Special Needs Programs Cody Creger Ray Ehrman

Controversial Topic These programs are very costly and are not the “norm” or mainstream programs.

Pros for Special Needs Programs With special education programs, students with different learning disabilities can strive for success with the help of programs offered at their schools. 13% out of students in the United States have a learning disability. Therefore these programs are in dire need (Samuels, 2010) . IDEA-Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Most recently updated in 2004.

Pros for Special Needs Programs There are 6.5 million eligible children with disabilities and there is a zero reject rule for these kids with special needs (Samuels, 2010). 96% of students with disabilities were educated in regular school buildings(Samuels, 2010). Special needs students had a drop out rate of 43% in 1993, this decreased to 37% by 2004(Ben-Porath, 2012).

Cons for Special Needs Programs Special Needs Programs are extremely expensive to fund. Schools are now trying to be more inclusive than previous years. School districts are lacking the appropriate candidates for this profession, which is resulting in poor education and classroom management.

Discussion What is your outlook on Special Needs students? Do you think they deserve special attention? Do the benefits of Special Needs programs out weigh the costs? Explain… When is mainstreaming special needs students appropriate?

References Ben-Porath, S. (2012). DEFENDING RIGHTS IN (SPECIAL) EDUCATION. Educational Theory, 62(1), 25-39. doi:10.1111/j.1741-5446.2011.00433.x Samuels, Christina A. "Boom in Learning-Disabled Enrollments Ends." Education Week. 15 Sep 2010: 1-3. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 04 Apr 2012.