There are plenty of different articles online talking about whether or not special education students should be placed in a regular classroom or be separated and maybe even go to a special school. Some people think they should be separated only because when they hear “special education” they automatically assume it’s someone who is brain-damaged or who uses a wheel chair and respirators. That is not always the case, some just have trouble learning at the same pace as others like they might have a speech problem or maybe trouble reading which is known as Dyslexia. Then other special education students don’t have really have bad learning disabilities that they have the ability to work at the same pace as others, while others need the extra help and need to be watched over the whole time. I personally think it’s okay for special education students to be taught in regular classes with the rest of the students only if they don’t cause any distractions. With students that need extra care and are in classes with regular students it can be hard for the teacher.

For example if the teacher wants to move on during a lesson he or she has to slow things down to try and make sure that one specific student understands it while making the rest of the students behind on their work or if that one student has a mood disorder it can cause a distraction and keep others from learning. Also sometimes there can be a teacher that doesn’t even pay any attention to them and continues with their lesson and the student might end up falling behind and not pass the class because no one is willing to help them. That’s why I think it’s better if they are in their own classes that way everything is on their own pace and they won’t feel bad for not being able to learn like others. I also think some students might feel more comfortable being taught in separate classes just for the reason that other students might stare or say something mean about them. I understand that some of the special education students want to feel normal and do things others do, but it can be hard.

One idea I recommend for parents to do is put their children in special education classes for a while until they improve in their comprehension and vocabulary and gain confidence. Once they feel like they have improved they can try being in regular classes. But if they feel like it’s too fast or they begin to fall behind in their classes then they might be better off in special education class. There are also schools who specialize on students with special needs so if they don’t like how things are being done at a regular school they can always go there.

As UVM professor, Michael Giangreco said, “Students with learning disabilities receive unequal education.” Which can be true, but that is not always the case. I think it has to do with the teachers or the schools they are in and how much they really pay attention to the students with special needs. He also said, “Even though they are in the same classroom with other students, they are isolated at the back doing separate work.” I also think it’s true because I’ve seen in happen before in some of my classes. It makes me feel bad that they can’t participate in the things we do when they might want to but they can’t or are not allowed to.

Putting aside all the arguments that come with this topic I think it’s a good thing that there actually are ways to help special education students and they are able to pass all their classes. So whether or not they are being separated from other students I don’t think any of the arguments matter as long as they get the help they need which is most important. Then there’s also the concern that is they go to a special school or even a regular they might get mistreated by the teachers. And there has been cases about that but that’s when I think parents should get involved and do some research on the schools and maybe even try talking to the parents of the students who are already attending and see how they feel about the teachers and the way they teach and treat the children. That’s what I would do just to make sure I make the right decision on choosing the school or program I want my child to attend to get the best help.