Thursday, May 13, 2010

Special Education - Empowers Special Students

Education is a fountain that emits knowledge endlessly; it that one thing which is required by all. To put in simple and precise words, right to education is awarded to everyone be it rich or poor, black or white, normal or abnormal. Every person requires education to make himself socially and intellectually capable to upgrade and enhance himself.


Special education is basically for those who have disabilities in learning for e.g. dyslexia, reading or writing disability, etc. Special education is specifically planned to meet the needs of these people with such disabilities. Special education basically encompasses a wide range which includes academic services, speech-language services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, counselling services and parent education. These services are specifically provided to the parents with no extra cost in the education process.


The right to education to special education is guaranteed by the law through the federal IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement ACT), 2004 and FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) is provided by the Department of Education through state regulations laws.  These laws allow those with the special education who are eligible for special education.


A student who basically ages in the range of 3 to 20 can be eligible for Special education which is specifically designed for him or her.

However, it requires a proper evaluation process to rectify whether the student requires special education or not. The evaluation process can be attempted by the students by contacting the higher authorities of the educational organization. During the evaluation process, school proceeds with the written response to the parent.

The evaluation process further verifies student's capabilities and mindset of the child which in turn helps the school to gauge his needs.

The evaluation process encompasses a set of categories for its assessments. It includes health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communication skills, and motor abilities.

IEP (Individual Education Program) is provided to the student after evaluation. Through this program the child enables to access with the facilities to satisfy his need for education. The IEP has a team which includes parents, students, school administrator, special education teacher and general education teacher.


IEP now recommends certain things for the students with regards to special education. Special education is only delivered if the student is unable to adjust in the normal education format. Mostly special education is provided at homeschooling format however attimes IEP may recommend some special school settings for such students.


IEP also informs the parents with their safeguarded rights. At time parents do not agree with the recognition, valuation, program and placement or FAPE, in such cases parents may opt for a wide array of existing resolution practices like mediation, facilitation, conciliation, etc. Parents can also opt for a written complaint if any partiality experienced in the due process.