Get experience with all types of learners. Part 4

I have continued my time with the 6th grade class at Bethany. I continue to be impressed with how the teacher is able to work with students who are at such different levels and have such a variety of needs. Bethany Middle School is 100% inclusion. These students spend all day together, there is no pull out. Bethany does not have the resources that the public schools do to pull kids out of regular classes. Because of this Bethany isn't able to accept students with the most severe learning needs, but they still strive to serve a wide range of students.

The only form of "pull out" I have seen has come from more of a behavioral standpoint. The student with ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder has worked out a system with her teacher and the special services coordinator. At any point during the day if she feels like her emotions are building and she needs a break from the classroom she can get a pass by the door and go to the special services coordinator's classroom. No questions asked. The teacher is also able to send her at any point to his classroom as well. I have witnessed this happening on several different occasions. The teacher says, "I think you need to take the pass down to Mr. Mast's room" and without questioning the student does this. She leaves for 10-15 minutes, takes time to cool down and refocus, talks with Mr. Mast, and then returns to class. This method has seemed to work really well for everyone. There are just times when she needs distance from other students and her teacher.

I sometimes wonder why parents would send their students to Bethany when they could recieve so many more services at the local public school. I think sometimes parents worry about their children being in large schools. I think they also worry about the stigma that can be associated with students who are pulled out of classrooms for special needs. More times than not though the families who come to Bethany are interested in the Christian education component that is woven into the curriculum. I am a firm believer in Christian education, but I wonder how I would feel if I had a student with special needs. It must be such a difficult decision to figure out the best way to educate your children, especially one with special needs.