What that means, says psychologist Judy Kugelmass, is that special education has become a subject of interest for all parents, not just those whose children have disabilities. In an interview last week, Kugelmass said that educating students with disabilities in conventional classrooms, if done with the appropriate amount of support, is not only not disruptive, but can be beneficial to all children. Then other children who learn in similar ways benefit as well. Teaching in that classroom becomes more flexible and individualized. A second benefit is the increased social and emotional development of students who attend class with students with special needs, she said.
Research shows that the areas of empathy and tolerance of difference and diversity are enhanced.
Kuglemass plans to lead Fall Creek parents in a discussion that will allow them to share any fears about inclusion and learn more about supporting their children in diverse classrooms. An internationally-recognized expert on special education and emotional disturbance, Kugelmass has just returned from Eastern Europe where she trained teachers in effective inclusion methods. Former Communist countries are trying to develop democratic education systems, she explained, and inclusion, which affords equal access to education for students with disabilities, is a hallmark of democracy. Harvest Fast Students, staff and administrators at the Alternative Community School will fast at lunchtime on Thursday, Nov. 16, as part of a nationwide anti-hunger campaign sponsored by Oxfam America. Locally, the Fast for a World Harvest is being sponsored by the ACS Students for Social Responsibility.