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Special Education Personal Philosophy Paper Tori Aldinger Boise State University

Professor Juli Pool Exceptionality in Schools (Ed-Sped 250) 11/17/2013

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Special Education Personal Philosophy Paper Special education is a very rewarding, yet challenging field within the education system. I have had the opportunity to observe and help teach a student in the special education program. This experience has helped me to learn a great deal about how special education works within our schools. As the text book Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education says special education is a complex enterprise that can be defined and evaluated from many perspectives" (Heward p. 28). According to Heward (2013),
Special education is an important part of societys response to the needs of exceptional children and the rights of individuals with disabilities and is a profession with its own history, cultural practices, tools, and research base focused on the learning needs of exceptional children and adults" (p. 33).

The role of a special educator is an important one. As I have learned from observing special educators in action, each one had their own philosophy about their field of work. I plan to become a social worker but I felt taking a special education class would be a great opportunity for me to learn about diverse populations of people. Although, I don't plan on pursuing a special education degree, my time devoted to my field work has helped me form my own personal philosophy about special education. Special education serves many roles in our education system. Special education offers intervention and instruction for those that qualify for special education services, but the question is, who qualifies for services? The text book Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education defines those who receive special education services as exceptional children. Who are exceptional children? According to Heward (2013):
All children exhibit differences from one another in terms of their physical attributes and learning abilities. The differences among most children are relatively small, enabling them to benefit from the general education program. The physical attributes and/or learning characteristics of exceptional children

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differ from the norm to such an extent that they require an individualized program of special education and related services to fully benefit from education" (p. 7).

Children who qualify for special education services have impairments, disabilities, and handicaps. These students often have been diagnosed disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, communication disorders, deafness, hearing loss, blindness, physical disabilities, health impairments, ADHD, disabilities that are low incidences, severe or multiple disabilities, or traumatic brain injuries. Given all of these, special educators have their work cut out for them. They must be able to effectively teach children with a wide range of disabilities. Special education serves an important purpose in the education system. Two of its goals are to provide interventions and instruction to students with special needs. These interventions and instruction help to find and capitalize on exceptional learners needs and abilities. Special education uses specific curriculum and specialized or adapted materials that are tailored to each student which help the exceptional learner learn to the best of their ability. We all have fundamental rights and those with disabilities should not be excluded. Special education services offer protection from the law, so that those with disabilities have the same rights and access to education as those without disabilities. Laws are needed to safe guard against possible exclusion of students with disabilities. Heward (2013) points out that:
the U.S. educational system has a less than distinguished history of judging those who are differen t, such as those children who are different because of race, culture, language, gender, socioeconomic statue, or exceptionality have often been denied full and fair access to educational opportunities" (p. 13)

Congress has passed such laws as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which extensively protects students with disabilities from zero rejection and nondiscriminatory evaluations. The IDEA also states that "All children with disabilities, regardless of the type or

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severity of their disability, shall receive a free appropriate public education" (Heward p. 17). A more controversial ruling states that all schools must teach children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Students with disabilities have the right to be in a general education program to the maximum extent that is appropriate. Some challenge the idea of inclusion while others find it the most appropriate way to educate all children regardless of their abilities or disabilities. My own personal philosophy favors some form of inclusion. Inclusion allows students with disabilities the opportunity to be educated with their non-disabled peers, this is important to teach the other children that those students with disabilities shouldnt be excluded from society just because they are different. An important aspect of special education is the collaboration that is involved between the special education program and general education. When students with disabilities are in inclusive classrooms it takes team work and collaboration between the general education teacher and the special education teacher. They must engage in collaborative consultations and cooperative teaching. Through my field work assignment, I have been able to view this process up close. The special educator often co-teaches with the general education teacher. They most often engage in the strategy of one teaching/one helping. I also have been involved in coteaching. I often assist the general education teacher by doing parallel teaching. I teach the same material that she is teaching to a smaller group of children, often the little girl that I am working one on one with. This has been a very educational experience for me, not only do I see the collaboration that takes place between the special and general education systems, but I also get to take part directly. I have enjoyed taking this class. I have really appreciated the experience that I have gained from working in the classroom. I don't plan on being a special educator but if I were

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going to be, I would have to have special skills and a certain attitude to make me a successful teacher. My role as a special educator would be to be the best educator possible and to be knowledgeable in the most effective ways to help educate my students. I would want to be able to teach them the essential parts of the education based curriculum but also would want to teach my students the necessary skills that will be important for them to know in order to live the most productive and happy lives possible for them. The skills that I would have to be proficient in would be instructing students with learning disabilities, managing serious behavior problems, evaluating technical advances, and knowing the important special education laws. I have been lucky enough to observe teachers at the school where I volunteer, show this type of skill set. They have also are very kind and compassionate educators doing the best for their students with disabilities. Special education can be very challenging. I have been challenged daily working with my student but it very rewarding. It takes a very patient person to effectively teach students with disabilities. An important part of being a special educator is to know your own philosophy regarding special education. Having your own philosophy on special education allows you to know where you stand on important issues regarding laws, inclusion, and the best educational practices to serve students with disabilities.

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References Heward, W.L. (2013). Exceptional Children an Introduction to Special Education. (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education Inc.