Special Education Services Method

Special Education services are delivered using two primary methods the Cascade of Services approach or the Full Inclusion technique. Each method has its own benefits and pitfalls as well as specific components. There has been no decision as to which method is superior and often these methods are used in the same educational setting based on the needs of the individual.
The Cascade of Services method was developed in the 1970s by Evelyn Deno to serve as a diagnostic filter. This method has seven layers with the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with the greatest number of students at the top. This layer is the regular classroom with every child learning in that classroom despite their need for special education. The next level has the student attending general education classes but also leaving that classroom for supplemental instruction. The third level is a resource room where the child leaves the general education classroom and goes to a space with a special education instructor to receive extra assistance. Level four is more restrictive by requiring the student spend their time in a specialized room inside the regular school. The fifth level
is a specialized school for example the WV School for the Deaf and Blind. The next level is a residential setting where the student lives full time and receives specialized care. The final level is hospitalization and is of course the most restrictive. The advantage of this method is that it ensures that students receive the help they need in the Least Restrictive Environment possible. A disadvantage is once a student is labeled as needed special education services it can be difficult for them to work up to their full academic potential as they can become stuck at that level. Correspondingly, children are removed from regular education classes to work on areas they need special education assistance missing the instruction.

The Full Inclusion technique the continuation of the Regular Education Initiative (REI), using the same resources in the same classroom as children without special education needs.
A student with special needs despite the severity of their disability, remains in the regular education classroom and the resources that student needs is brought into the classroom. These resources can include a special education teacher, aid, specialized equipment. The benefit of this method is that it ensures the student is in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), the regular classroom. It also aids students’ development with social skills as well as academic skills. The disadvantages are the lack of qualified personal and some experts say it places the special needs student as well as the regular education students at a
disadvantage.
These methods both look for the best way to support the student by placing them in the LRE. The Cascade of Services approach takes the child to the service, by moving the student from the regular education classroom into the special education environment based on the amount of intervention the student requires. Whereas the Full Inclusion method brings the special education services to the student in the regular classroom regardless of the severity of the student’s disability.