The devil is in the details: issues of exclusion in an inclusive educational environment

Abstract

In response to federal legislation and societal views that seek to provide free and appropriate education for each child. Public schools are now opening their doors to a wide variety of learners. General-education teachers are challenged to make their classrooms more inclusive. This year-long-ethnographic study explores the experiences of 20 non-deaf and two deaf fifth-grade students, a general-education and a Resource Room teacher, and support personnel. Results highlight explicit messages of equality and inclusion that belied behaviours which marginalised and excluded the deaf students. Suggestions are made for those committed to providing all students with a fair and equitable educational experience.

Keywords:

• inclusion
• deaf
• ethnography