Debate Handout - Integrated/inclusive educational experiences for students with disabilities are better than segregation.

Agreeing Side Points: Nicole Hunt & Adrian Sterling

Community

A group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat(school)

Students are a part of a community once they are in school.

They shouldn’t be separated or excluded from integration experiences.

They feel welcomed and begin to have a sense of comfort.

Life Skills

Some students with disabilities don’t have any academic futures and might be placed in career path.

As educators it’s our job to teach these students life skills and give them the opportunity to experience inclusive activities when in school.

Students are also able to learn employability skills which will lead to more independence.

Bill 82

A special education program is defined as an educational program that is

based on and modified by the results of a continuous assessment and evaluation of the pupil and that

includes a plan (now referred to as an Individual Education Plan) containing specific objectives and an outline of

the educational services that meets the needs of the exceptional pupil..

EAs and teachers work hand in hand to provide students with opportunity to

excel in school.

Providing programs and services that reflect comprehensive commitment to

each student’s academic success.

MoE - Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy

Inclusive education is central to the achievement of high-quality education for all learners and the development of more

inclusive societies. Inclusion is still thought of in some countries as an approach to serving children with

disabilities within general educational settings. Internationally, however, it is increasingly seen more broadly as a reform that supports and welcomes

diversity amongst all learners.

Quality Education is for all Ontarians.Works hand in hand with The Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Canadian

Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Social Skills

Being around students of varying cognitive/social levels will allow students to see behaviours of all types of students

Students can learn proper social behaviours from other students

Students have more opportunity to make friendships, and interactions with other students (not just relying on the EA)

Misconceptions about disabilities can be addressed

Mainstream students have the opportunity to understand early on in life what disabilities are and are not, and that inside every student there is a person.

Less bullying, more friendships.

Educational Support

Educational assistants can provide needed support to all students in a classroom.

Better quality education for all students, as class sizes can be large.

EA has the opportunity to teach problem solving skills, such as ask a friend for help.