Lessons on Inclusivity from Educating Peter

Educating Peter and Graduating Peter

The films Educating Peter and Graduating Peter help to show some of the benefits and limitations of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA mandates that all students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. This means that students with disabilities have the right to be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. This inclusive education not only helps students with disabilities to receive an education, but also provides opportunities for them to interact with their non-disabled peers and develop social skills.

However, the responsibility for implementing IDEA falls on the individual states and school districts. Some school districts may not have the resources or expertise to provide the necessary special education services and accommodations for students with disabilities, which can lead to a lack of access to the education and services to which they are entitled. Plus, in some cases, students with disabilities may feel stigmatized by the label of special education. This can lead to a reluctance to seek out the special education services and accommodations they need to be successful in school.

With the Peter films, we see how Peter and his family navigate the challenges of the school system and the attitudes of some of the teachers and students. There are challenges that all have to face—but in the end it is worth it, as Graduating Peter shows. It also shows how Peter's inclusion in a regular classroom benefits both him and his classmates. The film highlights the importance of inclusive education and the need for teachers and schools to understand and accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. In terms of promoting understanding and acceptance of students with disabilities, the two films succeed well and suggest that IDEA can be implemented successfully in spite of resistance and challenges.