Challenges and potential solutions for enabling inclusion in secondary schools

Children with disabilities are increasingly being included in mainstream classes in Australian schools. In addition, many children with disabilities who are currently enrolled in primary school will be moving to secondary school in the next few years. For secondary schools to meet this challenge, it is important that the reasons for their difficulties are understood and ways of overcoming them are explored. This paper provides a discussion of the specific challenges for secondary schools regarding inclusive education, including the school structure, teaching methods, curriculum, external exams, training and the nature of adolescence. A discussion of a broad range of issues will highlight potential solutions to common concerns in secondary schools. While the inclusion of students with disabilities in secondary schools will undoubtedly identify many challenges, it is argued that these may inspire creative solutions that will benefit all children.