Blog #8
Are Schools Providing the Best Special Education Services for all Students?
In our society today everyone is aware of the inequalities that happen in school systems. People have come to believe that if the students are from a lower socio-economic family then it is all right for their school system to lack adequate teachers, facilities, materials and services.
Numerous questions come to mind with such a broad topic. The issue that I will address is that all special education children should receive the same services and rights. If a child that is in need of services has a knowledgeable parent then that parent will truly fight for their child’s rights. These parents know the importance of bringing an advocate to Special Education meetings. They fight for what they believe will be the best delivery of services for their child. Let’s look at the other side of the issue to me called “social injustice.” What about the poor, uneducated, working parents? These parents trust the school systems will make the right decisions for their child. They go the meetings, sign on the dotted line, and have no idea what they are signing.
I am certain the teachers, in most schools, have the best interest at heart for all students. However, the problem lies with delivery of services. If it is a poorer school system, then there is not enough support staff to truly service the needs of all the students. Does this happen in an affluent system? I think not!!
Are special education services provided equitably? Some school districts have a “pull out” model in which the special education teacher works with the child for a specific period of time during the day. Other special education services could be when the child spends the day in a “learning center” environment and may participate with general education students for specialists. There is also the inclusion model in which special education students spend the day in the general education setting. This model can have a paraprofessional or assistant teacher working with the classroom teacher. In affluent cities, there are often two teachers, general education and special education teacher, working together to instruct children. Class size is not a problem because parents make certain teachers are instructing a reasonable amount of students. In poorer communities, teachers have larger class sizes, maybe if they are lucky some assistance, and special education students all day long. Is this equitable learning?
Often we hear taxpayers say, “I don’t have any child using the schools, so why should I pay taxes to benefit education?” The point is that these children, whether they are receiving special education services or not, will someday be the leaders of our country. We are a country that professes our love for children. Shouldn’t we all care about all children? Our country needs to ensure that all our students receive the highest quality education. Schools, cities, states, and our country overall must make certain that there is equity for special education students in affluent and poorer communities.
After being a classroom doing my observations, I feel very strongly about this subject. I often see these special education students struggling and trying to grasp what is going on. Through discussions, I have heard of teachers having a large population of students that are identified as special education students and these teachers receive a minimal amount of support. I am certain this would never happen in a community in which the parents were doctors, lawyers or CEO’s.
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