Successful inclusion

What would you identify as the characteristics of a student with special needs who has been successfully included in the general education environment?

I would look for a pattern of academic and behavioral successes. A point often neglected is the present "feelings" of the student toward such placement. When a student, especially a young adolescent, experiences continual frustration and academic failure (or perceived failure) the devastation can last a lifetime. In our zeal to be (nice, fair, American, inclusive, understanding, etc.) we have done a huge mis-service. Successes must be engineered, not concocted from air.

author - Great Leaps