Opinion: Special ed underfunding causes inequitable treatment
November 5th, 2009
From the Muskegon [MI] Chronicle:
Public school superintendent Steve Cousins writes that special education is the largest underfunded mandate for Michigan school districts. While Michigan works to provide special-education services to a wider range of people than any other state, lack of federal and state funding puts the burden on local districts and causes a pattern of inequity, he says. An excerpt:
Today, students with disabilities are just part of the rich fabric that makes up the American public school system. Their talents and unique perspectives add substance to the educational experience of all children, and we are better for it. It is a legacy for which we all should be proud. It is one that is uniquely American in its breadth and depth.
Steve Cousins is superintendent of Reeths-Puffer Schools.
(Photo from Muskegon Chronicle)
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on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 4:20 pm and is filed under commentary, education, funding, special education.
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November 8th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I don’t think that the problem is underfunding, I think it is how the United States is teaching disabled students. They need to realize that even though some disabled students are less capable at one topic or have a hard time staying on task, they are actually much better then many at some other things. Some autistic children for example have shown they are much faster at reading, and can draw pictures amazingly accurate, such as in a video called the “Autistic Genius.”
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/305201/autistic_genius/
If public schools integrated the disabled students into classes it would not only benefit the disabled child by letting them learn what to there full potential, but it would also benefit the non-disabled children by allowing them to get used to knowing and not fearing people who are different then them. The funds for disabled children would be better spent on having an extra aid in the class room to help out when needed.