Special Education
The first eight years of a person’s life is a crucial period for brain development. During this time, children are still developing motor skills and brain functions. Many children suffer injuries or are born with disabilities which impede brain development. As a result, special education programs have been established to assist disabled children learn and develop.
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA), enacted by the United States Congress during the mid 1970’s was passed to ensure all children struggling with mental and physical disabilities receive proper educations in public schools. The law mandated that all public schools offer special education programs. These programs are designed to provide the same education other children receive but are tailored to their specific needs. The EHA is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The IDEA has since been amended to better address the problems special needs children struggle with. It is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).
Under the IDEIA, states can request federal funds to support local and state special education programs. This money is also frequently used to purchase technology to assist special needs children and train teachers.
The IDEIA also expanded the amount of classified disabilities to be addressed by special education programs since children struggling with disabilities require different forms of assistance. For example, some children can learn and participate in a traditional classroom while others cannot. As a result, it’s the responsibility of counselors, teachers, and parents to determine the proper assistance programs special needs children require.
Featured Special Education Articles |
Special Education Categories |
Editor Recommended Special Education Resources |
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: BAM! Body and Mind - Information and materials for students and classrooms; related information about child development, birth defects, disabilities, and health.
- Council of Educators for Students with Disabilities - Resources and conferences for educators of students that have disabilities - Section 504 and special education (IDEA).
- DoDEA Special Education Resource Directory - Online resources related to Special Education technology.
- Guide to the Individualized Education Program - US Government plan -implementing the requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)- to assist parents, educators, and other state or local educational agencies.
- IEP and Special Education - Disabilities group mailing list to support one another with information.
- Judy Raneri's Career Transition Dream Catcher - Categorized Secondary Special Education list of sites useful for parents,teachers, and their students.
- Special Education News - News articles and resources relating to educating students with special needs or disabilities.
- Special Populations - Information on rules and regulations. Provides interactive IEP training. Technical assistance documents detailing various disability categories.
- Transition Coalition - Features include contacts for parents, service providers, and teachers, free publications, and online training. Resources for providing transition services to students with disabilities in secondary special education.
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