The document discusses handling a situation in an inclusion classroom where a student is complaining that another student, Kevin, receives certain privileges. The author explains that while situations may not always be equal, they can still be fair. Kevin learns differently than other students, so giving him certain privileges allows him to advance in the classroom, which is fair even if not equal. The author's belief is that situations can be unequal but still fair, such as punishing a student daily for lack of effort but not punishing another student twice for forgetting homework. Accommodations for students with learning disabilities level the playing field and provide an equal opportunity to succeed, which the author considers fair in the context of education.

1. MORAL DILEMMA Kelly Faxlanger

2. How will you handle this? In an inclusion classroom, there will always be a difference in “fairness”. I however, do not see this as a bad thing. In this specific classroom, what the complaining student fails to realize is that the situation is fair, it’s just not equal. I would explain to this student and the rest of the class, that Kevin learns a different way from the rest of them, just as some students are visual learners vs. audio learners. In order for Kevin to advance in the classroom, he will be given certain privileges that not all students may receive.

3. My Personal Beliefs My personal belief is that it is ok to be unequal, but that you must be fair. There is a huge difference between these two. For example, if a student forgets his homework on a daily basis, I will be forced to punish them daily for their lack of effort. However, if there is a student who consistently works hard in class and always does their homework, I do not feel I need to punish them if they forget their homework once or maybe even twice. A teacher must always be fair, but not necessarily equal.

4. What is “Fair”? I feel that students with learning disabilities deserve an equal opportunity to excel in the classroom. Given their disability, they will need other accommodations to “level the playing field”. Therefore, I do not think it is unfair to provide these students with such accommodations. I feel the the term “fair” in the context of education and individuals with special needs means providing them with an equal opportunity to succeed. 