Ramon Said:

As a parent of a special needs child, what changes have you seen in the education system over the last 20 yrs?

We Answered:

To really find your answer, you have to go back a little further. Look for online references to an institution called Willowbrook, which was blown open back in the 70's. That was when the world first discovered that their were people who were incarcerated who were not "mentally retarded", and many of them could have had normal lives...IF their needs had been correctly identified.

In the last 20 years, parents became an integral part of the IEP process, and were allowed to not only suggest input to their children's education, but to advocate for their children, requesting out of district placements if needed.

Currently, the special needs community faces a real crisis. With the pending budget cuts, it is difficult to convince a district to allow any special accommodations, even though that is the law.

A parent has to show that their child is in fact able to do better, and only then can they get the help they need. Some parents prefer inclusion---others see a different need.

My daughter just graduated high school with an amazing GPA, and superb SAT scores. She had attended two different schools for "special needs", but was able to perform on a par with the district students---and in some cases beyond them.

She starts college next week---with a scholarship for students who attain academic excellence.

Had I left her in district, she would have fallen through the cracks.

Johnnie Said:

I am curious about other states and their special education laws. I interviewed special needs students to...?

We Answered:

Here is an example of why inclusion is important. I work as a middle school special education teacher. We have two different types of classrooms. We have inclusion or coteaching classrooms for children who just need modificaitons but can do the work. We also have LLD classes which are for students who are at a lower functioning level. By the time that the students get to middle school, the LLD classes are about 5 students large. That being said, the only students that they socialize with are the 4 or 5 other students in their class. During lunch, they sit with their classmates. On field trips, they are grouped with their classmates. This is all while being isolated from the regular education students. Many of the LLD students do not want to be in LLD classes. The ones who want to be away from the regular education students are usually very much afraid to try to socialize with those students. They are used to the way that they have been going on for the last 5 or 6 years of school. I think that inclusion, when done correctly, helps the students with the social aspect of their lives. (which is almost just as important as the educational aspect)

Cynthia Said:

Laws for Special Education people in the U.S.?

We Answered:

Here's a website that goes into complete detail of the laws of special education..

http://lawsforspecialeducation.com/

Jeanette Said:

What are the laws that govern the provision of Special Education?

We Answered:

Go way back to 1975...the law was originally EHA Education for all Handicap Children, it is now known as 94-142 IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Also ADA American Disabilties Act covers section 504 students, these are the students who dont qualify for special education.

Erika Said:

Child Special Education Laws in Michigan?

We Answered:

As a former bus driver I have no idea, but I do know that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, take your problem over the head of the transportation dept. Take it to the school board meeting and ask them what criteria has to pass for him to ride the special education bus. I promise you if you keep making noise you will get your son on a special bus. Take copy's of the write ups with you. It really makes no sense for this Director of Transportation to deny you, for every special student in the system they system gets extra compensation from the feds to allow for things like busing and other programs. Just stay after them and sooner then later they will help you out. Oh, and for your search, remember that transportation of special students is a federal law and you might be able to find something in the federal guide lines where you can find nothing in the state. Look into the federal highway safety administration, you can also get your congressmen involved. I am sure it is federal law that they have to transport him.