Special education refers to an education system crafted for students with special needs in a way that addresses their needs. A special education program should be made in such a way it addresses every student’s unique need. In America the system is well developed and the education Policy considers all disabled students regardless of the nature or degree of disability. The disabled students are legally entitled to a free and appropriate public education. In 2001 and 2004 the No Child Left behind Act (NCLB) ensured that schools were more accountable and increased the technological assistance and loan programs for students with disabilities. Looking at the synopsis of the special education program in the United States it wouldn’t be wrong to state that a lot of strides have been made.
Just like a coin, however much the system has grown, it still has some weaknesses .For Instance modification of the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997 which began to slowly accommodate students with moderate and severe special needs into the regular school systems decreased the number of students with disabilities in the school districts in the United States owing to the changes in price per person. This is owing to the fact that much as the Government funds the Free and appropriate public education program the funds are barely enough to provide the necessary services and thus the guardians and parents have to bear the cost of the special education. This has consequently impacted on the number of people with disabilities able to access education and also compromise of the quality the services provided.
It would be unfair to rate the special education program in the United States as low, however if only the funds allocated would be increased to ensure that all students with special needs are catered for then this would really shift the paradigm towards being a more ideal system.
References
Gabel, S. L., & Danforth, S. (2008). Disability & the politics of education: an international reader. NewYork: Peter Lang.
