The Benefits of Inclusion

Children with significant special needs can develop their full potential intellectually, socially, and emotionally when high-quality instruction is implemented in inclusive class settings, among their peers and general education teachers.

There is significant research that indicates ALL students, those who are disabled and those who are not, benefit from inclusive education.  Disabled students who are included develop stronger skills in reading and mathematics, have higher rates of attendance, are less likely to have behavioral problems and are more likely to complete secondary school than students who have not been included. And “students without disabilities had higher academic performance when learning with students of varied abilities, including those with disabilities, than their peers in less integrated classrooms” (Szumski et al., 2017).  As adults, students with disabilities who have been included are more likely to be enrolled in post-secondary education and to be employed or living independently. Furthermore, research indicates non-disabled classmates who are educated in inclusive classrooms hold less prejudicial views and are more accepting of people who are different from themselves. (Evidence on Inclusive Education, Abt Associates).

For more information on inclusion, read the following articles:

The fact is, the absence of students with disabilities in our Catholic schools is in conflict with our Catholic faith and their presence in our schools will bring everyone closer to God. There is a long history of support for inclusion of those with special needs in our Catholic schools.  In 1978 the USCCB declared, “It is not enough merely to affirm the rights of people with disabilities. We must actively work to make them real in the fabric of modern society.” All three of our most recent Popes have stressed the importance of inclusion of children with special needs in our parishes and Catholic schools.