Regular vs. Special Education Classes

I posed this question prior to my research; do special education students receive the same attention and level of education as students in regular education? Through investigation and observation, I explored the differences between regular education classrooms and special education classrooms to see if there were in fact inequalities between the two. Prior to doing research, I assumed that all education was alike, and that regardless of special needs, the educational institution provided an equal opportunity for all students to learn. This paper will show the level of equity and reflect on the social justice of special education in the current school platform. It will outline the research that I have conducted and demonstrate the negative assumptions about special education teachers and their students, and show examples of the lack of funding and resources for special education departments.

I conducted research by observing and interviewing several different school/ classroom settings. The first class I observed was at a Therapeutic Day school on the North West side of Chicago. The class included nine students between the ages of nine and fifteen and their learning abilities range from zero comprehension through average grade level. Only three of the students were within average grade level for their age, the rest of the students are at or below the second grade level. The teacher explained that one student (who is ten years old) has profound mental retardation and has a one year old cognitive level. This student is also the student who bites and hits when he becomes frustrated. Three of the students need diaper changes throughout the day; the others need constant attention and assistance. The classroom had only one te...

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...special ed students from being harassed. My findings on the prejudices depict all regular education teachers, however, from my research, there seems to be a general lack of respect for the special education field.

Unfortunately, my hypothesis of having an equal opportunity for all students to learn would prove to be fallacious, special education schools do not receive the same respect or funding as general education. I believe that the failure stems from the individual institutions. If the school and staff do not show support and be an advocate for special education programs, the local, state, and federal government will follow suit. Like every agency, it must grow and change with the current economic and sociologic state that it is in, the current school platform and regulations are outdated and inappropriate for the needs of these special students.