ABSTRACT
In 2018–19, more than seven million students in the United States received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Federal and state law require that schools have an internal system to identify, evaluate, and provide services to special-needs children. Usually, the process commences when a parent or school staff member refers a student for evaluation. Students may not be evaluated, however, without parental consent. Federal law requires that students with special needs should learn alongside other students and be placed in the least restrictive environment possible. Often this means a school will create inclusion classes that combine general students with special education students. The benefit of inclusion classes is twofold: special education students are included in mainstream classes, thus diminishing the stigma of having to attend “special” classes. And other students also benefit, as another teacher is assigned to the inclusion class who can support all students, both general and special education, in their learning.
