The instructional model of collaborative teaching is being utilized to deliver
services to students with disabilities in an inclusive environment. An inclusive classroom
is a place where the integration of disabled and non-disabled students with same age
peers occurs in an instructional setting. The practice of inclusive schooling is to provide a
child with disabilities his or her education with nondisabled peers, with the supports and
accommodations needed by that student (York-Barr & Shultz 1996). The model for
delivery of specialized instruction changes when inclusive practices are in place. Often
instruction in an inclusive classroom is done collaboratively by a general education and
special education teacher. The object is not for general educators to become special
educators or for special educators to become general educators. King-Sears (1997) states
that inclusion does not mean that that special education is not needed. The need for
specialized services and special educators remains. Specialized instruction includes the
supports and services needed by a student with disabilities to access the curriculum.
Differentiated instruction, however, can be used with all students.