What is special needs education?

Special needs education programs are designed for those students whose needs cannot be met within the traditional classroom environment. These programs and services adapt content, classroom management and teacher instruction to meet the needs of each child. Although special needs students are often classified with learning disabilities, they can also include gifted students and English Language Learners (ELLs). A large number of students with varying needs and ability levels are grouped under one umbrella; addressing the needs of so many students can seem overwhelming under any circumstances.

And now, as the …

What has having a child with a disability taught me? When I was pregnant, we learned our son had a condition that included multiple defects and a profound neurological impairment that would ultimately shorten his lifespan. Becoming Miles’ mother taught me more about love and trust than I could have learned in all my years alive. Having Miles was a journey of faith in many ways — faith that we could get through this as a family, faith that we would find purpose in his life and faith that God was with me on this journey. One of the more tangible impacts Miles had on my life is my ability to walk in others’ shoes more readily. His disability and what it took to…

By Dr. David Lazerson, 2008 Inductee National Teachers Hall of Fame

Joey

“Let’s go,” I urged. “On the count of three, we lift together.”

My lifeguards were already used to the procedure, and I couldn’t get over how we functioned like a smooth, synchronized Swiss watch. There was no need to tell them to use their legs and not their back, or to make sure their feet were firmly planted. (The deck was usually slippery.)

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Here at Teach.com, we are elated with the feedback and responses we’ve been receiving forThey Taught Me: Blogging in Support of Special Needs - and April is not even half over! We want to thank all you advocates, family members, and teachers who have shared your stories so far. Both you and the children you write about are such an inspiration, and we are honored to help you share their stories.

The CDC recently reported that now, 1 in every 68 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Every “1 in 68” has a story. By sharing their stories, we are making a difference.

To show our gratitu…

Did you know that according to a recent study, close to 3 million school-aged children across the United States have a disability? That’s 5.2 percent of the entire population of U.S. students.

The percentage of students enrolled in special education programs has grown at nearly twice the rate of students enrolled in general education.

These numbers reflect the rise in occurrences of disabilities in students, but what they fail to do is speak to these students’ stories. These reports fail to acknowledge that behind the labels, IEPs, politics, and policies, these students have lives, and these lives are impacting others. They are more than their disabilities; more than points on a spectr…

The timeless skill of effective communication is the anchor, which will enable students to successfully find and share their voice with the world through the power of words. As we celebrate Digital Learning Month in February, we must embrace the power of digital media and the impact it has upon our daily lives. Are you utilizing the incredible power of social-media in your classroom?

In a world of instant communication, our students have the opportunity to engage and share with a global audience on a daily basis. Teaching students how to be effective collaborators, interact globally, and build powerful networks, is both the social and academic benefit to Twitter in education. As society and technology changes, so does literacy. Can social media positively impact 21st century literacy-learning? Utili…