Grace Wheeler

Extended Inquiry Proposal

February 5, 2017

Topic: Developing Special Education in Guatemala

Exigency: Every child should have the right and access to education whether they do or do not
have a disability.
Potential/Relevant Audience: Parents of children with disabilities, principles in Guatemala or
even in the US,
Context: This situation could be much broader. For example, special education does not exist in
many third world countries so it is relevant to all places that do not have educational standard for
children with disabilities.

The Need for Special Education in Guatemala

When I began thinking about what I wanted to do my Extended Inquiry Project on, I

immediately thought of Special Education. This topic is very important to me because I have a

brother with Down-Syndrome who is very special to me. Here in the states, we already have a

very impressive system set up for children with disabilities and it improves year after year, but it

has not always been that way. Over many decades, our government and School of Education

Board have worked to improve the way of living and the futures of those with disabilities. As I

have shared in past journal entries, I also have a heart for Guatemala and children there. I work

in a school in Guatemala City, teaching students, and some of these students have disabilities.

The difference is, that these students do not have specialized programs, IEP meetings, or

financial support from the government to help these students succeed.

Education is a obviously important in every country, but I had to narrow down the topic

so I chose to focus on a country that I know about and have a connection to. Now, I do know that

there are some schools in Guatemala for kids with disabilities, but these schools are not funded

by the government are there are hardly any special education teachers or classrooms in the
Grace Wheeler

Extended Inquiry Proposal

February 5, 2017

country. For my Extended Inquiry Project, I want to focus on so much, but I know that a topic as

big as The Need for Special Ed in Guatemala must be narrowed down. So, with the research I

have already done, I have found that special education does exist and is free to students with

disabilities but the issue is that the teachers are not educated to teach, leaving 95% of children

with disabilities without education. I want to focus on how to get teachers educated and class

rooms opened for children with disabilities. If teachers have the proper training, more classrooms

will be open and provide a larger opportunity for children with disabilities.

Problem Statements:

Special Education is important in all cultures and students are not given equal education

opportunities in third world countries, but most countries do not have the resources to provide

special ed for students.

Teachers must be trained in order for special education to become more accesible for

families that have children with disabilities.

Questions:

How can I make the topic of special education urgent to people who do not have children with

disabilities?

Why has the government not created more strategies for people with disabilities in their

countries?

Will universities be able to provide the proper curriculum to train teachers in special education?

How long will it take to implement that curriculum in the universities?

Grace Wheeler

Extended Inquiry Proposal

February 5, 2017