Special Education (Also Education, Aided Education, Exceptional Education, Special Ed. or SPED) Is The Practice of Educating Students in

Special education (also known as special-needs education, aided
education, exceptional education, special ed. or SPED) is the practice of educating students in
a way that addresses their individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the
individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted
equipment and materials, and accessible settings. These interventions are designed to help
individuals with special needs achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in
school and in their community which may not be available if the student were only given access
to a typical classroom education.
Special education includes learning disabilities (such as dyslexia), communication
disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders (such as ADHD), physical disabilities (such
as osteogenesis imperfecta, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and Friedreich's
ataxia), and developmental disabilities (such as autism spectrum disorders and intellectual
disability) and many other disabilities. Students with these kinds of disabilities are likely to
benefit from additional educational services such as different approaches to teaching, the use of
technology, a specifically adapted teaching area, or a resource room.
Intellectual giftedness is a difference in learning and can also benefit from specialized
teaching techniques or different educational programs, but the term "special education" is
generally used to specifically indicate instruction of students with disabilities. Gifted education is
handled separately.
Whereas special education is designed specifically for students with learning
disabilities, remedial education can be designed for any students, with or without special needs;
the defining trait is simply that they have reached a point of unpreparedness, regardless of why.
For example, even people of high intelligence can be under-prepared if their education was
disrupted, for example, by internal displacement during civil disorder or a war.
In most developed countries, educators modify teaching methods and environments so that the
maximum numbers of students are served in general education environments. Therefore, special
education in developed countries is often regarded as a service rather than a place. Integration
can reduce social stigmas and improve academic achievement for many students.
The opposite of special education is general education. General education is the
standard curriculum presented without special teaching methods or supports. Students receiving
special education services can sometimes enroll in a General education setting to learn along
with students without disabilities.
A Brief History of Special Education in the United States
Special education came into existence almost exclusively within the last 50 years. Taking
a moment to learn about special education history in the U.S. will help you understand where the
families of your students are coming from and help give you a clearer picture of where the
industry has been—and where it has yet to go.
If you are considering entering the field of special education, you are taking advantage of an
opportunity not afforded to people in previous generations. Learn from special education history
and take it where you think it should go.
Hard-Won Progress
With the abundance of special education resources and programs available today, it can
be surprising to learn how recent most of our country’s advancement in special education has
been.
But for nearly 200 years after the United States was established in 1776, little was done to
advance the rights of its disabled students. In fact, over 4.5 million children were denied
adequate schooling before legislation to ensure equal educational opportunities for special
education children began in the early 1970s.* This was a dark period in special education
history.
But once legislation began, a steady stream of mandates, laws and decisions presented
special needs students with opportunities previously unheard of. Suddenly, the foundation of a
quality, individualized education in an accepting, unrestricted environment made independent
living an option.
These hard-won victories were a culmination of decades of advocacy and dedication that
helped build the rich selection of special education resources in the United States today.
Grass Roots Beginnings
But special education history didn’t stop there. The first advocacy groups to fight for
quality special education were made up of parents whose children were marginalized as far back
as 1933.
The majority of these family associations began making waves in the 1950s when their
lobbying encouraged the passage of laws that provided training for teachers who worked with
deaf, hard-of-hearing or intellectually disabled students (historically called “mentally
retarded”).**
In the 1960s, multiple laws were passed, granting funds for special education students.
The States’ Place in Special Education History
In the early 1970s, multiple landmark court decisions giving states the responsibility to
provide special education resources and schooling to students in need of it. These decisions
altered the entire landscape of special education history in our country.
Currently, state and local institutions provide 91 percent of special education funding, while
federal funds take care of the remaining 9 percent when states meet federal criteria.
This balance allows for the varying special education programs you’ll find across the country, as
well as the uniform regulations that hold states to certain standards and encourage excellence in
teaching.
The 1970s: Foundational Years
The 1970s brought more significant improvement to the lives of special education
students than any other decade in special education history. First, the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 guaranteed civil rights to all disabled people and required accommodations for disabled
students in schools.
Then, in 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) guaranteed and
enforced the right of children with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate education.
With the dual purpose of providing unique educational opportunities suited to the needs
of disabled students and delivering it in the “least restrictive environment” possible, this law is
still the foundation of modern-day special education history in the U.S. today.
IDEA Revolutionizes the Industry
During its reauthorization in 1997, EHA underwent a number of substantial revisions and
became known as theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA emphasized the
use of individual education plans, or IEPs, for all special education students.
IDEA also initiated the use of individualized transition plans, or ITPs, to best prepare students
for success in their adult lives.
The onset of IDEA brought about a widespread focus on providing the best-researched,
most effective methods for special education teaching. Now, not only were students guaranteed
an equal education, they were provided with viable schooling options and the individualized
attention they needed. This was a very positive step in special education history.
IDEA took many of the aims represented in EHA and brought them to life by providing
applicable standards and structure to its best intentions.
Special Education Teaching Today
In 2001 and 2004, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) provided further accountability
to schools and added technology assistance and loan programs to help schools acquire needed
special education resources.
Now that the basic rights are set in place, advocacy groups similar to those first started in
1933 are forming to put forth legislation. These groups work toward a number of differing goals
in regard to teaching methods, the recognition of certain disabilities and greater choice in
schools.
Regardless of the direction these take, educators, lawmakers and advocacy groups
continue to streamline disability classifications as the public becomes more aware of politically
correct terminology.
If special education is your passion, get your teacher training and certification, and start
making a difference today.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Special Education (Also Education, Aided Education, Exceptional Education, Special Ed. or SPED) Is The Practice of Educating Students in

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Special Education (Also Education, Aided Education, Exceptional Education, Special Ed. or SPED) Is The Practice of Educating Students in

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Special Education (Also Education, Aided Education, Exceptional Education, Special Ed. or SPED) Is The Practice of Educating Students in

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Special education (also known as special-needs education, aided

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You might also like