What Exactly Does "Special Ed" Mean?

Question

Is it specifically meant for students who have learning disorders is it meant to imply there is mentally challenged issues too?

I'm asking that because not all learning disorders come with being mentally challenged as I know a few kids with dyslexia who's minds are normal.

Answer 1

Hi!

"Special Education" in our state refers to a course of education for any child who requires an I.E.P. or "individualized education plan". An I.E.P. contains information as needed such as personal growth and educational goals, accommodations, behavior management and discipline strategies, you name it.

Kids can get an I.E.P. for a whole host of reasons: dyslexia, Asperger's or autism, specific content issues, emotional problems such as intermittent rage disorder, a need for gifted or talented education, etc. All it means is that a child's specific needs cannot be met by the general, common process that serves most.

The special education label by itself cannot be taken as positive or negative, not can it be viewed as a flag that there are general, widespread issues with any particular child. All it can be taken to mean at face value is that the child in question has needs that cannot be met through the regular course of study.

Answer 2

Special Education is where a child has an individually planned program in a setting that has special equipment and materials, teaching procedures, and other interventions designed to help student learn, basic education, life skills etc, achieving the greatest possible personal out comes and success in school and community.

Students with special needs, can have learning difficulties, mental health issues, physical disabilities and or developmental disabilities.

Dyslexia students don't usually need special education, but they do need specific learning strategies to learn. Many dyslexics are highly intelligent, but their brain process the information it sees, making it difficult to read and write.

I am dyslexic, with a very high IQ, but I have trouble reading, so I have specific learning strategies, including computer programs to help with reading if needed.

Answer 3

"class for obama" is the technical term i think

Answer 4

Special Education refers to anyone who needs "special" treatment for their education, because they are learning disabled, mentally challenged, behaviorally challenged, ADHD, have speech or language impairments, or even physical impairments.  It is a huge "umbrella" term, and there is a lot of discussion as to its fairness.  

To classify as learning disabled, a person must have normal IQ, except for rare cases where there is a mild mental impairment but learning ability falls far below expected. (In technical terms, the learning ability must fall 2 standard deviations below IQ)

Hope this cleared things up a little for you.