To Separate or Not to Separate: A Comparative Look at Education in Northern Ireland and the Special Education System in the United States

This paper explores the current debate around the education system in Northern Ireland as part of the peace process in its post-conflict society. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of integrated and shared education through anecdotes, reflections, observations, and discussions based on experiences in Northern Ireland. This paper also sets out to compare these systems to the debate around full and partial inclusion of students with disabilities in the United States, also discussing the advantages and disadvantages through scholarly articles, observations, and analysis. Finally, it examines the relationship between the two countries and the necessary next steps in terms of policy and action.