Mainstreaming

Mainstreaming involves the placement of differently abled students in regular classroom environments.Advocates of mainstreaming generally require that a learner prove his or her ability to cope with a regular classroom environment. The learner is given the same instruction as his peers, and covers the same concepts. Course material for differently abled students in a mainstreaming environment is either kept standard, or is modified somewhat as needed.Mainstreaming can be successful approach for students possess abilities close to their peers, and can be expected to keep up with classroom proceedings, albeit with some allowances.

Inclusion

Most models for inclusion are used for learners who can not be expected to keep up with regular coursework, but are placed in a regular classroom for social benefits. Inclusion models are underpinned by moral and ethical arguments, and proponents argue that inclusion is socially favourable both for differently abled students and their regular peers. Inclusion models do not expect differently abled students to keep up with normal coursework, and call for substantial modifications to materials and instruction. Support (such as shadow teachers and special instruction) is offered to learners within the normal classroom environment.