What is inclusive education and how will this shape your teaching practice?
3142/7278EBL – Assignment 1
1
Introduction An inclusive education upholds the ideals of an equitable society where access to and successful participation in education are considered to be the right of every person in that society. This paper will argue that whilst some steps have been taken to ensure equity in education for all, there is still a long way to go before Australia can provide a truly inclusive educational experience for all participants. It will be shown that there are deficit based and systemic approaches to exclusion and that rather than promote inclusiveness; these approaches place the blame upon either individuals or institutions for exclusive practices. It will further be shown that for some equity groups, participation and successful outcomes are limited due to the socio-cultural nature of exclusivity experienced by these groups. In particular, education equity issues for Indigenous Australians will be examined. The role of government legislation and policy, and the nature of teaching practices that shape inclusivity will also be explored.
What is inclusive education? According to Thomas & Vaughan (2004, p. 17), an inclusive education is that which seeks to include all participants, regardless of “disability, poverty, gender or culture,” or as Kalantzis & Cope (2000, p. 36), describes it, the “relationship of diversity to access”. In modern Australian society socio-cultural factors have led to groups of people being disadvantaged in terms of access to and participation in education. These factors may include ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, impairment, language, literacy or numeracy needs, cultural differences, gender, disengagement, age, religion, remote locations, or a combination of several of these factors (Krause, Bochner & Duchesne, 2003, pp. 263-299).
To pretend that there are no differences between people would be absurd according to... [continues]
3142/7278EBL – Assignment 1
1
Introduction An inclusive education upholds the ideals of an equitable society where access to and successful participation in education are considered to be the right of every person in that society. This paper will argue that whilst some steps have been taken to ensure equity in education for all, there is still a long way to go before Australia can provide a truly inclusive educational experience for all participants. It will be shown that there are deficit based and systemic approaches to exclusion and that rather than promote inclusiveness; these approaches place the blame upon either individuals or institutions for exclusive practices. It will further be shown that for some equity groups, participation and successful outcomes are limited due to the socio-cultural nature of exclusivity experienced by these groups. In particular, education equity issues for Indigenous Australians will be examined. The role of government legislation and policy, and the nature of teaching practices that shape inclusivity will also be explored.
What is inclusive education? According to Thomas & Vaughan (2004, p. 17), an inclusive education is that which seeks to include all participants, regardless of “disability, poverty, gender or culture,” or as Kalantzis & Cope (2000, p. 36), describes it, the “relationship of diversity to access”. In modern Australian society socio-cultural factors have led to groups of people being disadvantaged in terms of access to and participation in education. These factors may include ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, impairment, language, literacy or numeracy needs, cultural differences, gender, disengagement, age, religion, remote locations, or a combination of several of these factors (Krause, Bochner & Duchesne, 2003, pp. 263-299).
To pretend that there are no differences between people would be absurd according to... [continues]
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(2012, 04). What Is Inclusive Education and How Will This Shape Your Teaching Practice?. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 04, 2012, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Is-Inclusive-Education-And-How-963574.html
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"What Is Inclusive Education and How Will This Shape Your Teaching Practice?" StudyMode.com. 04 2012. 04 2012 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Is-Inclusive-Education-And-How-963574.html>.
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"What Is Inclusive Education and How Will This Shape Your Teaching Practice?." StudyMode.com. 04, 2012. Accessed 04, 2012. http://www.studymode.com/essays/What-Is-Inclusive-Education-And-How-963574.html.
