Local school officials who support total inclusion face opposition at the state level from people such as Robert Kennedy, who oversees special education for the N.H. Department of Education. It was never intended to be for every student. We're headed for an appropriate program for everyone. That's what the law requires and anything outside of that is silly. With or without Kennedy's blessings, local educators are proceeding with inclusion.
Some districts begin that process an early age, to help ease the transition for everyone.
In Peterborough, regular and special-education preschoolers begin their student lives together, at the Teeter Toddler Child Care center. On a sunny summer morning, Zachary is squealing with delight along with his playmates. Zachary looks like the seven other rambunctious non-disabled preschoolers. But Zachary is a special-education student. Zachary's intelligence level is normal, but he has a speech problem.