If I could change the way we provide services to children with disabilities I would recommend more interventions done early on to prevent students from being placed in a segregated special education classroom. Many students with learning disabilities can do very well in the regular education classroom when the right interventions are put into action. For many years, students with this type of disability did not receive intervention until there was a large enough gap between their performance level and IQ. This is unacceptable in my eyes. In my school, I see many children in special education that would no be there if interventions had been put into action at the first sign of trouble. I think the latest ideas of Response to Intervention should be strictly enforced. The teachers must document the use of interventions right away.
I would also recommend the full inclusion of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should not be segregated from non-disabled students. Many students with disabilities do very well in the regular education classroom when given the correct and appropriate supports. In my eyes, this is the key to the full inclusion of students with disabilities. Fully included students can only be successful when they have supports and are surrounded by well trained professionals. Students that are segregated from the regular education classroom miss out on very important learning opportunities. In many cases, these children fall even further behind their peers. Being segregated from their non-disabled peers places a stigma and label on these children that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
I would also recommend the full inclusion of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should not be segregated from non-disabled students. Many students with disabilities do very well in the regular education classroom when given the correct and appropriate supports. In my eyes, this is the key to the full inclusion of students with disabilities. Fully included students can only be successful when they have supports and are surrounded by well trained professionals. Students that are segregated from the regular education classroom miss out on very important learning opportunities. In many cases, these children fall even further behind their peers. Being segregated from their non-disabled peers places a stigma and label on these children that will follow them for the rest of their lives.
