Kristie Blizzard January 16, 2012 EDUC 283 Dr.

Margie Jones

What is Special Education?

Special Education is an intervention to help children with disabilities overcome obstacles that might hinder them from learning and participating actively in school and society. It is individually planned, specially designed, and intensive instruction for each individual child with disabilities. There are different perspectives of special education. There are laws and instructional interventions that define if a child with disabilities should be placed in a general education classroom or an inclusive classroom. There are also many challenges that are faced each day in the field of special education. Special education is complex and can be viewed from many different perspectives. It can be regarded as legislatively governed with due process issues which inform parents of their right to make decisions about their childrens education programs. This includes the school districts Individualized Education Program required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It can also be seen from a sociopolitical perspective where special education is seen as a product of the civil rights movement, a demonstration of societys changing views about people with

disabilities. Each of these perspectives continues to play an important role in special education. However, neither perspective views its purpose as instructionally based intervention. One intervention in which educators can provide an appropriate program where the child can make educational progress is the Least Restrictive Environment. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that all students with disabilities be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment. A Least Restrictive Environment is the educational setting that is the closest to a regular school program and that meets the special educational needs of the child. The general education classroom is the Least Restrictive Environment for most students with disabilities; however the LRE is a relative concept that can change over time to meet the childs individual needs. The Individualized Education Program determines the proper placement for a child with disabilities. The general education classroom is the starting point for the IEP teams placement of the student. The IEP team must reevaluate the childs plan periodically to determine if the child should be placed in a different environment for success. The general education classroom is not always the Least Restrictive Environment for the student with disabilities. This happens only when the nature or severity of the childs disability prohibits education in regular classes when the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. When a student with disabilities cannot reach full educational achievement in a general education classroom, another placement can be in an inclusive classroom. Two elements should be in place for special education to be appropriate in an inclusive classroom. One element is to hold all students in the group accountable. Each student must contribute to the group in his or her own specific way to be successful. Another element is to promote positive interdependence.

This is where all members of the group work together to earn grades, rewards, or other recognition for the success of the group. Even though each of these laws and interventions are in place to help each students individual needs, there are still some challenges that are faced in the field of special education. Most states say that the federal government has inadequately funded the high costs of educating students with disabilities. When congress passed the IDEA, it promised to provide federal funds for 40% of the excess costs, but so far have only averaged 18% nationally. Special education teachers are unhappy with the amount of paperwork, unclear guidelines, and inappropriate grouping of students with disabilities. General education teachers complain that they have little to no support and little training for children with disabilities in their classrooms. There are many other challenges that need to be resolved. Special education is a very serious matter. It is imperative for students with disabilities to receive the proper education to be successful. The laws and interventions provided cannot be successful without the help of the government agencies financial aid. There also needs to be professional, parental, family, and student involvement in order for achievement. Educators must realize that the most vital instrument in the effectiveness of special education is the quality of instruction that the students receive. More challenges must be resolved to make special education more beneficial to those who need it most.