Special Education Debate

Overview & Synopsis

Based on state and federal statistics, minority students are not being over identified for Special Education, the students in Special Education have a lower dropout rate than the students in general education, and students in Special Education show growth towards closing their learning gap. There are three controversial issues concerning Special Education and achievement. First is the concern that minority groups are over identified as Special Needs. The data indicates this may be occurring to some degree, but has lessened in the last few decades for some groups. Then there are the twin issues of closing the achievement gap between Special Education and regular education students and eventual high school graduation rates for Special Needs students. The new high school exit exam requirements heighten concerns of these issues. These topics are tackled herein through a pro and con debate. Natalie Bogg completed the Con side and Pro Rebuttal and Vernette Hansen completed the Pro side and Con Rebuttal.