Truth To Tell (2011-01-24)
Special Education is, for many people, that mysterious part of our public school system where the kids are “different” from the rest of the student body.
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is designed to protect and provide “free, appropriate public education” in the least-restrictive environment that meets their needs to some 6.6 million students—about 13 percent of total US student enrollment. These are young people with dyslexia, autism, intellectual disabilities, blindness, or other impairments that affect educational performance. If states and school system refuse to provide such education and supply such services, parents can sue in federal court.
Of course, schools must have the additional resources to provide for these students, and, according to most advocates, this is yet another inadequately funded mandate, thanks to the same legislators who passed it.
Furthermore, just who can be defined as a student with one or more disabilities is something about which not all officials, parents and advocates agree. And many youngsters may be treated as emotionally disturbed and pushed into special ed when other issues may be playing out in their lives.
TTT’s ANDY DRISCOLL and LYNNELL MICKELSEN talk with an active parent advocate, a provider in several schools and a state legislator who specializes in this area, among others to get at some of the increasingly complex issues facing special education and the students who need this special attention.
REP. KIM NORTON (DFL-29B), Rochester; Minnesota House Assistant Minority Leader; Member, Education Reform Committee; Education nonprofit executive director in Rochester
MAREN LINDNER – Parent and Chair of the Minneapolis Special Education Advisory Committee
DANYA TROXEL – Vocational Supervisor, Northeast Intermediate School District #916