Overview

A long road has been travelled between exclusion and school and social inclusion. Until recently, the dominant theory and practice regarding meeting the special educational needs of children, young people and adults defined the organisation of special schools and classes, separating this population from other students. Within this context, special education is concerned with the care and education of people with disabilities and global disorders, and is organised to cater specifically and exclusively for students with certain special needs. In this way, inclusive education is a process in which the participation of all students in regular educational establishments is expanded. It involves restructuring the culture, practices and policies of schools so that they respond to the diversity of students.