Running head: IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSION 1

Importance of Inclusion, Modifications, and Accommodations

Julie Estep

Fresno Pacific University

IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSION 2

Importance of Inclusion, Modifications, and Accommodations

Inclusion is a great way for students with disabilities to learn alongside their peers who

do not have any disabilities. Accommodations and modifications are created for students with

disabilities so that they can participate in a general education class. These can be extremely

beneficial to the students educational journey. The way a student with disabilities can acquire

these benefits is by having them listed in their IEPs. According to the Individuals with

Disabilities Act (IDEA), students with special needs are required by law to have an

individualized education program (IEP). An Individualized education program is designed

specifically to help children with special needs succeed and grow in their learning environment.

An IEP is specifically designed to cater to a special needs students unique needs. Through an

IEP process assessments are conducted with the student to determine any individual

accommodations and/or modifications a student may need in order to learn or succeed.

Accommodations and modifications are detrimental to a special needs students academic

career. An IEP team, which is comprised of at least one general education teacher, one special

needs teacher, a parent guardian, and school administrator, assemble to make sure that special

needs students are involved in general education curriculum. If the child is in need of inclusion it

will be stated in their academic plan and implemented into the childs academic routine. The,

IDEA requires each students IEP to state how the student will be involved with and progress in

the general education curriculum, how the students progress will be assessed, and how state-

and district wide assessments will be modified (as appropriate) for the student (Turnbull, A.,

Turnbull, R., Wehmeyer, M., Shogren, K., 2013, p. 33). Accommodations and modifications are

made to help a special needs student flourish in their learning environment.

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Accommodation and modification are two very different things. To accommodate a

student is making a change to how they learn. To make a modification for a student is making a

change to what they are learning. For example, having a visually impaired student move to a seat

in the front of the classroom in order to see the white board more clearly for a lesson is an

accommodation. An example of a modification is teaching a student math at a level they can

understand even if it is lower than their current grade level that they are enrolled in.

In order for a student to succeed in any learning environment their individual needs must

be met. Students who need these accommodations and modifications to thrive in their academics

must have consistency. The main goal for a student with special needs is inclusion. This goal is

can only be met if there is cooperation from a general education teacher and the special

education teacher. They must work together and make sure they can create a healthy and

prosperous classroom atmosphere in the general education class where the inclusion is taking

place.

Every special education student has a right to a fair and proper education. The only

difference between a general education students academic paths compared to that of a student

with special needs is he/she may need different accommodations and modifications to help them

succeed. Special needs students are still people, and I believe that as a Christian it is my duty and

the worlds duty to take care of students with different needs and make sure inclusion takes place

in their academic life. If I were born with any type of special needs I would hope that my

teachers at my school would not give up on me. I would hope that I was not left behind. It is very

common for students with special needs to be forgotten and not given the proper education they

deserve.
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It all goes back to what would Jesus do? As a teacher would Jesus sit around and let each

day go by without helping his students? Would Jesus help his students and teach them the things

they need to know? Would Jesus accommodate and modify his daily lessons to fit the needs of

his students and children who need a little extra help? The answer is yes. Jesus would not let his

students miss out on learning just because they needed extra help. No, he would make sure he

took the time to accommodate or modify his teachings so that his students would learn. Jesus

would take time to make sure no child was left behind or left out.
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Reference

Turnbull, A, Turnbull, R, Wehmeyer, M., Shogren, K. (2013). Exceptional Lives (8th Ed.).

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.