what is special education

Special education is a range of services that help children with disabilities learn and make progress in school. It is not a "one size fits all" approach, but rather tailored to meet the needs of individual children. Special education includes specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. This instruction can be conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings. Special education focuses on helping children with disabilities learn, but it doesnt mean placing them in a special classroom all day long. In fact, federal law says that children who receive special education services should learn in the same classrooms as other children as much as possible. The services and supports for one student may be very different from those of another student, and its all about the individual child and giving them the resources they need to make progress in school. Children who qualify for special education have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) . The IEP includes a description of a students current level of educational performance, information on how his or her disability influences academic performance, and details needed adaptations and accommodations. Special education aims to provide accommodated education for disabled students such as learning disabilities, communication disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, and other disabilities.