An exceptional student is one whose educational needs are not being met by a traditional program so that a special education program is necessary.
An exceptional student can have a disability or have significant gifts and talents.
The terms handicap, impairment, and disability are not synonymous.
How Many Exceptional Students Are There?
Prevalence refers to the number of individuals who are in a particular category at a specific point in time and is expressed as a percentage. Incidence refers to the number of individuals identified in a particular category within a specific time frame (generally a year).
The prevalence rate for exceptional students is approximately 15% or about 8 million students from kindergarten through grade 12.
Over 90% of students identified under IDEA fall into the categories of learning disabilities (45.2%), speech or language impairments (19.9%), other health impairments (9.4%), mental retardation (8.1%), and emotional disturbance (7.8%).
What Are Special Education and Related Services?
Special education refers to instruction specifically designed to meet the needs of exceptional students.
Special education involves four components: instructional content, instructional procedures, the instructional environment, and instructional technology.
Each component should emphasize the concept of universal design.
Related services are those activities or services that enable a child with a disability to receive a free, appropriate public education and to benefit from the special education program.
What Is the History of Special Education?
Documentation of the existence of exceptional individuals has been provided since the beginning of recorded history.
Attempts to provide humane treatment were not made until the 18th and 19th centuries, primarily by European physicians such as Jean Marc Itard.
In the mid-1800s, attempts to educate individuals with visual impairments, hearing impairments, and mental retardation began in the United States.
In the 1900s, parent advocates, professionals, and eventually litigation and legislation furthered the cause of individuals with disabilities.
How Has Litigation and Legislation Affected Special Education?
Important early court cases related to special education include PARC v. Pennsylvania and Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
Important legislation includes PL 94-142 and its various amendments and reauthorizations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the No Child Left Behind Act have had an impact on individuals with disabilities.
The special education law that guides current practice is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 04).
Key provisions of IDEA 04 are free, appropriate public education, Child Find, individualized education programs, the least restrictive environment, procedural guidelines, evaluation procedures, transition from Part C to preschool programs, and participation in assessments.
What Are Some Current and Future Issues in Special Education?
Issues in special education include the overidentification of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the emphasis on the education and transition of infants and toddlers with disabilities, and the important role of general education teachers.
