Journal 1

Crystal Bivins
SPE 350
July 16, 2013
Liz Yellon
Journal 1 Until now I never really thought much upon how Special Education was formed or carried out. I have had dealing with the Special Education department with my step son so I was already aware of how things went and the procedures of how help was gotten while attending school. I did find it very interesting that it all started with Brown v. Board of Education, a colored girl wanting to attend a white school. While I knew that public schools were free to attend and were open to everyone even the disabled/handicapped I just assumed that the school could turn the disabled away if they were not set for someone of that nature; I was not aware that this was not an option. I also just thought every school took it upon themselves during the planning phase to make sure their facilities would be accessible to all I did not know this was a state mandate. The differences between the Individual with Disabilities Education Act IDEA and the No Child Left Behind NCLB were astonishing to me as I have had ill thoughts all this time toward the bill as I am realizing they are were so misdirected. I do however still believe the teachers use the bill for their advantage to allow students to move forward in the school system when they are clearly not ready. While I am sure that the teachers are up to date with the standards set forth by the state it makes me question if they have had any refresher courses or if they have lost their will to push all students and help them achieve greatness. I am glad that the state upped the standards for teachers to be considered highly qualified and that every teacher has to conform to this standard and not some the ones teaching the Special Education classes. I have learned a lot from this chapter and I hope to be able to use the knowledge gained in the classroom by remembering to double check myself and make sure that everything I do, my lessons, my equipment can be used by all students, those with and without disabilities. I shall also remember that the laws put fourth are there to help not only the students and their caretakers but the teachers as well, as it provides them with the means to give each student the best education possible.