During the last 10 years or so, I had many special ed kids added to my class as part of the least restricted environment part of their IEP's. Each year the kids that were added had more severe disabilities. Although I agree that students should be included as much as possible in a regular classroom environment, I often felt frustrated and totally unprepared for their inclusion. I was not trained to work with these kids. I never took any special ed classes in either my undergrad or masters program, as this was not an area of interest, nor did I expect to have the need. I was on a learn as you go basis, and if not for one special education teacher's very much appreciated assistance, I could have floundered. I never felt it was right to have someone like me, untrained, not certified in special education, and with no prior experience be responsible for the best care for these kids. I made it through each year, and I loved these kids just as much as any (after all, every child has special needs), but I always worried that I was doing them a disservice in some way. There were a couple of years, I felt too, that the non-certified kids got the short end, as so much of my time and energies were spent on the included kids. These were years that I had 3 or more certified kids in the class with pretty high learning disabilities, and one year with a child with some severe behavioral issues.
Before anyone jumps on me, I very strongly believe that all children deserve the best education possible. I also believe that children with special needs do benefit greatly from inclusion with others that aren't certified as special need children, and I think those children benefit from having them in their classrooms as well. I learned a lot working with these kids, tried to do my best, and found their successes rewarding as hell. My only concerns were my qualifications, failing them in my inexperience, and the few times that I felt they interfered with the education of the other children in the class.
The article brought to mind how often special needs kids are done a great disservice, especially when they are placed in classrooms where teachers are overwhelmed, under-trained, and either unmotivated or unable, due to overcrowding, underfunding, etc. to learn how best to help them get the education they need.
In reading the main post, I was struck by how insane it was for penalizing this educator for trying to do the right thing for the kids, and the loss of a great teacher. What a shame.
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