The Importance Of Special Education

For the state of Indiana as an administrator I need to familiarize myself with the Special Education Rules Title 511 Article 7 Rules 32-49 (Indiana Dept. of Ed, 2014). Article 7 was brought to my attention by my special education coordinator at Laurel School Mrs. Christy Sheehan. This article will help me access the guidelines of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and the Individual Education Programs (IEP) along with the instruction from Mrs. Sheehan. This article will help me indicate what key areas I need to know as a future administrator. As I become an administrator I know I will have to familiarize myself with the entire 134 page article, but for now I will focus in on five areas. This article and area of study is new to me being a physical education teacher that isn’t familiar with all the laws of special education. It can be overwhelming looking into this document, but as an administrator I need to familiarize myself with all aspects of education.

The pros and cons of the inclusion of special education students in the public school system.

When Public Law 94-142 was passed in 1975 it had a positive impact on the education for children with disabilities. Millions of children in the United States were supported by the law. These children had previously been excluded entirely from the education system.

Osborne, A. G., & Russo, C. J. (2007). Special Education and The Law: A Guide for Practitioners (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press

* Special education teachers must know legal liabilities and rights pertaining to student, parent, and teachers. Special education teachers recognize that special education practice is heavily regulated and are able to define relevant laws and policies that related to specific special education. (APTS 8, 9; INTASC 1; CEC 1, 9)

Rules, regulations, and federal laws for special education have improved as the years have gone by. This essay will indicate how educators teaching special education must comprehend the mandates of the Individual with Disability Act (IDEA), student and parental rights. This essay will also explain how court cases (past and present) and IDEA has given special education students the ability to receive a Free Appropriate Education (FAPE). My interview with Ms. Patricia Pritchett, Coordinator of Special Education in DeKalb County School District, was able to give me information and guidelines in reference to their county procedures and policies for the special education department. The interview with Ms. Pritchett gave me insight as to special education legal framework and how the constant changes that affects students with disabilities and regular education students.

In what type of school do you teach? (Type an “X” next to the appropriate description; if “other” applies, provide a brief description.)

Some people may think that special education has been established since the beginning of public education. Others may consider a time when special education did not exist and students with disabilities were not able to attend school. The truth is, there was a time when this happened; these students were not allowed to be educated in the general education classroom alongside their peers. People with disabilities were treated differently, and some were forced into institutions because teachers and staff found them to be disturbances to their peers. Luckily, special education has come a long way since public education began. People, especially parents, advocated for their children, and today many laws are in place to ensure that all children

There have been many changes in education over the last twenty seven years, especially in the area of Special Education. There has been constant revisions of the laws both at the government level and at the state levels. With each revision comes new hope for students who have disabilities. Being part of these experiences have helped in leading others through this profession. Through shared visions and inclusive actions by parents, administrators, advocacy groups, and more, students with disabilities continue to gain more chances at opportunities to live very productive lives. These advancements are, in large part, due to people willing to sacrifice time and energy promoting student rights. Going through the different experiences in this field, how situations are handled, continues to change, and for the most part, they change for the better. This could be due to different advocacy agencies campaigning on how the needs of the students come first.

Funding for special education students is, and historically, has always been, a complicated issue. Most people believe the federal government funds special education in the United States. “Understanding Special Education Funding” (2009), states that, on average, most states estimate that the federal government provides less than 15% of the money needed to fund special education services. This, in turn, leaves local school systems responsible for funding the remaining portion of special education services. This paper examines the history of special education laws and funding, the wide variance of funding that exists from state to state, and the problems created by a lack of funding.

There are millions of children that are passing through the United States school system every day, not all children possess the same traits, and not all children can learn at the same rate, and do not perform at the same ability. The fact that all children learn differently and some have difficulties learning in general classrooms, special education was put into place to try and take care of these issues. Special education programs were put into place to help all students with disabilities. These children range from general disabilities to more complex and severe disabilities. There has been a revolution occurring in the past several years with education systems, and special education. There have now been several laws that have been

Special Education is a topic of controversy with many advocates fighting for the justice children and adults with special needs so rightfully deserve. With laws being passed and modified so frequently, it is important that the educators being brought into the world have an extensive knowledge of the developmental needs of many different types of children. With this knowledge and their constant measures to keep up to date with the fast-moving world of education, they will be able to deliver an appropriate atmosphere that is in accordance with the law that ensures ethical practices and guidelines are always being followed.

Special education has faced many changes during the last century. During this time there have been many opinions on the way students with differences should be taught and treated. This paper will discuss the history of special education during the twentieth century. We will also discuss the laws associated with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Finally we will discuss the current and future challenges that the laws have on special education.

When I was younger you could have asked me what I wanted to be and you would think that it might have been the same answers every little girl gives. But not me. I was different, I didn’t want to be a princess, a celebrity, an astronaut or even a famous singer. No, I wanted to be a special needs teacher. People have asked me, “Why teach special needs kids?” And I simply tell them, “There is something special about them that makes me want to be around them. I want to help them learn new things”. Kids with special needs hold a big portion of my heart. “Why?” you might ask. Well, special needs kids have always been extremely important to me. The number one reason I love kids with special needs is because of my twin sister. My twin sister has a rare syndrome called Smith-Magenis Syndrome. It is especially rare for only one of the twins to have the syndrome and the other one to not have it.

Special education creates opportunities for students, parents, teachers and related staff and administrators to work together to improve educational results students with disabilities. IEPs and 504s are the plans that help educators to develop education for each student with disabilities. The IEP is an important legal document that handles issues in special education properly. There are so many rules that school personnel must follow. In this assignment, I will identify effective procedures for documentation and remediation of the teacher, her behaviors and the allegations about her regarding a special education student.