Final answer:
The term referring to educating special needs children in regular classrooms with additional support is called inclusion. This concept is supported by the IDEA, which requires students with disabilities to be educated in the least restrictive environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the concept of educating a special needs child in the regular classroom with supplementary services as needed is inclusion. Inclusion is a practice where students with disabilities participate fully in the same classroom activities as their peers without disabilities. This approach aligns with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that students with disabilities should be educated in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs. Additionally, mainstreaming is a related concept where special needs students split their time between special education and regular classrooms based on their abilities and needs to optimize educational outcomes.
It's important to mention the historical context in which these concepts developed, like the Mills v. Board of Education case in 1972 which highlighted that the inadequacies of school systems should not bear more heavily on children with disabilities. Subsequently, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed in 1973, laying the groundwork for inclusive education and later becoming IDEA. The debate about the implementation of inclusive education persists today, and schools continue to strive for equality in service provision and educational outcomes for students with disabilities.