Mainstreaming, Current Practices in

Mainstreaming is the principle that students with disabilities will receive an education in the same setting as their nondisabled peers. Today, the term used more frequently is inclusion, but there are differences between mainstreaming and inclusion. Inclusion refers to the location of educational services and to how the student is valued as an active member of the classroom community. The inclusion of students with disabilities is considered good educational practice and is an issue of social justice and civil rights supported by federal legislation. This entry first describes the development of mainstreaming and inclusion in public schools. It then discusses the use of supplementary aids and services and collaboration between general and special education teachers to support students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Finally, ...