mainstream
MAYN-streem
/ˈmeɪn.striːm/
To integrate students with special educational needs into standard, non-specialized general education classrooms.
Historically focuses on placing students in general classes, sometimes requiring the student to adapt to the classroom.
The story behind the word. Originally a geographical metaphor referring to the primary current of a river, 'mainstream' entered sociology and education in the mid-20th century to describe the dominant cultural or educational environment into which specialized groups were merged.
Word relationships
- integrate: 'Integrate' refers broadly to combining separate groups, whereas 'mainstream' specifically denotes moving special education students into standard classrooms.
- segregate: 'Segregate' means keeping students with special needs in completely separate, isolated educational facilities.
Commonly confused with
- inclusive: 'Mainstream' places a student into an existing system, whereas 'inclusive' restructures the classroom so it naturally suits everyone.
Word family
- mainstreaming (noun): The policy or practice of placing special needs students in regular classes.
Collocations
- mainstream education
- mainstream setting
- mainstream students
- mainstream curriculum
Example sentences
- "The school board decided to mainstream students with mild learning differences for academic subjects." School Administration
Memory hook
MAINSTREAM brings students into the MAIN STREAM of general education. Guiding learners into the main river current of standard schooling.
When not to use
Do not confuse with full 'inclusion' if the placement lacks appropriate adaptive resources or peer support.
Fun facts
- Mainstreaming gained massive momentum following the US Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975.
- Modern educators often prefer the term 'inclusion' over 'mainstreaming' because inclusion emphasizes modifying the environment.
Related words
Explore more words
offbeat, unconventional, norm, norms, avant-garde, eccentric
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