Michelle Blakley
Education Psychology 225, Section 40
Professor Wall
December 2, 2012
One of every dozen U.S. children and teenagers -- 5.2 million -- has a physical or mental disability, according to new figures from the 2000 Census that reflect sharp growth in the nation 's young handicapped population over the past decade (Cohn, 2002). Everyone, at any time, is at risk to acquire a disability, whether through an illness, an injury, or genetics. What is a disability? What is the difference between disability and handicap? A disability is a functional limitation a person has that interferes with the person’s physical or cognitive development and a handicap is a condition imposed on a person with disabilities by society, the physical environment, or the person’s attitude (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2009). There are three different categories used to classify an individual with a disability. They are: physical, mental, or behavioral performance levels that are different than the norm. They can be higher or lower (Slavin, 2012). Individuals with disabilities require further assistance to help aid in the learning process based on their specific needs.
Every child deserves to earn an education no matter what their circumstances are. In 1975, Congress passed Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act), now known as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This law required public schools which received federal funds to provide equal educational opportunities to children with physical and mental disabilities (Wright, 2004). In 2001, The No Child Left Behind Act was enacted, which was intended to make sure no child falls through the cracks in the system, but it was primarily aimed to help the nation 's poor and minority children. “As it turns out, the national graduation rate is not the widely broadcast eighty five percent. In our public schools, the correct figure is
References: Afifi, T.O., Asmundson, G.J.,McMillan, K.A., & Sareen, J. (2011). Relationship between household income and mental disorders: Findings from a population-based longitudinal study Autism Comprehensive Educational Services. (2012). Services. Retrieved online from http://www.acesaba.com/services.html Blackorby, J., & Wagner, M. (1996). Students with disabilities who drop out of school— implications for policy and practice Cortiella, C. (2006). What parents of students with disabilities need to know and do. National Center on Educational Outcome Hallahan, D.P., Kauffman, J.M., & Pullen, P.C. (2009). Exceptional learners: Introduction to special education Hensel, R. (2009). A collection of famous and not so famous interesting quotes regarding disability and health related disabilities Knapp, M.S. (2001). Educational psychology: Theory and practice. Boston, MA: Pearson. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2012). Missouri schools for the severely disabled Saint Joseph School District. (2012). St. Joseph school district programs. Retrieved online from http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Page/6730 Swanson, C.B. (2004). The new math on graduation rates. Urban Institute. Retrieved online from http://www.urban.org/publications/1000675.html U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2006). Facts sheet. Retrieved online from http://www.hhs.gov/news/factsheet/disable.html Wilkins, J. (2000). Educational psychology: Theory and practice. Boston, MA: Pearson. Wright, P. (2004). Special education law. Hartfield, VA: Harbor House Law Press. Wright, P. (2004). No child left behind. Hartfield, VA: Harbor House Law Press.