Integrating students with special needs into a general education classroom has many advantages, both social and academic. For example, all students are required to receive and be tested on common core information, regardless of academic status. Julie Verdonik, an administrator at Maple Grove Jr. Sr. High School who is the head of the Special Education department , says if the students are not able to participate in the general education class, it is much more likely that they will not be taught all of the information that they are responsible for knowing. Special education classrooms slow down the pace of learning, and in many cases, this can actually be detrimental to the student (Verdonik). Verdonik also says, “When high expectations are set, generally the students are able to meet them.” Any students that are capable of handling the common-core curriculum should be given the opportunity to do so. Not only is the challenging curriculum good for them, but interacting with their peers is very beneficial as well. When asked if integration was socially beneficial for students with special needs Verdonik responded, “It is always beneficial to have students interacting together.” As a general rule, when students interact with
Cited: Koch, Kathy. “Do Students With Disabilities Get the Help They Need?” CQ Researcher 10.39 (2013): 905-928 NCLD Editorial Team. “What is an IEP?” National Center for Learning Disabilities. The National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2013 “What is a 504 plan?” NCLD. National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2013. Web. 1 February 2013.