Across the nation, Americans were asked to cast their vote on issues relating to special education. Voters were asked about funding for special education in several propositions. You may have voted for a candidate because you agreed with his or her views about Special Education. Here is a brief review of the results that could affect your child’s education. In St. Louis County, Missouri, Proposition S was on the ballot. It asked voters if they wanted to allow a 19 cent tax levy to take effect. The money would be used for the Special School District of St. Louis County, … Continue reading →

A school district in Missouri is facing anger from parents. The school has been conducting Special Education classes in trailers and segregating students who have special needs away from their peers. Parents want their kids to have a classroom inside the building. The school district says they don’t have the funds to make any changes. The current trend in Special Education emphasizes inclusion. Historically, the pendulum of public opinion swings from wanting all students who have special needs to be isolated from the general population to wanting all students to be together, regardless of special needs. As a former teacher, … Continue reading →

Parents of children who have special needs realize that their parenting responsibilities will not end when their child becomes eighteen. Unfortunately, the education system may not have that same understanding. Programs for adults with special needs are the first to go when cuts must be made. Children who have special needs are able to receive at least some of the services that they require while they attend school. Many of these services are things that public schools are required to provide for students who need certain types of services. Schools that can’t provide for the needs of an individual child … Continue reading →

I’ve written in the past about how important inclusive education programs are for both children with disabilities and children without disabilities. However, until recently, these programs have been reserved mostly for the elementary, middle and high school levels of education. Some colleges and universities have allowed those with disabilities to attend classes, as long as they weren’t a distraction or a disruption to the rest of the class. However, the College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina recently created the program REACH. REACH stands for Realizing Educational and Career Hopes. Students enrolled in the program are able to live on … Continue reading →