For centuries in the United States, children with disabilities were ignored and thought to be unteachable by schools, despite how smart and worthy they were of the same education as other students.
National Special Education Day is celebrated on December 2 each year, marking the anniversary of the nation’s first federal special education law.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed by the 38 President Gerald Ford on December 2, 1975. IDEA granted children with special needs access to a free and quality public education with accommodations that fit the needs of each student.
IDEA has also helped teachers and families ensure that kids with disabilities have enough access to available resources.
Over the years, the act has been revised several times so that the students have enough aid, furthering the quality of education these adolescents are receiving.
Not only does December 2 celebrate the law being passed, but it also celebrates the teachers who give their all to the students, helping them be successful in the future. Within the thousands of special education classrooms in the United States, teachers are working hard to provide a valuable education to all students with special needs.
On the third floor of Foran High School lies its very own special education department with students eager to learn, and teachers eager to teach.
Similar to the classrooms with accordion walls that can become one big room. The area is sectioned off into different spaces for different kinds of activities.
The special education room is home to a multitude of students and considers the needs of each child who learns there.
Junior Cyrus Bass who spends lots of time in the special education classrooms expressed that his favorite part about the room is, “The way I can be out of the other noisy classrooms and I can actually concentrate on my work.”
Bass also emphasized the fact that he likes the environment of the room considering how it has flexible seating, calming music, dim lighting, and teachers who teach in an easier way of understanding.
Mr. James Chiappetta, who is one of the newer teachers of the special education program and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) program discussed one thing that sets the special education classes apart from the other classes in the school.
Chiappetta states, “I would say the pacing is a little bit different. We are able to have more one-on-one instruction.”
While a general classroom’s pace is set in stone, a special education class can be more flexible for what the students need.
In addition to being flexible, Chiappetta discussed that being patient is the most important thing when working with these students.
Chiappetta also explained that based on each student’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) they can have extended time on their assignments while focusing on what they need to improve on and what specific skills.
Those who take special education classes have IEPs. An IEP “tells you what the kid needs to be successful, like accommodations and goals for the year. It basically lets you know anything you need to know about the student and what they need.” says Chiappetta.
Depending on each student’s individual goals they have a variety of special education classes to choose from and the common high school classes.
Special education kids can take classes such as social skills, work-study, life skills, and math, or choose to be in learning center programs which can help them catch up on work or get extra help they may need on an assignment.
The special education program teachers are very confident in all of their students and only wish to see them succeed in and out of the classroom.
Chiappetta says, “I just like helping kids reach their goals, and like something that they’re struggling with once they eventually get it and it clicks like oh! I finally understand this! That’s what makes it for me at least.”
Not only do the teachers focus on them being successful while they are at Foran, they care about their student’s well-being and future. They want their students to be able to reach their goals even if there is struggle along the way and continue to be successful.
Chiappetta states, “I got into teaching because I want to be the person that helps mold my students for their future. So when they leave Foran, I want them to be able to move on to the next step whether it be college, a transition program, or working a job. So I enjoy helping them prepare for that.”
Many students over the years have graduated from Foran’s special education program and moved on to the next step in their lives.
Mrs. Karen Joye, who recently had a son graduate from Foran’s special education program, spoke on what her son Nathan Joye did after he graduated from Foran. Joye is part of the FYVE (Fifth Year Vocational Experience) program that is run by the city of Milford. When in this program, they go to two different job sites a day to get experience in the work field. Giving the students a greater understanding of money, they receive a couple of dollars an hour.
When asked how her son feels about the program Mrs. Joye states, “He loves it!”
FYVE begins in the fall but there is also a shortened summer version available that is only one job a day. With the help of this after high school education program Joye now thinks he will go to community college to get a degree in mathematics. Mrs. Joye feels this program has tremendous benefits for children who were part of a special education program in high school. She has expressed that it made a huge difference for her son.
Mrs. Joye says, “I will say about the program, he’s made a couple of good friends and he’s even hanging out with them.”
Overall the FYVE program is a great learning experience and gives students the tools they need to succeed out of high school. While also offering a chance to make life-long friendships that they will continue to grow closer with even when graduating from the program.
National Special Education Day not only helps us recognize the history of education but also helps kids and adults recognize the exemplary program that the students are blessed with. Special Education Day helps celebrate the progress that has been made in the United States education system for children with special needs and their families. Due to this law passed in 1975, learners at Foran can be taught through the special education department and get the education they deserve that fits their needs.