Quebec "coalition" for successful integration says inclusion has "gone way too far"

A new "Coalition for Successful Integration" of special needs kids in Quebec schools was launched recently and snagged headlines in the Montreal Gazette and elsewhere. The coalition is spearheaded by the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement, a teacher's union, and also includes the Association des pédiatres du Québec and the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec, as well as some individual members. The coalition is seeking support from the public.

The central idea of the coalition, according to its website, is that the integration of special needs kids in regular classrooms has gone much too far. (L’intégration dans les classes ordinaires des élèves handicapés ou en difficulté d’adaptation ou d’apprentissage (EHDAA) est allée beaucoup trop loin.)

The coalition's material frequently refers to the concept of inclusion (the term more often and probably more properly used in English, rather than "integration") as a "dogma".

The coalition's statement of principles includes such points as: Nous sommes persuadés que la décision d’inclure un élève à la classe ordinaire doit prendre en compte le meilleur intérêt de l’élève mais aussi l’impact de sa présence sur la réussite des autres élèves. In other words, the decision to include a student in a regular class must take into account the best interests of the student as well as the impact of their presence on the success of the other students.

Excusez-moi? That's only one of several statements that leaves one checking the year on the calendar to make sure we haven't somehow been returned to the 1950s. 

Most often this blog is presented from an objective perspective. But with all due respect, (and as much restraint as can be mustered) the ideas expressed in this declaration reflect extremely poorly on the professional associations / unions whose ideas are purportedly reflected here.

Not to mention, this coalition's commitment to an inclusive approach in general becomes embarrassingly apparent as one realizes that there is no English on the coalition website.

Stay tuned.