WHERE DO MEXICO AND CHILE STAND ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION?

This paper discusses the background, current situation and challenges of educational integration and inclusive education in Mexico and Chile. These countries obtained similar low results on the academic achievement of their students (Mexico last and Chile second last) among OECD countries; and above average scores, among Latin American countries. In both countries educational integration began as a consequence of legal changes mandating that students with special educational needs (SEN) be attended in regular schools. School financial systems in Mexico and Chile are very different. In Mexico, educational services are predominantly public, while in Chile the state provides subsidies for students to attend both public and private schools. These differences have had an impact in educational integration procedures. In Mexico, students with special educational needs are served by special education professionals affiliated to the schools. In Chile, school principals hire, with the subvention provided by the government, specialists to offer support to the students enrolled. In both countries, educational integration has benefited integrated students. However, many adjustments still need to be made in both countries in order to install more adequate inclusive processes.