Integration of children with special needs has been a huge controversy in the field of education. Many students with disabilities require special attention and need to be in an environment where teachers can meet these needs. According to the opposition, placing disabled and non-disabled children in the same class will increase academic engagement and reduce problem behaviour. However, educators demonstrate that children with special needs are bullied, still lag behind their non-disabled peers in academic achievement, and are more likely to drop out of school. (Citation required) Integrating children will promote childhood bullying and persistent stereotypes that undermine their ability to compete in the classroom. The debate on the integration of children with disabilities challenges the idea of ​​having a closed environment in which they can learn effectively. University of Missouri, College of Education states: "The term 'special needs' is used to collectively define those who require assistance due to physical, mental, behavioral, or medical disabilities or delays" (.) Opponents who encourage mainstreaming argue that mainstreaming special needs of children is beneficial. They argue that children with disabilities should receive equivalent access to public education and not be left behind because of an impairment. Many also take issue with attempts that should be made to develop tests to measure academic performance. Aron and Loprest state that “special education reform cannot be done in isolation; requires integration with ongoing reforms in general education” (116). However, there are many problems that the education system will face if children with disabilities are integrated into standard classes. If children with disabilities are not isolated, then the behavioral problem... middle of paper...nt tends to be extremely lower than the average for students their age. They learn at a slower pace than the rest of their adolescence, and it would be absurd to keep them in fast-paced classes where they are unable to understand any material. These students would not only be left behind, but they would not feel as intelligent because they cannot assimilate the material as quickly as the kids around them. Opponents of integrating children with special needs dispute that students with disabilities “should be held to different standards while maintaining progress toward goals” (Aron et al. 112). Between the 1990s and 2000s, the U.S. Department of Education made changes to testing for students with disabilities. However, different states identify their students differently, and there would still be issues in the system, such as what accommodations should be made.