Special Ed Essay Example for Free

Special Ed Essay People can have multiple definitions of disability, but this is the federal definition of a disability, â€Å"An individual with a disability means any person who: (i) has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity; (ii) has a record of such an impairment; or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment† (Durhiem). In order to receive or qualify for special needs or other learning disabilities you must have a record of proof from a doctor to provide to the school. It is then the schools job then to meet the credentials needed for the disabled student. Students with varying disabilities should be given the same chances as students without disabilities. Some disabilities can require students to have separate classrooms while others might be able to operate in classes where there are students without disabilities. Each disability varies in severity and in most cases it is a student-by-student bases. It is the parents and teachers responsibility to advocate for the student and make sure their needs are met within the classroom. In fact families have certain rights provided to them and their disabled child, these rights can be provided through the 504. In order for a student to qualify for 504 the students has to have a disability. â€Å"Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination, civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met† (Durhiem). Section 504 is a foundation for equality to people of special needs. Every student deserves the right to learn and the right to reach there full potential regardless of ability. One-way Parents and the community can be informed on their local schools progress and level of education is through the No Child Left Behind Act. No Child Left Behind or NCLB, goal is to improve the education of children with a low-income family, especially within the public school system. This act was established in 2001 and has improved education for all students dramatically. NCLB establishes goals and certain criteria to prevent failing schools, â€Å" NCLB requires that schools make steady progress toward the ultimate goal of all students performing at a proficient level in reading, math, and science by the year 2014. This progress is defined as adequate yearly progress, or AYP. Schools that fail to meet AYP goals for two consecutive years must be identified as in need of improvement. (Cortiella). If the school does not meet its goals within the given time span the school district notifies the parents that the school needs improvement. This is a great way to keep parents informed on the accomplishments and struggles of the school there child attends. For the children with disabilities NCLB provides the students with different options of schools that are not failing or â€Å"in need of improvement schools. † â€Å"Students with disabilities (covered under the IDEA or Section 504) must be offered the opportunity to attend a school that has not been identified as in need of improvement. Districts must ensure that such students are provided a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with the IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, in their schools of choice† (Cortiella). IDEA: ADA: American’s with Disabilities Act.