How Do You Feel About Inclusion?

I understand the education system wanting to create an educational utopia. It sounds like a really good idea. Bring together diverse cultures and provide one curriculum with standards all students will aspire to reach by the teacher's guiding hand. I would like to see barrier removed for those with disabilities and inclusion applied successfully. At the same time, I continue to question if this really the best idea.

Three months ago in St. Louis, an 8-year-old girl was handcuffed and taken to jail for allegedly destroying two classrooms during a temper tantrum. This was not the first time she had a temper tantrum at school. According to the uncle/legal guardian, the little girl is a special needs student who exhibited this type of behavior on several occasions. The teacher restrained her then contacted the uncle without police involvement. The police stated it was necessary to restraint the 70 pound little girl. The uncle explained, she was handcuffed and shackled then taken to jail without a winter coat. While in custody her requests to use the restroom was denied. Police justified their actions by saying the little girl was taken to juvenile jail. The principle swallowed deep after explaining children are taken into protective custody when parent refuse to pick them up. A statement from the uncle indicated that was not the case.

This incident occurred at a special needs school with professionals trained to address behavioral issues. Clearly, the child’s behavior is not her fault. The school is responsible for providing the necessary mean and maintaining her safety as well as the other students. Whether or not the correct choices were made is questionable, but I was relieved the situation occurred in an environment that caters to special needs children.  I agree general education and special education should interact to remove fears and assumptions. Completely joining the two worlds do not appear to be a great idea.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhVjxdkFOVg
http://www.kmov.com/news/local/8-year-old-girl-handcuffed-and-put-in-jail-for-two-hours-195485751.html