this paper is inclusion 2

1. Least Restrictive Environment
In 1975 Congress passed a Public Law Public Law 94-142(Education of All
Handicapped Children Act) which is now referred to as The IDEA (Individuals with
Disabilities Act). In order to receive Federal funding States must prove that they are
providing a free and appropriate Education for these students. IDEA became a law in
2004. The scenario that will be used in this article is a Special Education student in
New York City public school System. The student is 14 years old and she has been
diagnosed as Mentally Challenged and Multiply Handicapped. She is non verbal, but
uses a voice output communication device. She is able to communicate most wants
and needs by using her device. The device that she uses is a Dynavox. The Dynavox
is a very sophisticated device that can be programmed to be used in the classroom
across all curriculum environments.
The student’s mother and father feel that she is very high functioning and her
cognitive skills support her parent’s beliefs. The student’s parent’s request an
Educational conference to address her needs and her future. The attendees at the
conference will be The Special Education Coordinator, The Special Education
Classroom Teacher, The Speech Therapist, The Physical Therapist and Occupational
Therapist. The parents also have decided that they would like their family lawyer to
attend. The student also has to attend the conference, in the New York City Schools.
The Unit Coordinator is basically their as a community representative making sure
that all documents are signed at the meeting. The Coordinator will also make sure that
the flow of the meeting remains on topic. The day of the meeting all Attendees enter
the room and the IEP is presented (Individualized Education Plan). Each discipline
speaks about the student, The Speech Therapist “says that the student is able to use
the Dynavox to communicate in all settings”. “She uses the device in Science class,
math class, English Language Arts class, Social Studies in Adaptive physical
Education mainly for requesting”. The occupational therapist says that “the student is
able to use a pen but she needs a special attachment for the pen to move”. The

2. student has limited manual dexterity skills, but is able to write slowly by using the
mechanical pen attachment. The Physical therapist agrees that although her physical
skills are limited “she has the cognitive skills to learn how to work a power chair. The
classroom teacher states that “the Dynavox voice output device is used throughout the
day across all curriculum areas and that this student should move forward to a regular
classroom setting.
Research based on least restrictive Environment.
The words least restrictive environment and inclusion will be
used interchangeably during this research discussion. Under
Federal Law districts are required to provide a free and appropriate
public education (FAPE) Since the Public law of 1975 was passed
schools have been required to provide children with disabilities a
Free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment
(Department of Education Learning Supports). Education in a least
restrictive environment can be left to interpretation some people
feel that a Special Education Program with students that are
mentally and physically challenged should all be in Special
Education classrooms on the first floor of a building with an
elevator to travel around the building. There are some people that
feel that these children can function in a regular classroom if the
provisions are made and the students have the cognitive abilities to
function in a regular classroom.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s The most important issue in special
education was where students with disabilities should be taught the
schools and classrooms that they should attend, was a priority over
what they should be taught.There is no record of any leader in
special education ever saying that all students with disabilities
should be taught in separate schools and classrooms. “Moreover
these advocates urge that all students with disabilities attend

3. ordinary classrooms alongside nondisabled classmates for most or
all the school day” (e.g., Lipsky& Gartner, 1997; Stainback&
Stainback, 1991). The opposing argument is that a full continuum
of alternative placements ranging from regular classrooms to
resource classes, Special-contained classes, and special day or
residential schools and hospitals is necessary if every student with
a disability is to receive an appropriate education (e.g.,
Bateman,1996; Kauffman& Hallahan, 1993). Determination of
least restrictive environment must include consideration of a
student’s specific handicap.
What is an IEP? The IEP is an individualized education plan
that means that the plan is tailored for the individual students
needs. In a Special Education class with students that are classified
as physically and mentally challenged. The professionals that
would contribute to the IEP are the Classroom Teacher, Physical
Therapist, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and the
parent. Yes nothing on the IEP is official unless the parent agrees
to it. Legally this document can’t move forward unless the parent
signs it. If the parent disagrees with any aspect of the IEP now or
in the future they have a right to call an Impartial Hearing to make
changes. “The demand for educational change and reform in our
nation is long-standing (national Commission on Excellence in
Education, 1983). Today schools are challenged to educate
students in a fast growing Technological environment. The
increasingly diverse population in schools and in the workplace
demands that people interact and work well together (villa
&Thousand, 1929b). The face of Special education is experiencing
increased pressures to change. The face of special education and
the relationships among professionals are evolving as school
systems move toward integrative full service delivery models (eg.,
Pfeiffer& reddy,1998; reddy& barboza-whitehead,1998).

4. Inclusion has emerged as one of the most widely debated
discussions in education today. Consensus on what constitutes
inclusive schools is lacking (e.g., Townsend& paul, 1997).
Inclusive schools have different definitions, some school districts
place students in one or more regular classrooms, some schools
place all students with disabilities in general education full time.
The definition of general inclusion refers to educating students
with mild to severe disabilities in the general education classroom.
Advocates of full inclusion believe that restricting students with
disabilities from full participation in general education fails to
serve their needs, is stigmatizing, and deprives them from rich and
diverse academic and social opportunities found in general
education(e.g., Gartner Lipsky, 1987; Stainback& Stainback,
1992;1996).