Students' perceptions of inclusion and resource room settings

Findings from eight studies that have examined the perceptions of students with learning disabilities of their educational settings were synthesized. Interviews and surveys with 442 students with learning disabilities yielded five overall findings: (1) The majority of students with learning disabilities preferred to receive specialized instruction outside of the general education classroom for part of the school day; (2) students stated that they liked the resource room because the work is easier and fun and they get the help they need to do their work; (3) students indicated that they liked the inclusion classroom because it was better for making friends; (4) most students valued the support provided by the special education teacher in the general education classroom and did not know that he or she was the special education teacher; and (5) most students were unsure as to how they were placed in special education and who was responsible for the decision about whether they received special services in the general education classroom or the resource room.