's academic and emotional abilities.


Pull-out means that a special education student is not in general education because of his academic or behavioral needs.

Article on how to differentiate instruction

This concise and clear article at the helpful site Teachers Network outlines beginning concepts to take when differentiating instruction. I could see these steps as useful for a Special Educator working with varying student needs in his or her classroom or for a General Educator including a Special Needs student in the general classroom. The concepts are:

• Content: what is taught
• Process: how students understand what is taught
• Product: how students demonstrate understanding
• Affect: how students feel in the classroom