Abstract

MENDES, Eniceia Gonçalves; ALMEIDA, Maria Amélia  and  TOYODA, Cristina Yoshie. School inclusion through collaboration between special education and general education. Educ. rev. [online]. 2011, n.41, pp. 80-93. ISSN 0104-4060.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-40602011000300006.

The concern about inclusive practices in public schools in Brazil began after the Salamanca Statement, with challenges and doubts. Even today, after about 15 years, the regular teachers complain saying they did not have enough knowledge or formal preparation for dealing with children with special educational needs, especially when they have serious disorders such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and behavior disorders. The collaboration between professionals of Special and Regular Education can be an alternative to face these challenges. The objective of this report was to present a brief history of a program on research, teaching and extension that aims to bring together the Federal University of São Carlos and regular school teachers who have students with special needs in their classrooms. The program started in 2004 and currently is in its seventh year of implementation, involving university professors, undergraduate and postgraduate students and regular teachers. The results seem to point out that collaboration between Regular and Special Education can be a promising avenue for making more inclusive schools.

Keywords : school inclusion; collaborative teaching; collaborative consultation; professional preparation.