mainstreaming and inclusion of exceptional children?In an ever-changing world, the context of education continues to grow. The demand for more and more diverse education often forces teachers to struggle to acquire skills to improve classroom performance. It is critical to recognize that the need for higher education is implicit for all students, including those with special needs. “The term mainstreaming was first used in the 1970s and describes classrooms in which students with disabilities and students without disabilities are together (Mainstreaming in Classrooms, 2002. p. 1)”. In the field of special education the question of mainstreaming often arises as a solution for higher learning. Traditional and inclusion programs have proven to be beneficial to all students, teachers, and communities as a whole. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was reformed in 1997 and requires free and appropriate education for students with special needs. The IDEA emphasizes a less restrictive environment, in which children with special needs are educated to the best of their abilities (). For many children with special needs the highest level of appropriate education is mainstreamed. Participation in mainstream programs is highly dependent on each individual child's academic abilities and social skills. The Individual Education Plan is used to monitor each student's abilities, progress and future goals. “Not only must the IEP contain a statement of how the child's disability will affect participation in the general curriculum, but it must explain why a student will not participate in the general curriculum…” (Moore, Gilbreath, Maiuri, 1998, P.3) .There are many levels of special education, including but...... middle of paper......ability in general education classrooms: A synthesis of research. Retrieved October 30, 2002, from http://interact.uoregon.edu/wrrc/AKInclusion.htmlRush, M., Timmons, D., Holtsman, M., Medlock, L. (2002, April 15). Inclusion... Yours, Mine, Ours. Retrieved October 31, 2002, from http://rushservices.com/Inclusion/hompage.htmMainstreaming in Classrooms.(2002, May). Retrieved October 30, 2002, from http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=307&cat_id=20184&article_set=22988McNamara, B., McNamara, F.(1995). Integration. Retrieved November 2, 2002, from http://www.parentsoup.com/edcentral/vocabulary/bsa070.htmlShould Special Needs Children be “Mainstreamed” or Send to Seperate Classes? Retrieved October 31, 2002, from http://www.parentsoup. com/offline/special/articles/0,8248,191748_170012,00.html