This illustration perfectly sums up inclusive education, so it's tempting not to comment ...
However let's take a look at it in the classroom and discover the story of Paul, Kim and Zack. Take a simple example and imagine that the fence is the representation of writing.
Paul on the left has no difficulty writing besides he likes it, Kim in the center is dyslexic she makes a lot of confusion which enormously slows her down and Zack on the right is dyspraxic he does not have automatic gesture, it is as if you had to write a hieroglyph in place of each letter. We can wonder what level of concentration that would require us and what would be our fatigability .. ?? And watch out for presentation, spelling mistakes and punctuation !!!!
Equality
The school equips each student with a computer !!! Everyone is happy, but does paul need it? Is it suitable for Kim? And is that enough for Zack?
Inclues
Paul does not have a computer. Is it unfair? Does he need it? Kim has the right to a human support to offsets her difficulties without being slowed down in her learning because soon she will have managed to gain enough "height". Zack needs the same human support as Kim but in addition he uses a computer whenever it is necessary because it is consistent! What would you prefer between using a keyboard and drawing hyeroglyphs?
Universal access
In all activities (plentiful) for which the writing fence is no longer present. then the assistant steps back, the computer is closed and everyone sees the horizon and the future.
We do not all start in life and in learning with the same skills, but the aim of the school is to prepare everyone to become an actor of life in society. This objective is only achievable by giving to everyone the means necessary for their personal success, so that each individual can be at the same level and have the same opportunities, in a way adapted according to each situation and its evolution.
Bonus: I really like this picture to illustrate the inclusion in general.
Can we make up a story?
See you and take care,
Céline.
Hi Celin and Sabrina !
I love the “bonus” picture witch explain better than words what is inclusion...and what it isn’t !
I have worked as an AESH during 3 years with autistic child in an ULIS class and I loved that job. I found it very enriching. Now I am working as an individual AESH, within a nursery school, to help a little boy who cannot walk by is own. He need a wheelchair sometimes during school day. He also got attention disorder and indeed need a human help to help him being focused on learning at school.
One thing I would like to underlined in this post is how each AESH might be creative, inventive in his job…
This is very interesting ! The pictures are clear, they are saying a lot, and could also be used to explain the subject to childrens. I was asking myself a lot of questions about this and your website answered many of them. Thanks !
I think your subject is very interesting especially since it’s a very important subject which is unfortunately little put forward. I also find that the way you approach the subject is very smart since as you say so well a picture is better than words.
This topic particularly affects me since I think that school has a great role to play in terms of equal opportunities, in other words the fact that everyone has the same chances of success.
And unfortunately this is not the case in many countries where your social class and financial means will depend on your success.
Thank you for bringing up the subject so well. Good job.
Hi girls,
Thank you for your blog which tackles a subject close to my heart and fundamental in our society well developed on some aspects but sadly so deficient when it comes to education...As said previously by Esther, I was surprised but glad you included HP; because yes, it can be a disability when not adapted to the current educational "framework" or paradigm, which I experienced. In fact, Education is a moving subject for me and I was about to share a text about it on my own blog, notably on having a second chance in education which could be included in inclusive education in a wide perspective. Indeed, because of my unidentified and unsuitable own HP (I was diagnosed…
Dear Céline & Sabrina
I was quite surprised to discover your blog, in a good way of course!
Inclusive education, welcoming every single child, welcoming his disability as well & giving them the best scholarship conditions is so important.
Yet, it seems like we are so far from it.
So thank you so so much for your hard work!
I couldn't help noticing that amongst the disabilities you listed, you have mentioned HP with an interesting link. And I'm quite concerned & emotional when it comes to it.
If only 30 years ago from now we could have told why school was giving me such a hard time and why I didn't fit...
Thanks to brave & dedicated people like…