ABSTRACT
The French education system in all its complexity is the legacy of a number of different historic strands and events. The chapter examines some of the issues arising out of the complex and diverse systems which have grown up to accommodate children and young people with disabilities and difficulties in learning. It describes the separate development of special provision and the state education system and how this has been encouraged by the growth of institutions outside the education system and by the nature of the curriculum and organization within that system. The Loi Jospin reiterated the importance of educational integration as part of a process of inclusion in society and invited the services provided by the Ministry for Health to participate in this process. Children with severe learning difficulties and disabilities are usually placed in a centre referred to as a hebergement where they receive medical treatment and therapy.
