One of the most controversial issues facing educators today is the topic of educating students with disabilities, particularly through the concept of inclusion. Inclusion is defined as every student being part of the class and working together, regardless of whether or not the child has learning difficulties (Farmer) (Inclusion: Where We've Been.., 2005, para. 5). The mentally retarded population has both low IQ and an inability to perform daily functions. Activities such as eating, dressing, walking and, in some cases, speaking may be futile for a child with mental retardation. School for disabled people requires a special environment, which only a few teachers have the gift of caring for. Instead of taking care of the child's needs, the government focuses on passing grades and social skills. Children with mental retardation require a highly trained special education teacher, patience for behavioral problems, and must also pass standardized tests; public education for these students moves at a faster pace than they can understand and lacks the personal focus they would otherwise get in a special needs classroom. Early special education students included deaf, blind, and later mentally retarded. If a person was afflicted with the curse of mental retardation, it was commonly believed that it was demonic possession (Farmer) (Inclusion: Where We've Been.., 2005, para. 2). . It was not until the twentieth century that these students were taught in an educational environment. Realizing that the mentally disabled needed a unique education, the government began to take action. In the 1990s, federal and supreme courts began to take an interest in improving special education. The laws began to take effect almost... halfway down the page... c. 2000. 239-259. University of Washington School of Law. March 17, 2011. Farmer, Marie S. “Inclusion: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, Where We Are Going.” March 2005. Georgia College and State University. March 17, 2011.Harchik, Alan. “Including children with special needs in mainstream classes: pros and cons” News for parents. 2005. May Institute. March 18, 2011. Lazarus, Belinda D. “What is Inclusion?” Making inclusion work. February 2001. University of Michigan-Dearborn. 18 Mar 2011.Le Fave, Dominic. No Child Left Behind and Special Education Explained. August 23, 2010. Philosophographlux. March 29 2011.