Policy making on equality and integration in special education in Israel
Policy making on equality and integration in special education in Israel

Summary/Abstract: The heterogeneous class is a reality in Israel's education system and reflectsthe heterogeneous population that characterizes Israeli society. The main factor in theheterogeneous class represents the social processes, such as immigration, and the deliberate policyof the Ministry of Education, such as integrating children with special needs into the regularschool. There are arguments about the contribution of the class that promotes heterogeneity bothsocially and academically. Those who support this idea argue that the social encounter betweenspecial needs students and regular class students will contribute to the social growth of specialstudents. They argue that even if the child is rejected, he/she is exposed to models of normativesocial behavior. The assumption is that students with learning disabilities will integrate intoadulthood in mainstream society and therefore should develop as an integral part of this society.On the other hand, some argue that children with special needs experience consistent socialrejection. Observations have shown that special education students have less social interactionswith ordinary students, express emotional distress and feel lonely and disconnected.

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