Coleman 1

Cody Coleman
Professor Malcolm Campbell
English 1103
2/8/2015
Topic Proposal: How/Why is Inclusion Important?
Introduction/Overview
I plan to explain why it is important that we push for schools to move toward inclusion
programs and how to put real life plans into action for my inquiry project. Inclusion, in the
context of school, means to include students with special needs with the students who are in
general education classrooms as much as possible. Many schools in the United States have been
attempting to introduce inclusion programs to bridge the gap that exists between young people
with disabilities and the world around them as said from the National Inclusion Project. It is
important that we have programs like this and believe that every student can succeed and learn.
I researched my topic using the internet, the librarys database, peers and professors to
learn more about it. Websites I used include the www.NationalInclusionProject.org and
www.specialolympics.org. Some things I found on the librarys database are, Inclusion of
children with special needs in school-age child care programs by Alice Henderson Hall
Affiliation, Inclusion. By Marilyn Friend; Lynne Cook. I spoke with many of my peers, both
inside and out of the class about my topic to brainstorm other possible ideas about it and their
topics. I also talked to my professors who are in my field since this is the main topic that we talk
about in my class. It was very helpful to get their views on it considering they have worked in the
field that is pushing for these programs for years.

Coleman 2

There are two sides to this just like every other argument. On one side, there are general
education teachers who are against inclusion because they are not fully trained or prepared to
handle people with special needs. Some also argue that they can be disruptive to the classroom
for the other students. On the other side, the special educators say that it is important to work
together with the kids who have special needs because everyone is important. They also explain
that just because people have special needs, does not mean that they cannot learn. I mainly used
ted talks and my textbook for my SPED 2100 course for this information which is Teaching
Students with Special Needs by Obrien.

Initial Inquiry Question(s)

How can we motivate schools to use inclusion?
What can we do to improve inclusion programs that are already in place?
What can universities do differently to prepare teachers to be ready to have students with
special needs?
How can general education teachers help their students understand the importance of
inclusion?

My Interest in this Topic

This topic shows one of my biggest passions that I have. Working with people who have special
needs and disabilities. It is so important to me that I decided in 8th grade that I was going to be a
special educator. I already know a little bit of information about this from my special education

Coleman 3

classes and I plan to learn more about the side that is against inclusion so that I can better argue
against it and understand why they say that.
1. What do you already know?
I just started learning about my topic in my SPED 2100 course. Therefore, I know
that inclusion is meant to close the gap between people with special needs and
those without. Also, that its important for teachers and everybody to understand
that everyone can succeed and learn.
2. What do you hope to learn?
I plan to learn more about the side that is against inclusion so that I can better
argue against it and understand why they say that.

Next Steps
In my next stages of research for my Inquiry Project, I will look for actual books in the
library that I can read to find people that both agree and disagree with my topic. I also plan to
interview professors in and out of the field of Special Education so that I can find out what
general education teachers think about the idea of inclusion as well. Lastly I will ask the librarian
from the College of Education to see if she has any incite to books or articles I can find to add
final thoughts to conclude my project.