Chapter 11-1The Purpose and Promise of Special EducationWilliam L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Who Are Exceptional Children?Exceptional children differ from the norm (either below or above) to such an extent that they require an individualized program of special education Four key termsImpairment - The loss or reduced function of a body part or organDisability - Exists when an impairment limits the ability to perform certain tasksHandicap - A problem encountered when interacting with the environmentNot all children with a disability are handicappedAt risk - Children who have a greater-than-usual chance of developing a disability1-2William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

How Many Exceptional Children Are There?It is impossible to state the precise number Different criteria used for identificationPreventive servicesImprecise nature of assessmentThe child may be eligible at one point in time and not eligible at anotherChildren in special education represent about 9% of the school age populationApproximately 75% of students with disabilities receive at least part of their education in regular classrooms1-3William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Why Do We Label and Classify Exceptional Children?Possible benefits of labelingRecognizing differences in learning and behavior is the first step to responding responsibly to those differencesMay lead to more acceptance of atypical behavior by peersHelps professionals communicate and disseminate research findingsFunding and resources are often based on categoriesHelps advocacy groups promote more awarenessMakes special needs more visible1-4William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Why Do We Label and Classify Exceptional Children?Possible disadvantages of labelingFocuses on what students cannot doMay stigmatize the child and lead to peer rejectionMay negatively affect self-esteemMay cause others to have low expectations for the studentDisproportionate number of culturally diverse groups are labeledMay take the role of fictional explanatory constructsTakes away from the childs individualitySuggest that there is something wrong with the childLabels have permanenceBasis for keeping children out of the regular classroomRequires great expenditure that might be better spent on planning and delivering instruction1-5William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Why Are Laws Governing the Education of Exceptional Children Necessary?An Exclusionary Past Children who are different have often been denied full and fair access to educational opportunities

Separate Is Not EqualSpecial education was strongly influenced by social developments and court decisions in the 1950s and 1960s (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education)

Equal ProtectionAll children are entitled to a free, appropriate public education 1-6William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education ActSix Major Principles of IDEA Zero Reject: Schools must educate all children with disabilities

Nondiscriminatory Identification and Evaluation: Schools must used nonbiased, multifactored methods of evaluation

Free, Appropriate Public Education: An IEP must be developed for each child

Least Restrictive Environment: Must be educated with children without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate

Due Process Safeguards: Parents and childrens rights protected

Shared Decision Making: Schools must collaborate with parents1-7William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Related LegislationGifted and Talented Children The Gifted and Talented Childrens Education Act of 1978 provides financial incentives for states to develop programs for students

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973Extends civil rights to people with disabilities Americans with Disabilities ActExtends civil rights protection to private sector employment, all public services, public accommodation, and transportation 1-8William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

What Is Special Education?Special education as interventionPreventive: Designed to keep minor problems from becoming a disabilityRemedial: Attempt to eliminate the effects of a disabilityCompensatory: Enable successful functioning in spite of the disability

Special education as instructionIndividually plannedSpecializedIntensiveGoal-directed 1-9William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.

Current and Future Challenges

Bridge the research-to-practice gap

Increase the availability and intensity of early intervention and prevention programs

Improve students transition from school to adult life

Improve the special educationgeneral education partnership1-10William L. HewardExceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, 8eCopyright 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.