Spread the loveThe United States is currently beset by issues of various proportions, one of the most significant of which is the school system’s crisis. School closures, uneven access, budget cuts, and commercialization have a slow but significant impact on pre-kindergarten to K-12 and higher education students. Let us look at some of the United States educational system areas that fail most students. Education As a Commodity Our educational system has become commodified in recent years, particularly in higher education institutions such as universities, at the expense of students’ inherent values. In many American institutions, each student is viewed as a customer who is just […]

Spread the loveOne of the most common difficulties that school districts face is a dearth of qualified candidates for critical-need teaching positions. STEM and special education educators are frequently included. Special education has the highest rate of turnover and burnout of the two. As a former special education teacher, I thought I’d provide some light on why I believe this occurs based on my own experiences. Stacks of paperwork One of the most challenging aspects of being a special education teacher is the mounds of paperwork you must perform in addition to your usual obligations. Many nights and weekends have […]

Spread the loveAs special education program management and implementation fall under the purview of individual states, it is of great concern to the federal government when there are indications of inadequate management and implementation of special education programs in any state. The state of Virginia has been under scrutiny for its approach to special education, leading to growing federal concerns about the state’s special education programs. Firstly, there have been concerns about the tendency to over-identify students for special education in Virginia. Over-identification of students in need of special education services can lead to the diversion of resources meant to […]

Spread the loveIf you are looking to resolve a dispute between parents and school officials about a student’s educational needs, mediation may be the best option for you. There are a few key things to keep in mind when participating in mediation, including the fact that it is a voluntary process. Generally, mediation is a way to help parties reach a resolution without going to court. The mediator will work with each party to find a solution that is acceptable to all involved. The mediator may be a neutral third party, such as a retired judge or lawyer, or a […]

Spread the loveOne of the most pressing issues facing the American education system is the achievement gap between special education students and their peers. Special education students, by definition, are those who require extra support to succeed academically due to learning disabilities or other challenges. And while they represent a diverse group of students, they all share a common obstacle: they are more likely to struggle academically, with a lower graduation rate and lower scores on standardized tests. Closing the achievement gap for special education students is a complex and difficult task, one that requires concerted efforts from educators, policymakers, […]