Mainstream Schools: Which school is best for Disabled students?

Parents with disabled students are faced with the decision of what school to place their student into. They have the option of being in a mainstream school or in a classroom with other disabled students.
In a classroom with normal students, they will gain the social aspect they need. They will be able to grow and mature and become more like normal students. If they are placed into a pull out classroom, they will lack the social aspect, but they will gain a better education from teachers who specialize in special education. Parents have the responsibility to decide which they feel is best for their student.
At some point in everyone’s lives, they come in contact with a person who struggles from some kind of disorder. For me, I have come in contact more than once. My cousin has Down syndrome. So over the years, I have gradually become accustomed to her differences. Seeing her grow up, I have become interested in disabled students. Through my research, I have found the topic of whether students with disabilities to be put into classes with “normal” kids. In 1975, Congress passed a law stating that all disabled students have the right to free appropriate public education. In this law, students have the right to go to public schools and receive education, either in a normal classroom, or in a separate handicapped classroom which the schools will provide. Because of this law, handicapped students are allowed to decide if they would rather be in inclusion classrooms, mainstreamed classrooms, or pull out classrooms. This law gives these students the same rights and education as any other student. Inclusion classes are classrooms where disabled students are completely incorporated and involved in all “normal” classrooms. Mainstream classrooms are classrooms where disabled students are in both special education classes and normal classes. (Congress, 2010)

Lines of Argument My cousin Megan has Down syndrome. When she was entering Middle school her parents were confronted with the decision of whether to put her into a separate pulled out classroom or mix her into classes with other public school students.
It is important for students with disabilities to be able to receive both sides of education. Through my research, I have come to the conclusion that students with disabilities need to be in a mainstream classrooms. For fundamental classes, like math, English and so on, they should be in a separate classroom with disabled students, but for elective classes, they should be integrated with the other students in a public school. It is important for them to be able to be around other students their age, but also be able to be in a separate classroom and get the fundamentals with other disabled students like themselves.
Mainstreaming maintain that special needs students should not be segregated from the rest of a school. Before mainstreaming became widespread, advocates say, special needs students spent most of their time in small classrooms, interacting only with fellow disabled students. Those conditions are liable to severely damage their self-esteem and confidence. (Facts, 2009)
When a student is left in one classroom all day with only students who have disabilities themselves, they may be hindered. When a student is around disabled students are they are not as severe as the others, they may become less confident about themselves. Along with this, being in the same classroom cooped up might also cause damage to them. People need variety and changes during the day. I know when I am cooped up in a classroom for a long period of time I tend to become discouraged, everyone does to some point. Being able to switch classes and interact with others will help them to find more self-confidence and be genuinely happier.
The topic of handicapped students gaining social skills is mentioned quite a bit. According to Helium, “Special needs