Disability and Special Education

Focus Questions

Focus Questions1. What does it mean to have a disability or handicap?

Focus Questions1. What does it mean to have a disability or handicap?2. What are the fundamental tenets of special education?

Focus Questions1. What does it mean to have a disability or handicap?2. What are the fundamental tenets of special education?3. Why did the federal government and the public call for national

intervention?

Focus Questions1. What does it mean to have a disability or handicap?2. What are the fundamental tenets of special education?3. Why did the federal government and the public call for national

intervention?4. What are some defining features of special education?

Historical Context

Modern special education emerged from four broad areas

Historical Context

Modern special education emerged from four broad areas The study of human development and learning (biology,

psychology, education, and sociology)

Historical Context

Modern special education emerged from four broad areas The study of human development and learning (biology,

psychology, education, and sociology) The influence of parents and self advocates

Historical Context

Modern special education emerged from four broad areas The study of human development and learning (biology,

psychology, education, and sociology) The influence of parents and self advocates The influence of professional organizations (1990s CEC)

Historical Context

Modern special education emerged from four broad areas The study of human development and learning (biology,

psychology, education, and sociology) The influence of parents and self advocates The influence of professional organizations (1990s CEC) Legislation and litigation

Historical Context

Major changes came about at the close of the civil rights movement in the late 60s and early 70s

Historical Context

Major changes came about at the close of the civil rights movement in the late 60s and early 70s which led eventually to closing state institutions (

Willowbrook)

Historical Context

Major changes came about at the close of the civil rights movement in the late 60s and early 70s which led eventually to closing state institutions (

Willowbrook) 1975 law required public schools to serve the

population.

Language and Sensitivity

Two basic rules: Put people first Do not make the person equal the disability

Perspectives on Disability How we define disability guides our approach to teaching

Perspectives on Disability How we define disability guides our approach to

teaching

1. Deficit perspective Line everyone up based on some trait, exceptional means “deviating widely from a norm” Low end of the distribution might be disabled

Perspectives on Disability How we define disability guides our approach to

teaching

1. Deficit perspective Line everyone up based on some trait, exceptional means “deviating widely from a norm” Low end of the distribution might be disabled

2. Sociological perspective Disability is socially derived

Defining Special Education

The US Department of Education holds, special education is,

Defining Special Education

The US Department of Education holds, special education is,

“Specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique need of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings…” (IDEA, 2004).

IDEA 2004

The federal established a set of categories

IDEA 2004, Part B. Page 46756 of the Federal Register 71.156 (page 218 of the PDF) details who is eligible for special education services (See 300.8 (a), (b), and (c).

IDEA 2004

The federal established a set of categories

IDEA 2004, Part B. Page 46756 of the Federal Register 71.156 (page 218 of the PDF) details who is eligible for special education services (See 300.8 (a), (b), and (c).

Assignment: Prepare a cheat sheet of the categories. 1-2 sentences describing each disability category. Put your names at the top, and hand in when complete.

Federal Disability Categories (IDEA 300.8)

1. Developmental delay

2. Autism

3. Deaf-blindness

4. Deafness

5. Emotional disturbance

6. Hearing impairment

7. Mental retardation

8. Multiple-disabilities

9. Orthopedic impairment

10. Other health impairment

11. Specific learning disability

12. Speech or language

13. Traumatic brain injury

14. Visual impairment

Special Education Students by Age (CA 2006)

Special Education Students - Enrollment in CA, 2006

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

Pacific Islander NativeAmerican

Filipino Asian African-American

White Hispanic

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

1. Free appropriate public education (FAPE)

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

1. Free appropriate public education (FAPE)

2. Due Process

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

1. Free appropriate public education (FAPE)

2. Due Process

3. Individualized education program (IEP)

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

1. Free appropriate public education (FAPE)

2. Due Process

3. Individualized education program (IEP)

4. Least restrictive environment (LRE)

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

1. Free appropriate public education (FAPE)

2. Due Process

3. Individualized education program (IEP)

4. Least restrictive environment (LRE)

5. Testing

(6) Defining Features of Special Education

1. Free appropriate public education (FAPE)

2. Due Process

3. Individualized education program (IEP)

4. Least restrictive environment (LRE)

5. Testing

6. Related services