Inclusion... We Still have a long way to go.

When it comes to inclusion, there are basically 2 models that are looked at.  First is the "push in" model which has the SPED teacher coming into a general education class to help in providing instruction and support to the student and perhaps the teacher. A key to this model is the differentiated learning approach to education that has the general education and the special education teacher providing a range of activities and the use of a variety of teaching strategies for children with different abilities. Students in the "push in" model may be included for part or all of the day. Many times students are included for certain classes.
The other inclusion model is called "full inclusion". This model has students with special needs included full time in the general education class and the general education teacher is the teacher of record for this child.  This approach has many challenges, first and foremost the challange of truely meeting the needs of all students. Some students with special needs will be able to benefit from inclusion in the general education class while others may not really gain from being placed in the general education classroom.
My big concern with inclusion is that we seem to be focusing on the physical placement of the student instead of what we need to be focusing on educationally for this student to reach his/her potential. With NCLB, we have lost functional curriculum approaches and have made a push for more of a one set of standards fits all approach to education. I just keep thinking about after school for these students and I can not help but think that them sitting in an Algebra class and not really benefitting from it is not going to help them if they can not understand even some of the basic concepts of math and money.  In the vision education world we have what is called expanded core curriculum which focuses on the life concepts that students with vision impairments will need to be more independent in life.  I feel that we need this for all students, especailly for those with special needs. What are your thoughts on inclusion?