Q: What are ways to integrate a music class with special needs students and other students

without having a barrier between the two?

Special education in music is an important topic to me, which is why I decided to base my
research on this. The integration of special education students (or just students) in music
classrooms is integral in their learning. By having a barrier between what is considered “normal”
classrooms and special education classrooms, a label is automatically placed on these
students. I want to research methods to integrate these classrooms, starting with music but
perhaps beyond, in order to break down that barrier. As a future teacher, I want my classroom
to be an open and accepting space where all students are treated with respect to their
uniqueness, which they deserve. Thats where this becomes difficult for me, how am I supposed
to give these individuals what they need and also have an integrated classroom? Certain
students will need more assistance or attention during music in order to participate with
everyone, but when am I supposed to decide which students really do need a separate, smaller
music class? The community I am focusing on here is mainly elementary education. It is a
community I have much experience in, both as a “big sister” and an assistant music teacher. I
feel comfortable with this age group and hope to spend the majority of my career working with
elementary aged students, which is why integrated music classrooms is such an important topic
for me. By starting the integration process at a younger age, students will understand how to
interact with others that have different needs than them and vice versa. I hope to learn more
about successfully integrating the classroom and ways to break down the barrier that exists
between “special education students” and just “students.”

Daveson, B. & Edwards, J. (1998) A Role for Music Therapy in Special Education,
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 45:4, 449-457, DOI:
10.1080/1034912980450407

Idol, L. (2006). Toward Inclusion of Special Education Students in General Education.

Remedial and Special Education,​ ​27(​ 2), 77-94.
doi:10.1177/07419325060270020601

Kostka, M. J. (1993). A Comparison of Selected Behaviors of a Student with Autism in

Special Education and Regular Music Classes. ​Music Therapy Perspectives,​ ​11(​ 2),
57-60. doi:10.1093/mtp/11.2.57

Salvador, K. (2010). Who Isn’t a Special Learner? A Survey of How Music Teacher
Education Programs Prepare Future Educators to Work With Exceptional
Populations. ​Journal of Music Teacher Education,​ ​20(​ 1), 27-38.
doi:10.1177/1057083710362462