Special Needs Education Essay -- Special Education, mentally retarded

One of the most controversial issues facing educators today is the topic of educating students with disabilities, specifically through the concept of inclusion. Inclusion is defined as having every student be a part of the classroom all working together no matter if the child has a learning disability or not (Farmer) (Inclusion: Where We’ve Been.., 2005, para. 5). The mentally retarded population has both a low IQ and the inability to perform everyday functions. Activities such as eating, dressing, walking, and in some cases, talking can be hopeless for a child with mental retardation. Schooling for the disabled requires a special environment—one that only a few teachers have the gift to care for. Instead of looking out for the child’s needs, the government is focused on passing test grades and social skills. Mentally retarded children require a highly trained special education teacher, patience for behavioral issues, and are also required to pass standardized tests; public education for these students move at a faster pace than they can comprehend and lack the personal focus that they would otherwise get in a special needs classroom. The first special education students included the deaf, blind, and later the mentally retarded. If a person was cursed with mental retardation, it was commonly believed to be a demonic possession (Farmer) (Inclusion: Where We’ve Been.., 2005, para. 2). . It wasn’t until the twentieth century that these students were being taught in an educational environment. Realizing that the mentally disabled needed a unique education, the government began taking action. In the 1990’s, the federal and supreme courts began taking an interest in improving special education. Laws began coming into effect almost ... ...c. 2000. 239-259. Washington University School of Law. 17 Mar 2011. Farmer, Marie S. â€Å"Inclusion: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, Where We’re Going.† Mar 2005. Georgia College & State University. 17 Mar 2011. Harchik, Alan. â€Å"Including Children with Special Needs in Regular Classrooms: Pros and Cons† News for Parents. 2005. May Institute. 18 Mar 2011. Lazarus, Belinda D. â€Å"What is Inclusion?† Making Inclusion Work. Feb 2001. University of Michigan-Dearborn. 18 Mar 2011. Le Fave, Dominic. No Child Left Behind and Special Education Explained. 23 Aug 2010. Philosophographlux. 29 Mar 2011.