Educating Students With Exceptionalities

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May 6, 2023
1 Legislation and litigation both play crucial roles in ensuring that students with exceptionalities receive the education and support they need. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary federal law affecting special education, mandating that all students with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complements IDEA by prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment and communication. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is also significant in the education of exceptional learners, as it seeks to raise standards and improve educational outcomes for all students. Litigation, or lawsuits, contribute to the interpretation and application of these laws (Winnick & Porretta, 2016). Parents may sue to ensure that their children receive appropriate special education services or to challenge decisions about the identification, placement, or educational environment for their child with exceptionalities.
2 Over the years, special education and general education reforms and programs have played an instrumental role in shaping the experiences of students with exceptionalities. These reforms primarily aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of education for such students, emphasizing the adoption of inclusive practices and fostering collaboration between special and general educators. Consequently, students with exceptionalities have witnessed an expansion in opportunities to learn in tandem with their non-disabled peers (DeMatthews et al., 2020). This has been facilitated by the increased availability of appropriate accommodations and modifications, which has led to greater access to the general curriculum. As a result, the educational outcomes for students with exceptionalities have improved significantly, with these individuals now experiencing higher levels of academic achievement, personal growth, and social integration.
3 The diverse needs and conditions of students with exceptionalities necessitate classification into various categories to facilitate appropriate support and intervention. These categories encompass a wide range of exceptionalities, such as learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, communication disorders, sensory impairments, and physical disabilities, among others. The nature of these exceptional conditions and their impact on individuals can be highly variable, influencing different aspects of their lives to varying degrees. For instance, a student's cognitive, emotional, ...