Changes in the educational system have been begun throughout our nation, attempting to improve our students’ education and ultimately, their test scores. Special education has also gone through much change since the first authorization of public law 94-142 to the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.). We are now continuing much change with the implementations of the “No Child Left Behind Act,” but what many school systems haven’t changed (or tried) is educating all students together, no matter the disability. The overwhelming thought is to contain students who have disabilities in another classroom, providing remediation.
Unfortunately, as a special educator, I have seen too many cases of the special education room "dumbing down" our students. As I reflect on my years of teaching, I think of 1 year where I saw students whom I served really succeed and improve their skills. One was way back in the 1997-1998 school year, where I had the awesome opportunity to serve students with learning disabilities in a regular English 9 class. What occured was absolutely amazing! The teacher was so welcoming to ALL students. I had students who had completed reading assessments at the 1st grade level, yet when they attended this class, excelled! My role in this class was one more of supporter and accomodater. I would adapt assignments as needed, and I would help students who needed assistance. After a year spent away from teaching, I returned, but focused my attention to serving students with cognitive and physical disabilities (or multiple disabilites). Since then, I have been more of a self-contained teacher...despite attempts at including students in elective classes and some core classes, I have yet to achieve what I did that year in 97-98. Last year I worked with our drama teacher and watched students who had not been given much of a chance to attend "regular" courses succeed.
What we continue to do in our schools is not working... Statistics have shown that people with disabilities have a 75% unemployment rate. Why then, is this typical method of serving students with disabilities (self-contained) not being challenged moreso?
As Dr. Schwarz said this past weekend, "The world is not self-contained." So, why do we continue on this path? How do I help to convince other educators that people with disabilities, no matter the "severity" can be taught in the same environment/classroom???
Unfortunately, as a special educator, I have seen too many cases of the special education room "dumbing down" our students. As I reflect on my years of teaching, I think of 1 year where I saw students whom I served really succeed and improve their skills. One was way back in the 1997-1998 school year, where I had the awesome opportunity to serve students with learning disabilities in a regular English 9 class. What occured was absolutely amazing! The teacher was so welcoming to ALL students. I had students who had completed reading assessments at the 1st grade level, yet when they attended this class, excelled! My role in this class was one more of supporter and accomodater. I would adapt assignments as needed, and I would help students who needed assistance. After a year spent away from teaching, I returned, but focused my attention to serving students with cognitive and physical disabilities (or multiple disabilites). Since then, I have been more of a self-contained teacher...despite attempts at including students in elective classes and some core classes, I have yet to achieve what I did that year in 97-98. Last year I worked with our drama teacher and watched students who had not been given much of a chance to attend "regular" courses succeed.
What we continue to do in our schools is not working... Statistics have shown that people with disabilities have a 75% unemployment rate. Why then, is this typical method of serving students with disabilities (self-contained) not being challenged moreso?
As Dr. Schwarz said this past weekend, "The world is not self-contained." So, why do we continue on this path? How do I help to convince other educators that people with disabilities, no matter the "severity" can be taught in the same environment/classroom???
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