This dilemma asks us to consider the plight of Jennifer Curry, a first-grade teacher in a regular education classroom. Jennifer has agreed to the enrollment a child with autism in her regular education classroom. While Jennifer is open to inclusion of special needs children in regular education classrooms, she is nervous about being responsible for the autistic child since she has limited knowledge of autism.

After other teachers find out what Jennifer has agreed to, she is confronted by teachers who do not want special needs children in their classrooms. One teacher tells Jennifer, “You need to go to the principal and tell her you won’t do this. If you agree to take a kid with autism, pretty soon we will all be given a difficult child to teach.” Now Jennifer is trying to decide what to do? Her choices are:



---to tell the principal she has changed her mind and does not want the autistic child in her classroom
----to tell the principal other teachers are bullying her to not take the autistic child in her classroom
---to tell the other teachers to mind their own business
----to read her teacher contract to find out what to do
-----to find another job

1-----Do you see any other choices for Jennifer?
2----Look at each choice and discuss if each decision would be a wise choice. Which choices do you feel are ethical and logical?
3----How will Jennifer’s decision impact her relationship with her co-workers, her principal, and the autistic child.
4----Think about the dilemma and decide what you would do in this situation.
5-----What are some of the advantages and challenges of inclusive classrooms for all children enrolled?
6----In this situation, can Jennifer change her mind on having the autistic child enrolled in her classroom?
7----How does Jennifer’s decision relate to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and to the Six Standards of Professional Development? What principles or ideals found in the Code of Conduct address this situation?
8---Refer to Section I of the Code of Ethical Conduct: Ethical Responsibilities to Children and specifically, to Principle P-1.3 “We shall not participate in practices that discriminate against children by denying benefits, giving special advantages, or excluding them from programs or activities on the basis of their sex, race, national origin, religious beliefs, medical condition, disability, or the marital status/family structure, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs or other affiliations of their families.” How does this Principle direct Jennifer’s behavior and does this Principle guide Jennifer in the choice she will make to resolve her dilemma?
9=-----As a follow-up, can Principle P-1.7 “We shall strive to build individual relationships with each child; make individualized adaptations in teaching strategies, learning environments, and curricula; and consult with the family so that each child benefits from the program. If after such efforts have been exhausted, the current placement does not meet a child’s needs, or the child is seriously jeopardizing the ability of other children to benefit from the program, we shall collaborate with the child’s family and appropriate specialists to determine the additional services needed and/or the placement option(s) most likely to ensure the child’s success” support Jennifer’s decision?