Compares/Contrasts Continuum of Services and Inclusion for educating students with special needs in a general education system (about 4 pages).

There are a number of ways by which children with special needs can be educated within the confines of the general education system. The two most popular options are the continuum of services option and the inclusive schools option. The continuum of services option offers educational services to students with special needs in a range of settings, which can include, as well as the regular classroom, resource rooms, separate classrooms, and specialized schools. It assumes …

…of the continuum of services approach, on the other hand, point out that even those jurisdictions committed to an inclusive approach have had to arrange for special settings for some exceptional students. They argue that total integration is unrealistic and, also, in some cases more harmful to the student than segregated placement. These advocates for a continuum of settings point out that this approach is more educationally effective for meeting the needs of all students.