Five Things to Know about Special Education?

Answer 1

Special education has a prominent place in schools today. There are five things everyone should know about special education as it relates to special education students, teachers, and learning styles.

First, students who fall into the special education category for a disability have a document called an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) which identifies the disability, sets goals for the student, and mandates what types of accommodations and modifications teachers must make in the classroom to help these students learn in the most effective way possible.

The second fact to know is that special education students have the right to learn in the least restrictive environment. This could be in an inclusion classroom with a content teacher and an inclusion teacher or this could be in a self-contained classroom with a special education teacher and an aide. Other options are available. For example, a student may need the assistance of a behavioral aide who follows the child in the general curriculum.

Another important point is that children with special needs may have different learning styles than their peers. Diverse learners may not succeed in classrooms in which the teachers rely heavily on direct instruction. It is important for educators to realize they must use a variety of instructional models to teach this population. Teachers will have to use hands-on teaching methodologies or inquiry based learning to meet the diverse learning needs of this group of children.

Fourth, special education students may have additional needs than their nondisabled peers. Some students may need outside counseling services, speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or a host of other services. In order to meet the needs of special education students, the teacher may also have to make some modifications inside the classroom. For example, a child may need the use of a calculator when one is not normally permitted or a visual aide to help with reading comprehension.

The fifth and most important fact to note is that the special education child should not be excluded from any school activity, class, or trip because of a disability. The school system must, by law, accommodate and teach every child. Every child should be included.