Main Stream option?

[Incy]

I agree with organic, there has been a fair amount of 'undercurrent' to what should really be a 'discussion' about how children are educated (and how it is funded).

I have to disagree. There has not really been an undercurrent, there have been some fairly frank and even strong replies to the original post, which given the wording, I fail to see how it could ever create a useful discussion about how children are educated or about the funding.
Although this thread has caused some heat, the actual question as quoted below asks why parents of disabled children should have any say in the education of their children.

...This is just briefly the situation but this is where I stick my neck out and ask "why oh why, whilst there are educational facilities available for those poor souls with mental and physical problems are parents given the option to send them to main stream schools....

Is it possible to retract this choice by parents and make the classroom a fun and safe place for our children to be educated once more.

Perhaps the intentions were different but this is what was written, not 'is the funding there?' or 'is the education system working?'.
In truth, I don't think any of us have actually answered the question asked. We have all interpreted it depending on our own experiences and views and yes it is a sensitive subject and has therefore attracted some emotive replies.

In reality, parents of disabled children actually have very little choice over whether their child is in mainstream or a special school, a lot depends on what is available in their area -some areas are better than others.
It is not a case of special educational establishments being available to any disabled child whose parents so choose, or indeed of mainstream being available to any child whose parents choose that option.
Sadly most of us have to fight constantly for our children to get a decent education or the help they need. As has been said, a lot of progress has been made but we are not there yet and only time and goodwill (As well as appropriately used funding) will get us there.