When to include special needs students in regular classes?

When is it the right time to include special needs students in regular classrooms?  There are people that support both sides of the issue.  The first side is including them in the regular classroom.  Many people believe that this is the right way to teach and that "good" teachers can get through to them and make it okay.  The other view is to separate them into their own classrooms.  The belief is that by including them the schools are forcing one group to conform to another. 

I have mixed feelings when it comes to inclusion.  I believe that if the student can function somewhat normally with other students than they should be in included in the regular classrooms.  If the student struggles and needs a lot more one on one time they should be separated to their own classroom where they can get the attention that they need. 

I beleive it is important to include students in the classroom with the other because it will teach them the social skills that they will need later in life.  Eventually they are going to be out in the real world but if not included with other students will have an even harder time.  I also think that the students that are separated from the others should be included in the specialist classes like phys ed and art.  This way they can still get the interaction with the other students that they need. 

http://www.weac.org/Issues_Advocacy/Resource_Pages_On_Issues_one/Special_Education/special_education_inclusion.aspx