Thailand
When it comes to education, one question always comes to mind. How best to support children with diverse learning needs.
To get the right solution first you need to know about Inclusive Education and Special Education. Both methods are highly recommended and aim to give every child a good education.
Both types of education objective is quality education, they diverge in approach, philosophy, and implementation. However, parents need to choose whichever is best for their children.
In this blog we will understand the similarities and differences in inclusive education and special education. Our aim is to make you aware which is ideal for your child.
Contents
What is Inclusive Education?
Inclusive Education means an educational approach in which all students, regardless of their abilities or needs, learn together in the same classrooms and schools.
Everyone receives the support and resources they need to succeed. Inclusive education believes that each child has the right to learn with their classmates.
Rather than segmentation the benefits of inclusive education covers that it modifies the environment, and teaching methods. Inclusive education further improves curriculum according to all.
Inclusive education is not about physical presents in school or classroom. It’s all about participation, social interaction, and achievement for all students.
What is Special Education?
Special education means an individualized instruction and support for kids with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities or other special educational needs.
It includes specialized classrooms, resource rooms, or specialized schools where teachers are trained to support children and families.
Special education mainly focuses on teachers understanding, adapting and creating an environment which is suitable for special needs students.
If you want to adopt special education for your kid and search for online learning opportunities. Read online learning for special needs students.
Special education for disabled students is an ideal choice because it provides an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This helps kids in effective learning.
Similarities Between Inclusive and Special Education
Both inclusive education and special education have different approaches. Despite that they have some similarities or common objectives to fulfill educational needs of children:
1. Focus on Student Needs
Both inclusive and special education prioritize student needs, but with different approaches. The main focus is on providing appropriate support and resources for diverse learners.
While inclusive education always aims to meet the needs of all students. Special education provides specialized services to students with disabilities.
2. Provide Support for All
Both inclusive and special education share a common goal to fulfill the requirements of students in their education.
They ensure equal access to quality education, customized solutions and promote student growth in every stage in life.
However, both education provide different kinds of support such as special education provide individualised support and inclusive education create a supportive and accessible learning environment.
3. Collaboration and Partnerships
Both inclusive and special education benefit significantly from collaboration and partnerships. It encourages collaboration between teachers and families to monitor progress.
The collaboration between general and special education teachers, general and disabled students, parents and teachers each comes under inclusive education.
Collaboration in special education often includes separate meetings with special teachers with parents, general and special education teachers etc.
4. Individualized Education
Individualized instruction is prioritized by both inclusive and special education and support for students with diverse learning needs.
However, both have different ways of doing it. Inclusive education focuses on an inclusive learning environment and special education provides specialized instruction and services in separate settings.
These points showcase that inclusive education and special education both are not fully opposite to each other.
However, both have different bases and ideations to promote education for both general and special needs students.
This shows that all children have access to quality education no matter the choice.
If you have already decided for inclusive education most read how to promote inclusive education in schools.
Key Differences Between Inclusive and Special Education
| S No. | Particulars | Special Education | Inclusive Education |
| 1. | Goal: | Special education aims to tailored learning in specialized environments for children with specific needs. | In inclusive education the main goal is integration and participation of all students in mainstream classrooms. |
| 2. | Setting: | For special education, separate classrooms or schools designed for special needs students. | For inclusive education general education classrooms with support services. |
| 3. | Focus: | It focuses on adapting the learner’s experience to suit their unique needs. | It focuses on adapting the system to accommodate diverse learners. |
| 4. | Teacher Roles: | Special educators provide individualized instruction in small groups. | General and special educators collaborate within one classroom. |
| 5. | Curriculum: | Special education offers customized curriculum based on IEP and developmental goals. | Inclusive education offers modified general curriculum with universal design principles. |
Key Takeaways: Choose The Right Education
The debate between inclusive education and special education can’t be centered on which one is superior. Each has its own uniqueness.
So rather than finding which is more appropriate for a particular student, everyone needs to understand the distinct needs, strengths, and circumstances.
Some students with let’s disability are comfortable with inclusive education with general students. On the other hand, others benefit with special education.
Because it focused attention and specialized strategies. The key of education lies between flexibility and personalization.
Right education is a priority for every teacher, parents and students. Whether you are choosing inclusive or special education, ensure the child feels valued, and supported.
