Boosting Potential For All Students

In the dynamic and evolving landscape of education, integrated learning stands out as a beacon of opportunity for all students. Imagine a world where children with developmental delays and disabilities grow alongside their typically developing peers, starting from the preschool level.

This vision is not just a possibility but a necessity, unlocking myriad benefits that ripple across personal growth, social interactions, and academic achievements.

Growth of Developmentally Delayed Students

For children with developmental delays, integrating into classrooms with typically developing peers ignites profound growth in many aspects of their development. An integrated environment provides the best place for making friends and more opportunities for play—a key element in childhood development.

Interacting with a diverse group of peers helps these children develop a richer array of social skills. Research supports the benefits of such settings, showing that children with developmental disabilities exhibit up to a 30% increase in communication skills when exposed to peers who model typical language.

Soon after birth, Becca Winegar was diagnosed with Down syndrome, and thankfully, her high school was incredibly inclusive. One teacher, Joe Greer, implemented a peer tutoring program that had a lifelong impact on Becca. Becca explained, “We would all pair off with each other, get to know each other, work together, and go into normal class settings.

And during those years, I learned how to really talk to people and interact with people. I still hold those friendships dear in my heart because I know that my friends all love me. They embraced me.”

Empowering Typically Developing Students

The benefits of integrated classrooms extend beyond students with developmental delays and disabilities. Typically developing children gain equally—if not more—from these settings. A significant 85% of typically developing students in inclusive environments shared that their attitudes toward their peers with disabilities became more positive.

The exposure reduces stigma and cultivates an empathetic, accepting space. By integrating children early on, we lay the groundwork for future generations to build a kinder, more equitable world because they have already experienced it daily in their classrooms.

Enhanced Academic Performance

The advantages of integrated learning rise above social and emotional spheres, substantially impacting academic performance. Both sets of students thrive academically when given the chance to learn side by side.

For instance, one study highlighted that 88% of typically developing students in inclusive classrooms maintained or improved their test scores. The collaborative nature of these classrooms fosters critical thinking skills and exposes children to diverse perspectives, which can lead to a 12% increase in problem-solving abilities compared to traditional settings.

On the other hand, students with delays or disabilities show remarkable growth in an inclusive setting. In one study, 76% of students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms achieved higher academic outcomes than those in isolation. This progress is, in part, because the curriculum challenges these students rather than relegating them to simplified content.

Bridging the Gap With Support

Although integrated public schooling has been mandated since the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, achieving this integration at the preschool and daycare levels remains challenging due to the high needs of students with disabilities and the associated staffing costs.

Here is where organizations like Kids on the Move (KOTM) make a profound difference. Based in Orem, Utah, KOTM is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing complex circumstances, including those with special needs, mental health challenges, and low incomes. By providing comprehensive services and resources, KOTM creates environments where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

By supporting organizations like KOTM, you’re contributing to a future where integrated learning is not just an ideal but a widespread reality.

Together, we can ensure that each child experiences the same richness of educational opportunity and stands equipped to contribute to a more understanding and cohesive society.