Final answer:
Inclusion in education aims to integrate students with disabilities into standard classrooms. Outcomes for such students have improved with higher test performance and better graduation rates, though challenges remain, such as lower services for students in lower-income areas and ongoing debates about the most effective methods of educational inclusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Student outcomes associated with inclusion are varied. Inclusion, in the context of educational settings, refers to the practice of including students with disabilities in general education classrooms and providing them with the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities. While the No Child Left Behind Act ensured that standards and testing would include students with disabilities, actual outcomes have seen both positives and negatives. On the positive side, there has been an increase in test performance among students with disabilities. On the other hand, dropout rates increased, and some schools appeared less welcoming to students with disabilities to raise average test scores.
When considering disabilities like auto-immune disorders, mental health disorders, and those affecting individuals on the spectrum, inclusiveness in education is crucial. True inclusiveness can provide an opportunity for social development in standard classroom environments. While students with disabilities graduate at a lower rate than the average for all students, recent programs have seen improvements, with a national average graduation rate for students with disabilities at about 73 percent compared to 88 percent for all populations.
However, there are ongoing challenges, such as the variance in which disabilities receive services and the level of support provided. Additionally, disparities based on race, ethnicity, and geography remain, with students from lower-income areas often receiving fewer services and having lower graduation rates. The debate on whether complete immersion via inclusion or a balanced approach via mainstreaming is more effective is ongoing, underscoring the complexity of providing universal access to education.